“You see things; and you say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were; and I say, ‘Why not?’” (George Bernard Shaw)
The above photo is of a painting in the MOCO Museum, Amsterdam, by ICY and SOT, two Iranian activist-artist brothers who fled the persecution and censorship they experienced in their home country. It has been one of the inspirations for the thoughts expressed in this idealistic dreamer’s post.
Words alongside the painting:
We are all dreamers.
“If you can dream it, you can do it.” ( Walt Disney)
and:
“Big, sky-blue letters encourage us to dream because the sky is the limit. Children have the remarkable power to dream, so let them. As we grow older, the saying “dare to dream” becomes more true and feels like a dangerous thing. But a free mind is a powerful thing.” (ICY and SOT)
ICY and SOT aim to reveal the truth through creativity and expression. Their art opens a window into a world where children run free, women have full control over the choices in their lives, and there are no guns, no borders, no hierarchies, and no war.
Why? becomes How?
“You see things; and you say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were; and I say, ‘Why not?’” (George Bernard Shaw)
How do you look at what might be, not at what is because Every Life Matters?
Do you wish to see an end to all forms of war and violence between nations?
Do you wish to see a world committed to peace during your lifetime, your children’s, and grandchildren’s lifetimes?
Do you wish to see an end to the refugee crises, the malnutrition and suffering of innocent people — especially children — in many countries in different parts of the world?
Do you wish to see an end to inequality and injustice throughout the world?
What are you doing to have your call for an end to global suffering, inequalities, and injustice heard?
Or, do you just shake your head and join the cacophony of silence, thinking, “It’s too hard?”
The different chapters of history written over the centuries remind us how powerful the united voices of people can be. Can we mobilize a global movement?
Do not follow where the path may go. We can learn important lessons from history, change the narrative, and blaze a new trail, because Every Life Matters.
Together we have the power to bring about change.
The United Nations (UN) was established by the Charter of the United Nations and Statute of the International Court of Justice to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.” The Charter was signed on 26 June 1945 by the representatives of 50 countries; Poland signed on 15 October 1945. In 2025 there are 193 member nations of the UN.
The United Nations has noted that there have been over 250 armed conflicts since the Charter was signed. How many millions of people have died in these armed conflicts?
Statistics presented by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees states that at the end of 2024, as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations, or events seriously disturbing public order, 122.6 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced. Children account for approximately 40% of all forcibly displaced people.
“Peace must be the people’s peace.” (John Hume, Nobel Peace Prize winner)
What opportunities have you had to call for world peace?
In his Peace Speech at the American University, Washington DC, on June 10, 1963, shortly before his assassination, American President John Fitzgerald Kennedy reminded the world that what united the United States and Russia during this period of the Cold War, was that
“we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we all are mortal.”
Together we have the power to bring about change.
Can you reimagine a world in which billions of people come together and say to global leaders:
“Enough is enough! Your self-interested political, social, and economic policies have failed to bring peace to an increasingly divided and hurting world. It is time for a new authentic narrative, because Every Life Matters.”
The question to ask is not why? but, how?
How can your voice make a difference?
How can your voice be a voice for the millions who have no voice?
How can global peace be achieved?
There are no quick-fix solutions to the increasingly complex and challenging times in which we live.
Ask not why? Ask how?
Have you ever been asked what you would wish for if you had a magic wand?
“Vision is the art of seeing the invisible.” (Jonathan Swift)
What would be your vision of the future?
Here is an idealistically achievable way to change the global narrative for a generation for the attainment of world peace, when like-minded morally courageous people — who believe that Every Life Matters–collaboratively work to become positive influencers to bring peace to our world.
“I have spread my dreams under your feet. Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.” (William Butler Yeats)
9 Questions for all aged 18 and over
Imagine that we had access to all people in every corner of the world, and could ask them nine questions.
1. Do you want an affordable home (shelter) in which to live?
2. Do you want clean running water in your home?
3. Do you want food and clothing?
4. Do you want free education and childcare?
5. Do you want free medicines and healthcare?
6. Do you want freedom of speech, movement, and religion?
7. Do you want to be treated as an equal with everyone else?
8. Do you want your voice to be heard, respected, and valued (politically, socially, and economically)?
9. Do you want to live in a world at peace — no more wars of any sort or type; no more violence?
We, the people …
Then imagine that a mechanism could be set up to record all these responses, catering for the literate and the illiterate; an opportunity to share one’s support to a global movement to peacefully bring about world peace, and stability because Every Life Matters.
We wish to live in a global village of peace, unity, and sustainable development as advocated by the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
We wish to live safely and securely in a global village in which there are no wars of any type or form, or acts of aggression, and in which all people have:
· equality
· freedom of speech, movement, and religion
· affordable housing (shelter)
· food, clothing, and access to clean running water
· free medicine and healthcare
· free education and childcare
· democratic governance
Signed: ………………………………….
Print name: ………………………………
Country: …………………………………
A movement of the global community that forces the United Nations to become the authentic and legitimate representatives of the voice of the global community; a movement that forces global leaders to deliver on these requests, to bring an end to global conflict, and global poverty.
Reach One! Reach All!
What do you think?
Would you ever sign such a document?
How many people can you reach with this message?
Cover (Author’s photo): Copyright: ICY and SOT (MOCO Museum)
