Global military spending surpassed $2 trillion, the highest level recorded since the end of the Cold War, according to the United Nations, as conflicts continued to shape daily life across various regions.
Responding to that landscape, the Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation, originally the Crisis Management Initiative (CMI), unveiled its “Help Us Keep The Night Silent” campaign, using the image of Santa Claus in a bulletproof vest to capture mounting concern over global instability.
The campaign was launched to raise awareness about deteriorating security conditions and the urgent need for sustained mediation efforts in fragile political settings. It also sought to raise funds for CMI’s work in conflict-affected regions.
“Even in an unstable world, essential work does not stop – not for Santa, and not for CMI,” said Hanna Klinge, the foundation’s deputy director general. “Peacemaking rarely makes headlines, but its absence defines them. With this campaign, we wanted to highlight the issues that shape our work every day, work that continues with commitment and determination, even when global conditions are difficult.”
The campaign’s release coincided with CMI’s 25th anniversary. Founded in 2000 by Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former Finnish President Martti Ahtisaari, the organization has become one of the world’s leading actors in dialogue and conflict resolution, working in highly polarized and politically fragile environments where traditional diplomacy often struggles to have an impact.
To mark the milestone, CMI hosted a high-level event on Dec. 3 in Helsinki. International figures, including former Irish President Mary Robinson, HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal of Jordan, African Union Special Envoy on Women, Peace, and Security Liberata Mulamula, and former Afghan First Deputy Speaker Fawzia Koofi, attended the event. Finnish President Alexander Stubb opened the program, which also featured the premiere of the campaign video.
Santa Claus, a character widely recognized across cultures and closely tied to Finland, served as the focal point of the campaign. Placing him in protective gear introduced a stark contrast between a figure associated with peace and joy and the realities of the current global security environment.
The image was intended to prompt reflection on the vulnerability of peace and the growing demands on those working to prevent and resolve conflicts. By leveraging a universally familiar symbol, CMI aimed to draw attention to global instability and encourage support for mediation efforts.
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