Positive Peace is a stable form of peace created by sustainable economic development, robust institutions, and supportive societal attitudes. It provides a framework for tackling global challenges more efficiently.
Last year, I had the privilege of participating as a Peace Activator with Rotary International and the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) strategic partnership focused on learning, facilitating, and promoting positive peace. This collaboration was grounded in IEP’s empirical research and provided valuable opportunities for the development of lasting peace.
This year, I also took and completed the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP) Ambassador Program, which combined the Global Peace Index (GPI), Global Terrorism Index (GTI), and the Ecological Threat Report (ETR), to confront the interrelation of the challenges, using as a response the interconnection of the eight pillars of positive peace (Well-functioning Government; Sound Business Environment; Low Levels of Corruption; High Levels of Human Capital; Free Flow of Information; Good Relations with Neighbors; Equitable Distribution of Resources; and Acceptance of the Rights of Others).
Both programs see peace as a process and a system versus a product or result, which helps to build capacity by aligning Positive Peace Activators and Positive Peace Ambassadors for building global connections and creating systemic change
The truth is that violence now costs $19.97 trillion globally—11.6% of GDP and about $2,455 per person—according to the 2024 Positive Peace Index, with $2.7 trillion spent on militarization. In fact, avoiding conflicts can lead to a boost in GDP of up to 25%. Countries that experienced increased positive peace experienced GDP growth rates more than double those of nations where peace worsened.
The Institute for Economic and Peace (IEP) points out that economic, social, cultural, and ecological challenges intensify tensions, making prevention far more effective than responding after problems arise. Therefore, it is essential to seek comprehensive solutions that tackle underlying causes rather than merely addressing symptoms.
One of the key lessons from the IEP Ambassador Program is the importance of identifying the underlying causes of conflict and fostering peacemakers by transforming attitudes, institutions, and structures to create harmonious societies. It’s important to note that the idea of positive peace is still unfamiliar to many. Therefore, raising awareness and understanding is an excellent starting point. By leveraging the unique strengths of organizations like Rotary and the Institute for Economics and Peace, and coordinating these with grassroots initiatives, positive peace can be used to actively involve local communities.
By emphasizing education and community programs, organizations like Rotary and the IEP network—including Positive Peace Activators, Peace Fellows, Action Groups for Peace, Ambassadors, Peace researchers, and local peace activators—can advance global peacebuilding efforts.
On a global scale, the Global Peace Index (GPI) provides a baseline that measures the effectiveness of a country’s capabilities to build and maintain peace. On the other hand, the Positive Peace Index uses eight crucial pillars to develop peaceful societies. These 8 pillars play a major role in creating positive peace.
Creating a Peacebuilding Culture.
Peace must start with oneself. Peace is more than just the cessation of conflict or the avoidance of it. I think that we can create peace by educating our communities, leading change by exercising peace-building initiatives, and providing opportunities to create a sense of community, a sense of belonging, and a sense of peaceful environments. I strongly believe these eight principles should be in our community DNA.
It is not about telling others what to know, what to say, or what to do. In other words, “before you try to fix something, ask first” to understand it. See what is needed both from your perspective and see it from the point of view of others. It is all about calling for unity by respecting and practicing listening skills to exercise effective communication and see things from other points of view.
It is all about inviting all voices to be heard, all community members to have a voice, and all decision-makers to be listening community leaders, stakeholders, and community members to use their minds (logic, ideas), hearts (passion and feelings), and bodies (hands and actions) to create human connections.
Another important lesson learned from the IEP Ambassador Program is that Peace Ambassadors must lead by facilitating discussions and creating a culture of dialogue without tellings anyone what to think or what to do, but by using a system thinking approach to looks for the roots causes of the main issues we face and allowing each community find their own solutions to their main issues, struggles or concerns.
More importantly, to validate others’ concerns, you should ask the people you engage with about their needs (instead of making assumptions). Positive peace asks oneself to recognize people’s skills and talents using a systems thinking approach instead of a hierarchical one. In other words, to use our position of privilege to create positive peace, which by default would bring positive mindsets and positive change.
The Positive Peace Ambassadors Program network has over 4,500 IEP-certified ambassadors from more than 150 countries to advance peace-building and global collaboration. Similarly, the Rotary-IEP Partnership has trained 379 Positive Peace Activators across 95 countries, who have delivered 1,411 initiatives and impacted over 15 million people through 14,125 hours of service.
The key element of both programs is a people-focused approach. It recognizes the dignity and the voices of all individuals and all communities. As a Global Peacebuilder, I really believe that it is time to create or recreate positive peace. "Positive peace must start with me, must start with you, and ultimately it must start with us," says Hector Ortiz, who is available to speak in your clubs about this topic.
Dr. Hector Ortiz
Rotarian, Positive Peace Activator
and IEP Positive Peace Ambassador