The importance of peace builders

We too often take our democratic stability, the rule of law, social justice and social cohesion, long considered pillars of lasting peace, for granted. Sadly, discourse on social media has grown increasingly harsh, normalising insults, resentment and misinformation.

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At the start of 2026, peace feels more urgent, and more fragile, than ever.

From the devastating scenes in Ukraine to the genocide in Gaza, to conflicts in Sudan and numerous others that failed to make the headlines, aggression and human suffering continue to scar and traumatise millions of innocent people.

In Malta, although we never underwent such traumatic experiences, except those who went through the ordeals of World War II, we too often take our democratic stability, the rule of law, social justice and social cohesion, long considered pillars of lasting peace, for granted.

This assumption is perilous.

Peace is fragile while social cohesion and democratic stability are neither self-sustaining nor automatically guaranteed.

Social cohesion can be maintained not only with well-refined words but also with a consistent and deliberate commitment by peace builders.

What does being a peace builder entail?

First, a peace builder is not someone who avoids conflict and/or chooses silence for the sake of maintaining peace. This is artificial ‘peace’, which will not last long. As the young US poet, Amanda Gorman, said: “We have learned that quiet is not always peace.” How true.

Disagreements are inevitable in any healthy democracy. Competing views strengthen democratic life and diversity of opinion should be encouraged and fostered. Only authoritarian regimes suppress pluralism of thought. However, a peace builder handles disagreements responsibly through dialogue, understanding, restraint, compromises and through well-established lawful structures.

Our political turbulence during the 1980s was an eye-opener. Our past political polarisation and rigid political posturing undermined our social cohesion and democratic life. Thus, the relative political stability we enjoy today is not accidental but it was achieved through deliberate choices: strengthening of institutions, rejecting political violence and prioritising national cohesion over partisan petty gain.

Many agree that reverting to those turbulent years would be sheer madness.

Secondly, enduring peace and social cohesion requires that every citizen takes an active role in society. How can citizens, longing for peace and social cohesion, remain silent, indifferent or unconcerned when faced with systematic sleaze and disdain towards the rule of law? How can one validate social injustice, inequality, discrimination, impunity and unlawfulness?

Peace and social cohesion cannot endure when our citizens are allured to the mentality of “as long as it’s not in my backyard”. On the contrary, peace builders are active citizens who do not sit pretty on the fence but assertively stand up to be counted when the common good is at stake.

Peace builders are also citizens who engage responsibly on social media. Sadly, discourse on social media has grown increasingly harsh, normalising insults, resentment and misinformation.

Thirdly, while every citizen ought to be a peace builder, politicians and community leaders bear a heightened responsibility, as they are entrusted with serving as guardians and moral compasses. Accordingly, our role is not to inflame divisions, act as rabble-rousers or protect the interests of a few at the expense of the well-being of the many. Those who do otherwise corrode public trust and undermine peace at its very foundation.

It is only when the common good is actively safeguarded and promoted through just policies, ethical leadership and inclusive decision-making that social cohesion can endure.

Fourthly, peace building also requires inclusion. It is important that minority groups who feel marginalised or unfairly treated are integrated into mainstream society. Whether the issue concerns corruption, environmental degradation, human rights, migration or economic inequality, one must engage constructively with these groups.

Injustice left unaddressed will fester on, only to become resentment, and resentment is fertile ground for instability.

Such responsibilities do not stop at Malta’s borders. Malta has long presented itself as a bridge-builder, committed to dialogue and humanitarian principles. Although Malta cannot resolve global conflicts alone, it can choose consistency and moral clarity. Being a peace-building nation means promoting international law, ensuring humanitarian access and insisting on accountability regardless of political conveniences.

Although 2026 will offer its challenges, both locally and internationally, may we all have the courage and determination to be, in our own way, peace builders.

Only then can we have peace.

(This article was published on Times of Malta – 14 January, 2026)