Promoting Peace Through Understanding in Youth

A Junior United Nations

     My proposed Junior United Nations organization would include teenagers from around the world, promoting peace through understanding among young people. After all, it is the youth of today who will become either the peacemakers or terrorists of tomorrow.

     I really believe that peace can be promoted through understanding among the youth of different countries of the world. One of the main reasons for hatred among people is the lack of understanding and acceptance of other views and beliefs. Additionally, the children of some countries are taught to look in a negative light upon people of other countries, religions, or nationalities by their parents or influences from society. They may be influenced to dislike, hate, or even hurt others through acts of terrorism.

     I am proud to have been a part of the People to People organization which was started by President Eisenhower to increase understanding of other cultures by sending American students overseas to visit and become educated on different cultures and people of the world. We even have one-on-one interactions with families of these countries. Through this organization, and my idea of a Junior United Nations, the youth of countries around the world would be able to develop an understanding and acceptance of others and realize how similar we and all of our goals in life really are.

-December 2002