Letter to the Editor — What we mean by peace

For Akbayan, peace means the absence of war. Peace exists when violence no longer plays a determining role in resolving conflicts between governments and citizens, between peoples, and, between nations. Peace thrives on the principles of tolerance, pluralism, and, respect for human rights and diverse cultures.

Peace, however, is not only about the absence of war but the presence and/or the creation of conditions that promote full human and societal development. Even without war, there can be no peace if poverty, inequality and injustice persist. Peace should not be equated with maintaining a status quo meant to reproduce a non-egalitarian society. Often, the causes of war and violence lie in the systemic flaws of this kind of society. Peace that does not promote equality and justice is, at best, a flawed peace.

To achieve peace, there has to be development and equal access to the fruits of development.

Peace is freedom from fear and violence in the streets and in the homes. For Akbayan, there can be no peace if women continue to experience violence by virtue of their being women. Akbayan believes that patriarchy, not just war or poverty, is a source of oppression particularly for women. There can be no peace if the structures of patriarchy continue to subjugate women and if human relationships continue to be embedded in a culture of machismo.

Peace is not about the absence of struggle but the presence of a culture of pluralism and democracy. Peace is not about the absence of conflict but the availability of peaceful means to conflict resolution. Peace is about political processes and institutional arrangements making room for varying views, needs, cultures, lifestyles, and, respecting civil/political liberties and human rights. This is what we mean by "peaceful politics".

For Akbayan, peace is both means and end. Akbayan believes that human security should be the over-arching framework upon which peace and development should be pursued. Not global or national security over human security. In keeping with the universal declaration of human rights, Akbayan believes that the rights-based approach to peace building is the best way to achieve peace.

Ernie Edralin
Akbayan Party List