As we face global challenges, it’s critical for educational institutions and professional development programs in cities like Orlando, a hub of diversity and international collaboration, to equip our students — our future leaders — with the tools necessary to navigate conflict and build bridges.
In an age of heightened global tensions, it is more apparent than ever that the leaders of tomorrow must be prepared to tackle some of the most complex and entrenched conflicts in history. From the ongoing war in Ukraine to the unresolved strife in the Middle East and the intensifying divisions within nations, today’s global challenges require a new breed of leadership — one that is equipped not just with technical knowledge, but with the skills to negotiate, mediate and build peace in a fractured world.
At the heart of peacebuilding is the understanding that conflicts are not resolved by force but through sustained dialogue, empathy and the willingness to find common ground despite deep divisions. While the world faces many challenges, the history of peace processes offers important lessons for navigating present-day conflict. One of the clearest examples is the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland, which transformed decades of violence into a framework for peace — a peace that, despite its fragility, has endured for more than 25 years. Notably, the United States played an indispensable role in forging this agreement, and did so without massive allocations of military aid or other forms of foreign assistance.
Here in Orlando and Central Florida, we are uniquely positioned to be leaders in shaping global solutions to conflicts. As a city that welcomes millions of visitors annually and attracts businesses from around the world, Orlando has a vital role to play in fostering dialogue across borders. By integrating peacebuilding into the fabric of our local leadership and professional development programs, we can become a model for other cities worldwide, showing how economic prosperity and global peace can go hand in hand.
Peacebuilding is not an optional skill but a necessity in our interconnected world. Whether our children enter the government, the corporate sector or nonprofit organizations, they will inevitably encounter situations that require them to understand the human side of conflict. The ability to engage with diverse perspectives, listen to opposing viewpoints and find common ground will be essential in fostering peace and stability in a world that is increasingly divided along political, cultural and ideological lines. A region long celebrated for its melting pot of cultures and backgrounds, Central Florida thrives on inclusivity and serves as an ideal backdrop for this type of education.
Importantly, this peacebuilding training must go beyond theoretical models. It requires real-world experience, learning from the successes and failures of past peace processes and applying those lessons to contemporary conflicts. Bringing peacebuilders to engage directly with students can also provide valuable perspectives. With one of the largest universities in the country and exceptional travel access, Orlando is an accessible hub for people of influence to visit and foster lasting solutions to global conflicts.
This type of immersive education challenges students to engage with conflict not as passive observers but as active participants, working alongside those directly impacted by conflict to understand their experiences and gain firsthand knowledge of the complexities involved in sustaining peace.
Conflicts are rarely contained within national borders, and their effects often spill over into neighboring regions or even continents. A leader well-versed in conflict transformation can help to prevent the spread of violence and contribute to global security. This is why it is so critical that we invest in educating students who are not only knowledgeable about their chosen fields but who are also trained in the skills needed to create lasting solutions to global challenges.
The lessons from past peace processes offer valuable frameworks for understanding how to build peace that lasts, but it is the next generation of leaders who will carry these lessons forward, applying them to the unique challenges of their time. Peacebuilding isn’t something that just happens on a global scale; it starts at a local level, right here in Central Florida. By equipping our students with these skills, we can hope to see a world where future leaders are prepared to meet the complex challenges ahead with the wisdom to make thoughtful, informed decisions that lead to sustainable peace.
David Dumke serves as the executive director of UCF Global Perspectives and International Initiatives.
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