What it is
Conflict and war mean using weapons, military power, and violence by governments or groups to reach specific goals. These goals include taking land and resources like oil or water, controlling wealth, or ruling over other people. However, peace is more than just stopping physical violence, which is called negative peace. True and lasting stability, known as positive peace, needs equality, inclusion, and fair treatment for everyone.
Wars do not happen by chance. They begin because of unfair systems, greed, and unequal power. A war between nations can affect local communities far away by causing high food prices, increasing the number of refugees, and creating racial prejudice against people connected to a fighting country. Therefore, building peace requires more than ending violence. It depends on building trust and understanding, repairing damage, and protecting equal rights for all people.
Personal stories
Delphine's story: Delphine is a high school student living in a quiet town in Belgium. She never thought a war far away would affect her daily routine. However, when a conflict broke out abroad, her family's energy bills doubled, and her local bakery had to raise prices on bread due to rising wheat costs. Soon after, a family escaping the war moved into Delphine's apartment building.
At first, some neighbours were nervous and avoided them because of rumours on social media. Delphine decided to volunteer at a local community centre to help the family learn French. She saw firsthand how a distant war brings real challenges—and opportunities for kindness—right to her doorstep.
Hassan's story: Hassan lives in a city where a major war ended three years ago. The soldiers stopped shooting, and a ceasefire was signed, bringing an end to the daily bombs. However, Hassan quickly learned that stopping the fighting was not enough. His school is still damaged, clean drinking water is hard to find, and local police treat his ethnic group with suspicion.
Even though there is no physical fighting, Hassan lives with constant fear and limited opportunities. For Hassan, true peace means more than just surviving a war—it requires fair treatment, equal rights, and a safe community where everyone can rebuild their lives.
Some broader issues
Unfair power and inequality: Wars often start because powerful groups control land, money, and political power, leaving minority groups with very little. When people suffer from poverty and unfair treatment for a long time, violence can break out. Additionally, the international arms trade makes money by selling weapons to fighting groups, causing conflicts to last much longer.
Negative vs. positive peace: Experts separate peace into two types: negative peace and positive peace. Negative peace focuses on stopping physical fighting, such as signing a ceasefire. However, fear and unfair laws may remain, keeping the risk of new conflict high. Positive peace works to remove the root causes of war, such as poverty, racism, religious hatred, and political corruption.
Human rights and vulnerable groups: War harms vulnerable people the most. Women, children, refugees, and indigenous groups suffer deeply from violence, being forced from their homes, and lost rights. To build lasting peace, these groups need protection, emotional support, and an active voice in rebuilding their society after conflict.
War crimes and international justice: During armed conflict, international law strictly forbids deliberate attacks on civilians, medical workers, schools, and hospitals. When soldiers or leaders commit severe acts—such as torture, illegal destruction of property, or targeting non-combatants—these are classified as war crimes. International courts work to bring these individuals to justice. Holding individuals accountable for war crimes is essential to bring justice to victims, prevent future atrocities, and protect human rights during times of war.
The connection between global conflicts and local life: A distant war can create direct local problems worldwide. Global food and fuel prices may rise quickly. Local communities in nearby countries must support arriving refugees, which creates challenges with housing, language, education, and jobs. Wars can also increase racism and hate speech toward specific people living in local communities.
Historical memory and local action in Japan: In Japan, local peace education often focuses on Article 9 of the Constitution and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. While honouring history is essential, lasting peace requires present-day action—such as welcoming local refugees, combating discrimination, and caring for war survivors.
(1) Global conflicts: 世界で起こっている紛争問題、どこの国や地域で起こっている？国と原因を一覧で見てみよう
(2) Humanitarian crisis: 「ガザで見たことを世界に」──最後に退去した国際スタッフが語る、人びとに託された願い
(3) Russia-Ukraine war: BBC. (no date). Ukraine War. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/topics/c1vw6q14rzqt
(4) Myanmar civil war: Human Rights Watch. (2026). Myanmar: Events of 2025. https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2026/country-chapters/myanmar
(5) Gaza: The Guardian. (27 September 2026). Gaza: a week in the life of five ordinary Palestinians. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/ng-interactive/2026/sep/26/gaza-a-week-in-the-life-of-five-ordinary-palestinians
(6) Israel-Palestine conflict: Al Jazeera. (no date). Israel-Palestine Conflict. https://www.aljazeera.com/tag/israel-palestine-conflict/
(1) Exiled populations: France 24 English. (19 September 2025). Inside Thailand’s ‘little Burma’, a refuge for Myanmar’s exiles. (5 minutes 24 seconds). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPElXBY9jFo
(2) War orphans: Channel Four News. (25 October 2024). Surviving war: A day in the life of one of Gaza’s 20,000 new orphans. (10 minutes, 14 seconds). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S871wBrfd7s
(3) Post-conflict displacement: DW News. (15 November 2025). Returning to Syria: Between loss and hope. (12 minutes 32 seconds). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1i1fIg1ioiA
What do you find interesting, surprising, or worrying about Conflicts, War, and Peace issues?
What specific issue do you want to research further regarding Conflicts, War, and Peace? Why?
What focus do you want to take in your inquiry:
Individual: Personal experiences and perspectives
Local: Situations and issues in a local community, town, or city
Organisational: Actions taken by local or regional organisations
Systemic: Law, policy, human rights, or international frameworks
Combined: A mixture of multiple angles
4. Write down your initial research questions and your next steps.