Amna Hameem Jawfer was awarded the Third Prize in 2020 for her essay: The Role of Young People in Bringing Peace

In society today, there are many animalistic and inhumane traits that we carry. Not only is it uncivilized, but unethical for the generations that follow. Many countries around the world, living in poverty or not, still encounter the same problem – the unjust, corrupt ways of resentment, war and segregation within their very own communities.

As the world population grows, it is more evident we need to preserve the beauty and picturesque surroundings that we take for granted every single day. From clean water flowing through our taps, through the accommodation of a warm home, to the comfort of knowing that we are safe: these may seem like the simplest of necessities. But in a world such as we have today, children are veiled from the true reality of the struggles around the world. 

As Maya Angelou says: “Hate has caused a lot of problems in this world, but it has not solved one yet”

With the increasing growth in violence, police brutality, terrorism and wars, it is more important than ever to fight for the people who are powerless to fight for their rights, individual liberty, and basic freedoms.

If we do not stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves, the world we live in will become a battle ground where the vulnerable will have no refuge, and the powerful will strengthen even more. It is up to the younger generations to fight for their families, their future, their well-being and for others who cannot. We are the ones who decide what fate we will choose; not only for us, but for the people around us who are struggling to find their voice and for the future generations to come.

Nowadays, children are stuck to technology, glued to their screens. It is not only unhealthy for them, but for the people around them. Who is going to fight for rights within the community? Who will finally realize that in this world there are many problems that need to be solved? As the younger generation, it is our duty to preserve the world and make it a better place, not only for us as humans but for the beautiful environment around us.

We are the future of our parents, a legacy that will follow. But for how long until the whole world is at war? How long until we won’t have clean water flowing through our taps? When we won’t have the accommodation of a warm home? When will we lose the sense of comfort in being safe?

If not now, then when will we fight for what is right in this world? We’re the next generation and we need to show the world that World Peace can be achieved. If we carry on living our lives like this, nothing will change the way we think, speak, or act. If we want to achieve world peace, we have to start together.

“World Peace must develop from inner peace. Peace isn’t the mere absence of violence. Peace is, I think, the manifestation of human compassion” – Dalai Lama