Today’s commemoration of the International Day of Peace should be a rallying point to raise awareness about the value and necessity of a conflict prevention framework coupled with arduous peace-building work especially in a diverse and multi-culturally dynamic Southeast Asian region. More so in the light of the post-September 11 global security policy of the United States, with its dubious “war on terror” now also called euphemistically as the “struggle for civilization”, and its adverse effects on the peoples in Southeast Asia. It is of great import to stress today the need for greater understanding and appreciation the value of peace-building and conflict prevention that is anchored on multi-culturalism and respect of peoples’ rights as necessary elements to attain peace and human security.