Ten years ago, for many of us, the word “peace” sounded like something stable and almost guaranteed.

But recent years have shown that peace is not just the absence of war, but a fragile value that must be cherished and fought for.

We asked people of different ages and from different countries how their vision of peace has changed and how they imagine the future.

How the understanding of peace has changed

Dmytro, Ukraine, 45: “Before 2014, I planned my children's future calmly. Now, for me, peace means justice and the aggressor taking responsibility.”

Natalie, Ukraine, 54: “I used to think of peace as the absence of war. Now I see it in small moments—in a smile, in a conversation, in a moment of silence.”

Sabina, Germany, 48: “Peace once seemed self-evident to me. Today, I feel it is a fragile gift that is easy to lose.”

Jürgen, Germany, 55: “With age, I have come to understand that there are no easy solutions. Peace begins with inner clarity and the ability to listen.”

Victoria, Ukraine, 42: “For the aggressor, peace is a respite; for the victim, it is victory and a guarantee of security.”

How they see the future

Mariana, Ukraine, 33: “I dream of a strong country where my children laugh under a clear sky and harvest their crops in peace.”

Sabina, Germany, 48: “I would like a world where people agree and follow the rules, rather than falling into the abyss.”

Catherine, Germany, 66: “I want everyone to have food, water, rights, and to take responsibility for one another.”

Dmytro, Ukraine, 45: “I dream of seeing my favorite places in Crimea again — now free.”

Jürgen, Germany, 58: “I see a future where people accept the complexity of the world and live with gratitude.”

Herman, Germany, 61: “True peace is not just the absence of war, but active work towards calm, mutual understanding, and justice. This is what gives people hope for a better future and a new perspective on the world.”

What peace means today

Peace is not just the absence of war. For many people, it means tranquility, harmony, and mutual respect.

Gabriel, Ukraine, 42: “I imagine a peaceful future in which true values such as love, respect, humanity, and responsibility are stronger than greed, aggression, and selfishness. A world in which every family can live in safety, dignity, and trust.”

Gaike, Germany, 55: “More and more people are beginning to appreciate the complexity of life, embrace its diversity with curiosity, and live their lives with gratitude, filled with a deep awareness that all life is a great blessing.”

"Peace has a profound impact not only on my life, but also on the lives of many other people, contributing to individual well-being and social progress... allowing resources to be allocated to human development rather than conflict" — Alain, 50, Cameroon, cosmopolitan, citizen of the world, has lived on four continents, currently in Germany.

Alan adds: “A world characterized by inner peace, healthy relationships, and a society with equal opportunities and respect for diversity, where people practice mindfulness, compassion, tolerance, and actively contribute to creating a just and harmonious environment.”

Today, peace also includes healthy relationships, equal opportunities, and active contribution to a just and harmonious society.

This shows that the meaning of peace has become more personal, social, and global at the same time.

Conclusion

These voices express anxiety and hope, pain and dreams.

Some await the victory of good, some await fair agreements, and some believe in the power of inner peace.

Together, they remind us that peace is not a finish line, but a journey on which every step we take matters.

As of September 2025, there are 59 active wars in the world — the highest number in decades. In total, according to the Global Peace Index, there are more than 180 regional and local conflicts, which is a record number of armed conflicts in the world. In 2024, these conflicts killed more than 152,000 people and turned millions into refugees or internally displaced persons.

These figures show how fragmented and dangerous the world is today, and also highlight how painful it is for migrants to receive news from their homeland, where wars are ongoing.

I am grateful to accompany this article with a collage by Ukrainian artist Viktoria Bartosh, which reflects our reality: war in some places, peace in others — a contrast that makes you think.

Autor: Maryna Bets