I'm concerned when certain movements or countries have been isolated from the international dialogue because then you have no way of influencing them.
Martti AhtisaariRead
The origins of my career as a peace mediator can be found from my childhood years. I was born in the city of Viipuri, then still part of Finland. We lost Viipuri when the Soviet Union attacked my country. Along with 400,000 fellow Karelians, I became an eternally displaced person in the rest of Finland.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects on the impact of childhood experiences on one's career choices, particularly in the context of peace mediation.
Martti Ahtisaari shares how his early life experiences, particularly the loss of his home in Viipuri due to war, shaped his path towards becoming a peace mediator. The quote highlights how personal experiences of displacement and loss can influence a person's professional motivations and aspirations, driving them to seek peace and resolution in conflicts.
Themes
PeaceDisplacementMediationChildhoodWar
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about conflict resolution at a university, I might reference Ahtisaari to illustrate the importance of personal experiences in becoming a mediator.
More from Martti Ahtisaari
All quotes →I know what it's like when you are a refugee, living on the mercy of others and having to adjust.
Martti AhtisaariRead
There are always interests that are furthered by war. Therefore, those who have power and influence can also stop them... we should not accept any excuses from those in power.
Martti AhtisaariRead
Peace is a question of will. All conflicts can be settled, and there are no excuses for allowing them to become eternal.
Martti AhtisaariRead
Similar quotes
It may seem sometimes as if a culture of peace does not stand a chance against the culture of war, the culture of violence and the cultures of impunity and intolerance. Peace may indeed be a complex challenge, dependent on action in many fields and even a bit of luck from time to time. It may be a painfully slow process, and fragile and imperfect when it is achieved. But peace is in our hands. We can do it.
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I never again want to see the face of a starving child or hear the weeping of a mother who has lost her son to war. Peace, this is what my husband gave his life for, and I want the world to know that he did not die in vain. Peace, this is what will make me very happy.
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It takes a few to make war, but it takes a village and a nation to build peace.
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My dream is that one day, all people will live without fear, in real peace, with no fighting and no hostility.
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As they used to say 'What if they gave a war and nobody came?' How worthwhile if they declared a day of peace and everybody came.
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I am a man of peace. I believe in peace. But I do not want peace at any price.
Mahatma GandhiRead