Martti Ahtisaari: We can resolve any conflict if we only have the political will to act

I feel both humility and gratitude at receiving this year's Nobel Peace Prize. It is the greatest recognition anybody working in this field can be given. What I am feeling now can only be compared with the joy I have felt when seeing the changes that peace has brought to the lives of people: when people who have endured wars and crises begin to build their lives in an atmosphere of peace – when faith in the future returns.

Wars and conflicts are not inevitable. They are caused by human beings. There are always interests furthered by war. Therefore, those with power and influence can also stop them. The people that can make peace are the parties to the conflict and, just as they are responsible for the conflict's consequences, so should have responsibility and recognition for the peace. Peace is a question of will. All conflicts can be settled and there are no excuses for allowing them to become eternal. It is simply intolerable that violent conflicts defy resolution for decades. The passivity and impotence of the international community make it more difficult for us to place our faith in jointly built security structures.

Despite the many challenges, even the most intractable conflicts can be resolved if the parties involved and the international community join forces and work together for a common aim. In a conflict, one party can always claim victory but building peace must involve everybody: the weak and the powerful, the victors and the vanquished. However, peace negotiations are often conducted by a small elite. In the future, we must be better able to achieve a broader participation in peace processes. Particularly, there is a need to ensure the engagement of women in all stages of a peace process.

Peace processes and the agreements resulting from them end the violence. But the real work only starts after a peace agreement has been concluded. The agreements reached have to be implemented. Social and political change does not happen overnight, and the reconstruction and establishment of democracy demand patience. But if we work together, we can find solutions. We should not accept any excuses from those in power. Peace is a question of will.

Taken from the former Finnish president Martti Ahtisaari's Nobel Peace Prize acceptance lecture earlier this week