Business as Peacebuilders: Recognizing the power of business in promoting a peaceful and more stable world

By Diane Whitehead, President & CEO, Childhood Education International

September 21 is International Day of Peace, a day established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly. Two decades later, in 2001, the General Assembly unanimously voted to designate the Day as a period of non-violence and cease-fire.

The 2025 theme for the International Day of Peace is “Act Now for a Peaceful World.” Below, Childhood Education International President & CEO, Diane Whitehead, discusses how businesses can and are acting on behalf of creating a more peaceful world.

Today, we are witnessing conflict and global social and economic disruptions on a scale that no one could have predicted, even just a few years ago.  At the same moment that forces seem to be pulling our world apart, however, there are other forces at work pulling us together in new and unexpected ways.

The Role of Business

The business sector and its new collaborative and human-centered approaches are no exception and many businesses now feel an urgency to achieve a more peaceful world. This is a prime example of a significant positive shift and the latest contributions of the business sector to peacebuilding highlight business as a powerful force that can positively impact societies, help to prevent conflict, foster the development of communities, and promote peace.

Through several decades of business commitments to corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs, and by acknowledging the responsibilities of the newer ESG movement (Environment, Social and Governance), businesses have entered a new and exciting evolutionary phase where caring about all people — not just employees and direct customers — creates a new vision for the entire business sector. Many businesses now recognize that they cannot be passive bystanders in an unstable and unpredictable world, and they must dig deeper to consider development and human concerns on both local and global levels.

Although some of these concerns come from true altruistic thinking, they are also driven by the understanding that no business can thrive or survive when surrounded by conflict, violence, instability, and crisis. What is good for all people is good for business, too. Businesses can only survive in stable and sustainable business environments, and they can indeed be agents of change by implementing business practices that promote a better world for all.

Building Connections for Peace

Peacebuilding is one area where businesses are becoming particularly active. This includes business practices such as CSR programs focused on peace and contributing directly to post-conflict reconstruction. Businesses are learning the techniques of so-called Track II Diplomacy, which focuses on how to engage in unofficial dialogue and interaction between non-state actors — such as academics, religious leaders, and civil society members.

Businesses are engaging in conflict resolution techniques and providing informal and neutral spaces for people to address sensitive issues and explore new ideas while supporting mediation and peacebuilding efforts. Public private partnerships are providing the business sector with an important opportunity to shape dialogues for peace.

On this International Day of Peace, let’s look beyond the typical actors working to build peace in our world and invite in unexpected champions as well. If we are to truly create a stable, secure, and peaceful world, we need everyone participating, including businesses.

About the Author

Diane Whitehead, President & CEO

Diane Whitehead is the CEO of Childhood Education, International, which operates the Center for Business Champions (CBC). The CBC focuses on encouraging business partnerships with the early childhood development and education sector to promote a better and more peaceful world for all children.

Diane has dedicated her career to issues that affect the lives of children and families. She specializes in global education, children’s education and learning, the human right to education, nonprofit leadership, management, strategic direction-setting, and program development.

Through her strategic guidance and management of this 130+year-old organization, Diane has expanded its global reach, built partnerships with education-focused organizations around the world, designed impactful programs, and participated in key international education forums and United Nations’ initiatives, a recognition of her commitment to transforming education. As Chief Executive Officer, she is dedicated to building CE International’s relevancy, reach, and impact.

Diane is available to speak on education topics, leadership, change management, and the future of humanity. If you would like to invite Diane for a speaker engagement at a conference or event, please contact headquarters@ceinternational1892.org.