How can just one or a few persons contribute to peace and justice?

At CPNN we have carried many articles showing that the actions of one or a few persons can contribute substantially to peace and justice.

The initial action may seem insignificant and futile, but if it inspires others to join in, the individual action and grow into a social movement.

A good example is the story of Greta Thunberg.

As described in the CPNN article about the social movement Fridays for the Future, it all began with what seemed at the time like an insignificant and futile act by Greta Thunberg, a 15-year old girl who had been labeled as autistic.

It all started in August 2018, when Greta began a school strike for climate. In the three weeks leading up to the Swedish election, she sat outside Swedish Parliament every school day, demanding urgent action on the climate crisis. She was tired of society’s unwillingness to see the climate crisis for what it is: a crisis.

To begin with, she was alone, but she was soon joined by others. On the 8th of September, Greta and her fellow school strikers decided to continue their strike until the Swedish policies provided a safe pathway well under 2° C, i.e. in line with the Paris agreement. They created the hashtag #FridaysForFuture, and encouraged other young people all over the world to join them. This marked the beginning of the global school strike for climate.

Here are the CPNN articles that touch on this subject:

USA: Graduation speeches for the cause of Palestine

The artists Mira Awad and Noa: voices for peace in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict

Nikolai Firjubin, Founder of UNOY Youth Peace Network

UNESCO: How can young people become actors of peace?

Colombian Civic Leader Offers a Grassroots Strategy for Peace

A song for peace

Celebrating Rachel Corrie

Yurii Sheliazhenko: Peace in Ukraine: Humanity Is at Stake

Nobel Peace Prize 2023: PRIO Director’s Shortlist Announced

Mr. Rajagopal P. V. to receive the Niwano Peace Prize

Teen peace prize winner on a mission to give Japanese youth a voice