Each year on September 21, the world marks the International Day of Peace as a reminder of our shared responsibility to build societies where peace is not only the absence of war, but the active presence of justice, inclusion, and dignity for all.

In 2025, this call feels more urgent than ever. Conflicts are breaking out across multiple continents, deepening human suffering and eroding trust in international cooperation. At the same time, global investment in infrastructures for peace, such as dialogue platforms, mediation mechanisms, youth peacebuilding initiatives, and inclusive governance structures, is shrinking. Aid budgets are being cut, and resources are increasingly diverted toward armament and ‘defence’. 

We stand at a crossroads.

ASFIT believes firmly that peace is the only path to prosperity and sustainable development. But peace is not simply defined by the absence of violent conflict. True peace exists where:

• Institutions are inclusive, fair, and accountable.
• Human rights and freedoms are respected and protected.
• Democracies are functioning and participatory.
• Communities are healthy, resilient, and empowered.
• The environment is clean and safeguarded for future generations.
• Justice is accessible, equitable, and impartial.