<Author>Michael</Author>
<Topic>War and Peace in Contemporary Society</Topic>
<Source></Source>
<Nationality>USA</Nationality>
The twentieth century has been the bloodiest century in recorded history. Why was this true, when modem technology and remarkable advancements in many fields should have made the century our richest and most peaceful one? Why have there been dozens and dozens of international conflicts? Why, at the end of the twentieth century were there more and more civil wars within states? Why were there 50 million refugees in the world who had to flee their homes--mostly because of war? Why have whole regions been torn apart by conflict and strife? Why did the push for freedom internationally move in reverse in many societies? Why did terrorism plague many societies long before the terrorist attacks against America and many other countries in the early twenty-first century? Why was nuclear proliferation such a threat to the entire world during the last century? Are certain long-time conflicts solvable? Are we destined in the twenty-first century to repeat the terrible mistakes of the last century? Why have such potentially positive concepts as language, religion, culture, and nationality been such divisive issues in the twenty-first century? 
How can we understand this past century that began and ended in the most horrendous threats to human society in recorded human history all across the planet? We know that most ordinary citizens all over the world would prefer to live in peace rather than in war and conflict. We know that ordinary citizens everywhere would like to see themselves, their children, and grandchildren live happily with enough resources to sustain and develop their lives and maintain the community to which they belong in harmony. These resources include adequate security, food, water, shelter, and other basic human needs to maintain healthy and happy lives. How can we assure that all humans can reach the goals of living in freedom, in an environmentally healthy world which has no more war, no more grinding poverty for half of the human race.
Pope Paul VI's address to the United Nations in 1965, "Never again war, war never again" remains an elusive goal for all humanity. How will you as our future leaders respond?