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Remembrance Day

It's been 107 years since World War I, the "war to end all wars," ceased hostilities on November 11, 1911. An estimated 15-22 million people died in the war – 4% of the world's population – sparking a widespread, global movement that "never again" would we wage global war. But in 2025, we still solve far too many civil and international disputes with arms instead of diplomacy.

Here are some compelling reasons to never again go to war:

    1. Ending war would save millions of lives.
    2. Ending war would save trillions of dollars - a day.
    3. Nonviolent resistance works - twice as often as violent resistance.
    4. Nonviolent resistance brings longer-lasting peace than violent uprisings.
    5. Nonviolent resistance improves democracy and well-being compared with violent resistance.

     

    There would be no more reason to go to war if we invested a fraction of our global military spending on human and environmental well-being instead of war. I am especially concerned about President Trump's call to increase NATO contributions from participating countries from 2 to 5% of their GDP. That's a move in the wrong direction.

     

    The encouring fact is that we have the power to change this. First, we should learn about, and share, what Harvard professor Erica Chenoweth has discovered - that peaceful resistance to injustice works much better than armed resistance, and that once popular movements reach 3.5% of the population, they have never failed in the last 100 years. Let's recruit 3.5% of the world's population to pursuing peace, not war; to be inclusive, not divisive; to only act in other countries for that country's well-being. That is the proven way to combat injustice.

    CryPeace contributes to peace by training trainers to teach our free, certified, peace education curriculum for teenagers. This gives them practical skills and hands-on practice solving conflicts with their peers peacefully, and respect for others and the environment. These life skills will give them valuable experience for promoting peaceful communities when they grow up.

    How can you help create the peace you long to see in the world? Here are some ideas:

    • Review our curriculum and see if it is relevant for your context.
    • Tell your government to invest 5% in the drivers of positive peace, not NATO.
    • Join a group that is advocating for diplomacy, not war, especially in active conflicts.
    • Learn more about waging peace, and share your knowledge with others.
    • Actively care for your local environment.

    In other words, let's be One Global Family.

     

    Recommended resources:

     

    Date: 
    Tuesday, November 11, 2025