Shimon Peres in Tel Aviv, February 1977 ©AP Photo/RockedBuzz via EuronewsAs we celebrate 100 years since the birth of Shimon Peres this month, it’s a time not only to reflect on the late Israeli president’s profound legacy, but also to reflect on the completely different world that welcomed him in August 1923.
When Peres entered this world in the city of Wiszniew, Poland – now Vishnyeva, Belarus – global events were unfolding with great significance.
August 1923 marked the height of the Roaring Twenties, a time of cultural and social upheaval around the world. In the United States, the era of radio broadcasting began days earlier with the launch of the first commercial radio station.
This innovation revolutionized communication and brought the world closer together, setting the stage for rapid globalization.
Meanwhile, Europe was still grappling with the aftermath of World War I, trying to rebuild and recover from the devastation of the conflict.
The geopolitical landscape of the continent was in constant flux, with emerging ideologies and political tensions shaping the future.
Changing geopolitical landscape and global upheaval
In Germany, the fragile Weimar Republic struggled to maintain stability amid economic woes, foreshadowing the rise of extremist ideologies that would later plunge the world into the world’s most devastating war.
In the Middle East, the region that would later become Peres’ lifelong pursuit, the reality was no less complex.
The British Mandate of Palestine, established by the League of Nations, was facing resistance from both Arab and Jewish communities due to conflicting land claims. In a region plagued by volatility, these simmering tensions would eventually lead to the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Shimon Peres was born into a world grappling with a changing geopolitical landscape, technological advances, and social upheaval.
Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres next to the memorial in the former Nazi concentration camp of Bergen-Belsen, January 1986Heribert Proepper/1986 APLooking back on the events of August 1923, we are reminded of the uncertainties and challenges that marked that era.
Shimon Peres was born into a world grappling with a changing geopolitical landscape, technological advances, and social upheaval.
It was a time that required visionary leaders who could face complexities and strive for progress.
Our challenges today are different, but just as acute
Peres’ life journey took him from the roots of his Polish upbringing to the forefront of Israeli politics and the quest for peace in the Middle East.
Throughout his career, he has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to dialogue, understanding and compromise, firmly believing that peace is the foundation of progress and prosperity.
In the hundred years since Peres was born, we have lived through the horrors of World War II, the founding of the United Nations, the creation of the state of Israel, the end of the Cold War and the dawn of the digital age.
The challenges we face are diverse in nature, but no less urgent… Climate change threatens the very survival of our planet, requiring global cooperation and collective action.
Firefighters and residents try to put out a fire in Canakkale city, August 2023Ugur Yildirim/dia imagesAdvances in technology, including the internet and the rise of social media, have further interconnected us, altering the way we communicate and experience life.
But as we draw lessons from Peres’ legacy, we need to apply them to the world we live in today, not just the past in which he lived.
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The challenges we face are of a different nature, but no less urgent for this. The rapid advancement of technology has brought immense opportunities, but it also poses new risks and ethical dilemmas.
Climate change threatens the very survival of our planet, requiring global cooperation and collective action.
A collective effort is needed to build bridges
In this transformed world, it is essential to uphold the values dear to Peres: the pursuit of peace, the embrace of innovation and the commitment to a better world for all.
We must recognize that peace is not simply the absence of conflict, but a collective effort to build bridges, promote understanding and address the root causes of unrest.
We must continue to fight for constructive dialogue and sustainable solutions, recognizing the interconnectedness of our global challenges.
Foreign Minister Shimon Peres signs the Middle East Peace Agreement in Washington DC, September 1993RON EDMONDS/AP1993We must continue to fight for constructive dialogue and sustainable solutions, recognizing the interconnectedness of our global challenges.
Furthermore, as we embrace the rapid technological advances that have shaped our world, we must ensure that innovation is harnessed for the collective good.
By prioritizing sustainable development and equitable access to technology, we can address pressing issues such as climate change and social inequality.
We all need a beacon of hope
Peres, a beacon of leadership dedicated to serving his people, embodied the kind of visionary leadership that can lead both Israel and the world into the future.
His legacy extends beyond history, providing a timeless role model for generations to come, reminding us that leadership is about serving and leading by example for the future.
The world may have changed since his birth, but the values he embodied are eternal and enduring.
Opposition leader Shimon Peres shakes hands with a young supporter during a coffee break at a cafe near his Tel Aviv headquarters, July 1984Heidi Levine/APAnd ultimately it serves as a beacon of hope, telling us that progress requires resilience and determination.
The world may have changed since his birth, but the values he embodied are eternal and enduring.
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We honor his memory by charting a path to peace, harnessing innovation for positive change, and fostering a sense of global citizenship.
In doing so, we can carry on his vision and build a brighter future for generations of the next 100 years and beyond.
_Efrat Duvedani is Director General of the Peres Center for Peace and Innovation. _
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