Peace is most obviously defined by the absence of war, violence and fear.
Yet peace is not merely the absence of harmful things. In 1963, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. described true peace as not merely the absence of tension; it is the "presence of justice."
Researchers increasingly distinguish between "negative peace" (the absence of violence) and "positive peace" (the attitudes, institutions and structures that create flourishing societies).
The Institute for Economics and Peace identifies eight pillars of Positive Peace:
- Well-Functioning Government
- Sound Business Environment
- Equitable Distribution of Resources
- Acceptance of the Rights of Others
- Good Relations with Neighbours
- Free Flow of Information
- High Levels of Human Capital
- Low Levels of Corruption
Together, these pillars encompass many of the things that help communities thrive: democracy, education, health, equity, inclusion, human rights, transparency, social cohesion and economic opportunity.
At the Canadian Peace Museum, we believe peaceful societies require healthy people, a healthy planet, functioning democracy, fairness, belonging and kindness. Peace is connected to climate resilience, environmental stewardship, Indigenous reconciliation, equity and inclusion, human rights, education, community wellbeing and access to trustworthy information. Our museum explores the many conditions that enable peace to flourish and the actions individuals and communities can take to strengthen it.
