Members of the LSU and Southern University communities expressed differing ideas on attaining world peace at a forum Sunday night, but all agreed that inner peace and stronger female leadership are essential steps.
The forum was held at the International Cultural Center in recognition of Louisiana’s World Peace Day, which was observed Oct. 1.
Panel members came from multiple cultural and ethnic backgrounds, including Africa and the Middle East. Each member explained their definition of world peace, an idea they all acknowledged as difficult to describe.
Southern University foreign language instructor Marie P.L. Correa said world peace is an end to injustice, inequality and wars. The West African native said world peace strongly depends on peace of self and peace in smaller communities.
Correa said a stronger understanding of language and communication between different cultures is essential for peace.
World peace could be achieved in the near future, said Adenike Olatunji-Akioye, Nigerian veterinarian and LSU School of Veterinary Medicine visiting researcher.
Olatunji-Akioye said women are important to world peace because of their power to influence.
“As women, we have the most opportunity to spread world peace,” she said.
She said all people should act with a “mother’s heart,” explaining that people should treat their ideas and desires as a mother would treat their child.
Shifteh Khalili, University psychology senior, said women have started to gain influence in places like Iran, her native country. Khalili said Shirin Ebadi, the first Muslim woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, is an example of how Middle Eastern women are fostering change.
She said women need to continue being mothers and instilling the idea of world peace into future generations.
Correa and Olatunji-Akioye both said world peace is an idea that starts at home.
Correa said inner peace is necessary for a person who wishes to spread a message of world peace. She said peace from within means to “have love for