Monrovia – The Center for Peace Education (CPE) has joined the global community in commemorating World Peace Day 2025 with a strong call for unity, healing, and renewed commitment to building a peaceful Liberia.
Speaking at a ceremony held Sunday, September 21, in East Road, Moulton Corner, Brewerville, CPE’s Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, N. Emmett Teage, emphasized that true success begins with a peaceful heart and mind. He described peace as “a characteristic of God that calms stormy situations and creates the foundation for sweet and pleasant relationships.”
World Peace Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1981 and is observed annually on September 21. The day calls for a global ceasefire and increased education and public awareness on issues related to peace.
Six Principles for Lasting Peace
Serving as guest speaker, Teage outlined six principles for addressing conflict and fostering genuine peace:
“Determine the Real Issue – Avoid losing sight of the root causes of conflict. Don’t Be Distracted by Symptoms – Address underlying problems instead of only visible effects. Deal with Problems Decisively – Confront wrongdoing directly, regardless of status or position. Don’t Retaliate to Personal Attacks – Surrender the urge for revenge. Don’t Be Defensive – Remain open to reconciliation instead of reacting with hostility. Decide to Forgive – Release grudges and allow healing through forgiveness.”
He stressed that peace in Liberia depends on love, respect, honesty, and the responsible management of resources. “We must learn to deal with conflicts in ways that build and unite us instead of engaging in things that will divide us,” Teage said.
Peace Education as a Necessity
Delivering a special peace message under the theme “Embracing Peace and Empowering a Brighter Future,” Ambassador Josephine K. Tonkala described peace as more than the absence of conflict.
“Peace education equips us with the skills to resolve conflicts constructively, to communicate effectively, and to foster inclusive environments,” Ambassador Tonkala said. “By working together, we can create a world where peace is not just a dream but a reality.”
Seventeen Years of Peacebuilding
Dr. Mainlehwon Ebenezer Vonhm, Founder and Executive Director of CPE, reflected on the organization’s 17 years of teaching peace education to youth affected by war and children growing up in post-conflict Liberia.
“Over the past 17 years, the Center has provided safe spaces for children and youth to process the trauma of war through a peace-focused curriculum that includes conflict resolution, emotional healing, and nonviolence,” Dr. Vonhm said. “Thousands of young people have been empowered to serve as peace ambassadors, contributing to a measurable reduction in violence in schools and communities.”
He urged the Government of Liberia to increase support for peace education, noting that “sustainable peace depends on cultivating a generation that values dialogue over violence and hope over fear.”
About the Center for Peace Education
The Center for Peace Education is a local non-governmental organization dedicated to building comprehensive peacebuilding programs in Liberia. It teaches mediation and conflict resolution as tools for fostering harmony, reconciliation, and a more peaceful future.
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