The Constitution of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) begins with the following statement:
“Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed.”
This profound insight demonstrates that peace is not only a major issue in the fields of politics, security, and diplomacy, but also a critical subject concerning ideas, cognition, culture, and communication.
Today, the world is undergoing profound transformations. Regional wars and armed conflicts continue to emerge; cognitive divisions between different societies are deepening; and artificial intelligence is becoming deeply embedded in information communication, social cognition, and geopolitical competition. Global peace is facing unprecedented new challenges.
Against this background, peace studies need to further expand their boundaries. Peace scholars should not only serve as observers and researchers of peace issues, but also become participants and contributors to peace processes.
In light of this, I would like to propose the following initiative to peace scholars around the world:
I. Strengthen Exchanges on Peace Ideas and Build Cross-Civilizational Consensus on Peace
Peace is built first and foremost upon mutual understanding among human beings.
Peace scholars from different countries, civilizations, and academic traditions are encouraged to strengthen exchanges and explore, through sustained and in-depth intellectual dialogue, shared principles of peace recognized by humanity as a whole.
Such efforts can provide an intellectual foundation for reducing misunderstanding, lowering hostility, and fostering trust.
II. Actively Participate in Conflict Mediation and Transform Peace Research into Real-World Action
The value of peace research lies not only in explaining conflicts and wars, but also in exploring how to reduce conflicts, prevent wars, and promote reconciliation.
Peace scholars are encouraged to actively follow and participate in real-world international conflict mediation processes, and to engage in constructive dialogue with relevant governments, United Nations agencies, international organizations, regional institutions, civil society groups, and parties involved in conflicts.
Through participation in conflict mediation practices, scholars can summarize experiences, analyze mechanisms, and evaluate outcomes. These practical insights can then be transformed into new theoretical achievements, advancing peace studies from theoretical exploration toward practical innovation and promoting the development of an “action-oriented peace studies” paradigm.
III. Emphasize Effectiveness and Advance Peace Theories through Practice
Peace theories must be tested by reality.
The effectiveness of different concepts of peace, mediation approaches, and communication mechanisms should be evaluated through their practical outcomes.
Peace researchers should identify new challenges through action, refine theories through practice, and develop new knowledge of peace through accumulated experience.
Only through a productive interaction between theory and practice can peace research truly respond to the needs of our time.
IV. Establish a Global Mechanism for Exchange and Cooperation among Peace Scholars
Faced with an increasingly complex global conflict environment, peace research requires closer international cooperation.
I hope that international organizations, research institutions, and peace scholars will jointly promote the establishment of a global exchange and cooperation mechanism for peace scholars, providing a long-term platform for peace researchers to participate in international conflict mediation, strengthen transnational practical cooperation, and share experiences.
If this initiative moves forward, Communication Without Borders (CWB) would be willing to provide communication support and an exchange platform.
Peace is not only the responsibility of governments and international organizations; it is also an important mission of the global knowledge community.
In an era marked by rising risks of war, intensifying international competition, and the profound influence of artificial intelligence on global political communication, peace scholars shoulder an increasingly important historical responsibility.
Let us promote understanding through knowledge, advance peace through action, reduce conflicts through cooperation, and contribute our wisdom and efforts to the cause of human peace.
Initiator: Bi Yantao
Editor-in-Chief of Communication Without Borders (CWB)；
Professor of Communication Studies, School of International Communication and Art, Hainan University
Email: bytaishan(at)sina.com
Website: www.borderlesscomm.com
July 26, 2026
