Chapter 16: Constructing A Global Ethic of Universal Love, Forgiveness, and Reconciliation: The Role of Peace Education in the Twenty-First Century

How can killings on earth be stopped? What universal values do we need to abide by in order achieve global peace? Currently, we are facing greater dangers than ever: we are being threatened by an ever-escalating fear for wars, terrorist threats and conflicts. Countries are building up weapons of mass destruction, spending more than $1,000 billion a year to arm themselves to the teeth. The effort to build long-lasting peace is often boggled down by disagreement among nations and groups due to perceived national needs and difference in values. The fundamental principles that are needed for achieving peace have been discussed but no consensus has ever been reached. In recent years, people from around the world have echoed the need for a global ethic, calling for a set of abiding values to be held among all people and nations.