Peace

➡️ INSPIRING CHAMPIONS OF PEACE – Historical Advocates, Religious Leaders & Modern Activists

In a world experiencing the highest number of armed conflicts since 1945 (the end of WWII), and with a 65% increase in conflict-affected areas since 2021, role models for peace have never been more important. They show us how individuals can make a real difference and teach us how to fight for justice and peace with courage, determination, and compassion.

Peace activists, anti-war campaigners, nonviolence advocates, conscientious objectors, peace educators, and influential voices for peace are essential in forming a world which is democratic, just, safe, and free from corruption, oppression, and war profiteering.

As we have seen time and time again, war never brings peace, only suffering, destruction, and death. Despite the proven success of peaceful solutions in ending and preventing violence, it still remains massively underfunded.

Jump straight to our resources on role models of ➡️ Peace

Explore our comprehensive guides on -

• Our Guides to Peace & Nonviolence

• Various Peace Prizes

• Conscientious Objectors

• Peace Educators

• Pacifism & Famous Pacifists

• International Day of Peace

• Peace One Day Initiative

• Peace Movements & NGOs by Country

• Peace Events & Films

• Women & Peace

Recent research by Erica Chenoweth, a political scientist at Harvard University, revealed that nonviolent protests are twice as likely to succeed as armed conflicts. Successful campaigns over the last 4 decades have been witnessed in the Philippines, Georgia, Sudan, and Algeria.

Participation by 3.5% of the population is the key to serious change. Not only does it avoid the suffering and death of thousands, but peaceful solutions have now been proven as the most powerful way to shape our world.

*****

Historical Advocates for Peace

• MAHATMA GANDHI

Gandhi's teachings of nonviolence and civil resistance continue to shape peaceful protests around the world today. He led India's independence movement, striving for greater equality and liberation from British colonial rule, proving that lasting change can be forged from powerful, peaceful resistance. Nonviolent civil disobedience became an effective tool for political and social reform.

"The day the power of love overrules the love of power, the world will know peace" - Gandhi

• MARTIN LUTHER KING JR

Martin Luther King Jr (MLK) grew up in a time of extreme racial segregation. He dreamt of an America where people were judged by their character and not by the colour of their skin - where equal opportunities, freedom, and justice could be enjoyed by everyone.

In the fight for this dream, MLK went on to become one of the most influential leaders in ending racial segregation in the U.S.A. Embracing the tactics of peaceful, nonviolent resistance, his tireless advocacy for racial equality led to the creation of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

"True peace is not merely the absence of tension; it is the presence of justice" - Martin Luther King Jr

• NELSON MANDELA

Born in 1918 in apartheid South Africa, Mandela became involved in the anti-apartheid movement in his 20s and went on to become a global symbol of peace and reconciliation. His commitment to nonviolence in pursuit of a multi-racial South Africa and an end to white domination led to a 27-year prison sentence and, ultimately, his election as South Africa's first Black president in 1994.

Nelson Mandela was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize alongside F.W. de Klerk in 1993. Over the years, he has been honoured with more than 250 awards, including the UN Human Rights Prize and the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom, as a testament to his unwavering contribution to peace, equality, and human rights.

"It is easy to break down and destroy. The heroes are those who make peace and build" - Nelson Mandela

• DALAI LAMA

The current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, is the highest spiritual leader and head of Tibetan Buddhism. He established the Tibetan government in exile, and is also the leader and a monk of the Gelug school, the newest school of Tibetan Buddhism. He became a Nobel Peace Prize recipient in 1989.

After the Chinese takeover in 1950, the free practice of religion was no longer possible in Tibet. The Dalai Lama fled to India, where he advocates for the cultural and religious freedoms of the Tibetan people. He is a global symbol of peace and nonviolent resistance.

"If you wish to experience peace, provide peace for another" - Dalai Lama

• THICH NHAT HANH

Thich Nhat Hanh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, was a master of mindfulness and a tireless advocate for peace. His teachings emphasised living in the moment and demonstrating compassion in our everyday lives. He was a pioneer of engaged Buddhism, founded the School of Youth for Social Service and the international practice centre, Plum Village.

During his life, he organised countless peace marches and authored over 100 books on his teachings of peace. One of his biggest achievements was leading nonviolent relief during the Vietnam War.

"It is my conviction that there is no way to peace - peace is the way" - Thich Nhat Hanh

*****

Modern Day Advocates for Peace

• MALALA YOUSAFZAI

After surviving a Taliban assassination attempt at the age of 15, Malala became a global symbol of peace. She spoke up about using education as a force for peace and empowering girls to become leaders. At the age of 17, she became the youngest ever recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize for her activism.

The Malala Fund was established in 2014 to create a global network of leaders and activists fighting for girls' right to education. The fund now supports over 26 million students, has unlocked $7 billion in donor commitments for education, and has raised the global standard for girls' education from 9 to 12 years.

"I truly believe the only way we can create global peace is through not only educating our minds, but our hearts and our souls" - Malala Yousafzai

• SCILLA ELWORTHY

Scilla Elworthy has dedicated her career to building a more peaceful and less violent world. Over several decades, her work has earned her 3 Nobel Peace Prize nominations.

In 1982, she founded the NGO and charity Oxford Research Group, which focused on issues related to peace, security, and justice. They worked to foster dialogue between nuclear weapons policymakers and their critics.

"The future will be envisioned and built collaboratively - or not at all. The world is in crisis. It needs people who have the skill to combine inner power with outer action" - Scilla Elworthy

• KATHY KELLY

Kathy Kelly is a prominent American peace activist committed to nonviolent protest and her work in war-torn regions.

She has received numerous awards and recognitions for her tireless efforts in peace activism, bringing humanitarian aid to war-affected populations, and educating the public about the atrocities of war and peaceful alternatives.

She is a recipient of the U.S. Peace Memorial Foundation Prize and has been nominated several times for the Nobel Peace Prize. In attempts to silence further exposure of the atrocities and human costs of war, she has been arrested more than sixty times at home and abroad.

"At its core, war is impoverishment. War's genesis and ultimate end is in the poverty of our hearts. If we can realise that the world's liberation begins within those troubled hearts, then we may yet find peace…What good has ever come from the slaughter of the innocents?" - Kathy Kelly

• JAN OBERG

Jan Oberg is a well-respected peace researcher, professor, and co-founder of the Transnational Foundation for Peace and Future Research (TFF). He has dedicated his career to nonviolent conflict resolution, disarmament, and promoting a culture of peace.

As a columnist, commentator, and mediator, he is renowned for his insightful, independent, and unfiltered analyses. As an advocate for dialogue and understanding as essential tools for addressing global conflicts, his work has been instrumental in fostering peace and international cooperation.

"Human beings study war and other violence much more than nonviolence and peace; evil more than goodness; aggression more than forgiveness and reconciliation. It is quite strange because no society, no human relationships, can exist without these fundamentally good qualities" - Jan Oberg

• VIJAY MEHTA

Vijay is a distinguished author, peace activist, and advocate for human rights and development. He is the chair for Uniting for Peace, an international NGO focused on peace, nonviolence, disarmament, and poverty reduction. He is also a Trustee of the Fortune Forum Charity, which brings together smaller organisations and charities to scale up their work.

He is also the director of the Global Alliance for Ministries and Infrastructure for Peace (GAMIP) who work with more than 50 countries to share best practices and support countries striving to develop a culture of peace.

"As chaos, turmoil, hate and belligerence descend into our world, it has become more urgent to build a culture of peace" - Vijay Mehta

*****

This is just a snapshot of all the incredible individuals and their organisations who work tirelessly to defeat the increasingly strong hold of militarism, greed, corruption, arms manufacturers, war machines, warmongers, and the military-industrial complex.

They exemplify the transformative power of peace and the potential for the actions of just one person to forge positive change and impact the lives of thousands. Their legacies and ongoing advocacy remind us that even in the face of adversity, peace is possible.

Keep exploring and discover more inspiring peace champions such as Leo Tolstoy, Pope Francis, Desmond Tutu, Noam Chomsky, David Swanson, Bruce Kent, Rivera Sun, Rachel Small and many more.

Author: Rachael Mellor, 29.12.25 licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

For further reading on Exemplary People in Peace see below ⬇️