Celebrate 80 years of peace but learn the lessons of the past

There has been much celebration over the past week to mark the eightieth anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. Among local events were a remembrance celebration, a fascinating talk about Wanstead during the war, a tea dance and play. The annual remembrance events provide an important reminder of the waste of war - the terrible sacrifice. Sometimes these events tread a fine line between remembering the sacrifice of millions and celebrating war. War is nothing to celebrate, it marks a total breakdown in human relations - a failure to resolve problems without resort to violence. Sometimes remembrance events can seem like recruiting exercises for the armed forces. What remembrance should be about is marking the sacrifice of so many. But also in remembering, the resolution must be strengthened to stop anything as horrific happening again. Since the end of the Second World War, there have been many regional wars across the world, often conducted by smaller countries as proxies for the superpowers. In 1962, the world was brought to the brink of destruction with the Cuban missile crisis - a face off between the US and Russia, over the latters placement of missiles in Cuba. The matter was resolved and the world reflected on how close it had come to destruction. The main reason we haven't had another world war for 80 years is that the weaponry (particularly nuclear) is so destructive that all of humanity would be annihilated if any country tried to use these weapons. There have been some close calls. And with the volatility of world leaders at present, these are dangerous times. There also seems to be a worrying normalisation of war going on. So, the conflicts going on in Gaza and Ukraine have featured heavily on news coverage. But people now too easily accept the daily atrocities going on. International law seems put aside, the arms companies profit and on goes the business of war. There needs to be an end to these wars and a calling to account of those responsible at the International Court of Justice. Part of the reconciliation process after the Second World War saw some of those responsible brought to trial. There always has to be an accounting. So, marking 80 years since the end of the last world war and eight decades of peace is important. A time to take stock but also to realise war is ongoing. Peacemaking has to be a similar ongoing process. So a great way to mark the 80th anniversary would be to push for peace in all centres of conflict today. And pledge not to repeat the mistakes of the past.