My attitude to peace is rather based on the Burmese definition of peace - it really means removing all the negative factors that destroy peace in this world. So peace does not mean just putting an end to violence or to war, but to all other factors that threaten peace, such as discrimination, such as inequality, poverty.

The quote "My attitude to peace is rather based on the Burmese definition of peace..." by Aung San Suu Kyi offers a profound and holistic perspective on the concept of peace. Rather than defining peace simply as the absence of war or violence, Suu Kyi emphasizes a deeper understanding rooted in Burmese philosophy. Her attitude toward peace involves actively eliminating the negative factors that silently undermine social harmony and human dignity.

By identifying threats such as discrimination, inequality, and poverty, Suu Kyi broadens the scope of peace to include social justice and human rights. This perspective insists that true peace requires more than just stopping conflict; it demands the removal of structural injustices that perpetuate suffering and unrest. Peace, in this view, is not passive but an ongoing effort to cultivate conditions where all individuals can live with freedom, security, and equality.

This quote reflects Suu Kyi’s own life as a political leader and activist in Myanmar, where she became an international symbol of nonviolent resistance against military oppression. Her struggle was not only against political violence, but also against the systemic barriers that prevented the Burmese people from achieving a just and democratic society. Thus, her definition of peace is deeply shaped by her personal and national context.

Suu Kyi’s words challenge the global community to rethink peace not as a final destination, but as a continuous process of confronting and healing the conditions that lead to conflict in the first place. Her quote invites us to embrace a more inclusive and proactive approach to peacebuilding—one that acknowledges that true peace is inseparable from equity, dignity, and compassion.