In this article, David Smith summarizes his case about nurturing our youth as peace builders and conflict resolvers through indirect action:
“It is in indirect action fields where the vast array of occupations that contribute to a functioning and vibrant society can be found: healthcare, business, the arts, science and technology, government, education, military service, and not for profit work. Indirect action careers are those where the prime objective is not necessarily resolving differences or building peace, but might though come about as an important by-product, and as a result improve conditions for those in need. The emergency room nurse who needs to comfort loved ones after trauma or must help foster better understanding between family members, or the athletic educator who comes to realize that there is a need to provide students with cooperative based activities rather than competitive ones, are both engaging in indirect action….
By helping young people recognize that peacebuilding and conflict resolution work can take place in every profession, we provide students with realistic and achievable goals. In addition, we ensure that the values of conflict resolution are inculcated across the career spectrum. We want every young person entering the labor market to believe that their skills in dealing with conflict will be appreciated where they start their careers….
For those of us seriously engaged in the work of peace, we need to make a priority spending time with youth of all ages to show them the possibilities of making a professional life in advancing the resolution and transformation of conflict. In this way, we are ensuring that there will be a cadre of dedicated professionals following us committed to the values of peacebuilding. This is an important legacy for us all.
David J. Smith is the author of Peace Jobs: A Student’s Guide to Starting a Career Working for Peace (Information Age Publishing 2016). He teaches part-time at the School for Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason University and is the president of the Forage Center for Peacebuilding and Humanitarian Education. He is a recipient of the William Kreidler Award for Distinguished Service to the field of Conflict Resolution given by the Association for Conflict Resolution.
