While there are articles written every day that address some aspect of peace as an issue, there is a general lack of coordination that creates the circumstance where peace may never be achieved. This is because uncoordinated efforts often become simply good intentions that have little or no effect on the problem and, sometimes, may be even detrimental to the cause.
Ironically, the example of a method for a coordinated approach towards peace can be found in the way militaries prepare for war. Well-trained militaries create a strategy for accomplishing an objective, institute the necessary command and control structures to support the operation and then coordinate resources towards executing the strategy. Within the overall objective, many minor objectives are established and their corresponding strategies developed. For each strategy, tactics must be created, tasks must be identified that support the tactics, and for each task the necessary skill must be trained to mastery in order to complete the chain of events that lead to victory. Of course, victory is heavily reliant on the soundness of the overall strategy, training and the competency of the leaders executing the strategy. But, nevertheless, the comparison is relevant.
Today's efforts toward peace are well intentioned and often scholarly in their approach; but strategy is lacking, resources are scattered, and training is nonstandard. The result is that there are disconnected tribes of peacemakers and those calling themselves peacemakers fighting a losing battle against an entrenched ideology that sees peace as an unachievable objective. There are groups meditating for peace, groups rioting for peace, universities teaching peace, institutions established for peace, the United Nations talking about peace, hundreds of nonprofits with mission statements proclaiming their support of peace, and millions of people who want peace. Yet, despite those working for peace, the topic remains poorly defined in society and rarely discussed outside of academic circles.
This leads to the conclusion that without leadership and a powerful command and control structure, the development of coordinated strategies aimed at creating peace will continue to be ineffective to the cause. It will take more than art festivals, conferences, university peace programs and good intentions to find victory for peace. Conversely, those who believe that violent words and actions support the cause of peace, perpetuate the cycle of conflict.
The problem is complex, the terrain is vast and varied, and the enemy is deeply entrenched in ideology. Peace is not an effort that can be accomplished with disconnected well-intentioned groups with different minor uncomplimentary objectives. Peace needs one powerful voice.