Peace in 2025: a tricky business as usual?

This article was exclusively written for The European Sting by Ms. Olukeye Toluwanimi Deborah, a visionary Nigerian medical student. She is affiliated with the International Federation of Medical Students Associations (IFMSA), cordial partner of The Sting. The opinions expressed in this piece belong strictly to the writer and do not necessarily reflect IFMSA’s view on the topic, nor The European Sting’s one.

Your beliefs and ideas; my perceptions and experiences — they can never be the same. Yet, there is this obsession to make others adopt to them. Why won’t there be a gap?

As we continue to push our own agenda, the gap between us grows. The gap is not just a metaphorical divide but a concept that has real world consequences. We become isolated in our own bubbles, leading to miscommunication, misunderstandings and ultimately conflicts. From this root of conflicts, fruits of discord, mistrust, and division grow, blossoming into social unrest. 

Social unrest is the manifestation of our collective failure to bridge the gap. It’s the culmination of years of neglect, mistrust, and division. But it’s not too late to change course. We can still build bridges, connect the dots, and restore peace.

However, this is not a task for the faint of heart. It requires courage, empathy, and a willingness to listen. It demands that we step out of our comfort zones and engage with those who may hold different views. It necessitates that we acknowledge our own biases and prejudices, and work to overcome them. Which generation knows how to do this better than the gen z? The generation that has increased awareness of global issues and is willing to challenge the status quo. 

On a surface level, it is clear that the solution of bridging the gap lies with the youth. But if you ask on a deep level, the truth is, bridging the gap is everyone’s problem. It is a collective responsibility, one that requires us across generations, beliefs and doctrines to all work together to find solutions. The pointing of fingers, blaming others and assumption that someone else will fix it, all need to stop.

Taking it step by step, we can start off with the youth channeling their energy, idealism, and creativity to bring about change. Would redefining social norms help? What of amplifying marginalized voices? Maybe advocating for policy changes, too?

It’s a lot. But it can be done.

About the author

Olukeye Toluwanimi Deborah is a visionary Nigerian medical student and a 2024 Millennium Fellow who’s redefining the intersection of healthcare and social impact. With a passion for empowering young minds, she founded Rage Rewired, a pioneering initiative that’s sparking a global conversation on emotional intelligence and effective anger management.

As a member of the American Psychological Association, Toluwanimi is informed by the latest research and best practices in the field of psychology, which they leverage to create impactful programs and resources for young people. Through unapologetic storytelling, engaging talks, and online informative content, she is helping young people untangle complex emotions, challenge societal norms, and unlock their full potential. With a fierce commitment to social justice and a heart for serving others, she is an unstoppable force for good, inspiring a new generation of leaders to join the movement.

As she continues to grow and learn, one thing is certain – their dedication to helping others will leave a lasting impact on the world.