Peace dialogue in Schlaining: solutions for a world in crisis

Peace dialogue in Schlaining: solutions for a world in crisis

On June 30, 2025, the third Austrian Forum for Peace will take place in Friedensburg Schlaining, which is organized by the Austrian Peace Center (ACP). Critical dialogues and international cooperation are to be funded under the motto "Peace in Crisis - Challenges and opportunities for a world in transition". The conference will deal with current global crises such as the dramatic developments in the Middle East, the wars in Ukraine and Sudan as well as the unstable location in the Sahel zone. The effects of the Trump presidency on Europe and the role of digital disinformation are also discussed .

With an opening keynote by historian Yair Hirschfeld, one of the main negotiators of the Oslo Agreement, the focus will be on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. The conference aims to create rooms for civil society engagement and to offer a platform for the exchange of ideas and solutions .

future challenges and discussions

Several important discussions are planned on the first day of the conference. Among other things, a round will take place with Wolfgang Petritsch and Oliver Richmond, who deals with the Transatlantic Drift and the question of management in relation to peace and human security. A public panel discussion in the evening is headed by former Foreign Minister Ursula Plassnik and is entitled "Europe without Washington?" These formats offer the participants the opportunity to actively get involved in the discussion rounds and bring their perspectives .

The second day of conference is a highlight of the event, on which the topic "Peace dialogically, inclusive, rethinking solution" is in the foreground. In addition, a castle festival is organized on July 2, which offers international participants the opportunity to make contacts and exchange information. A special highlight will be the performance of the documentation "How to Build a Truth Engine" produced by George Clooney, followed by a discussion with the director Friedrich Moser .

The context of peace guesting

The latest developments in the Middle East and the associated crises require a comprehensive consideration of the peace process in the region. A collection of materials on the Middle East peace process, which, among other things, documents the EU aid for the Palestinians since the Oslo Agreement, underpins the need for sustainable solutions. These materials offer a look back at the most important developments of the peace process since the Madrid conference in 1991, including decisive EU declarations and international initiatives for conflict resolution .

Integrated peace engagement is a strategic pillar of German foreign policy that aims to prevent violent conflicts at an early stage. Civil, military and police means are used. The German strategy causes a profound examination of current conflicts and also supports legitimate actors to improve the living conditions of affected people. This commitment is not only crucial for international stability, but also for Germany's security goals, which aimed at a rule -based world order .

Overall, the third Austrian Forum for Peace offers an important platform to tackle pressing conflict issues and develop solutions based on cooperation and dialogue. The next highlight, the Burgfest, is ready to promote the exchange between people from different regions and to offer the opportunity to participate in this important dialogue about peace and security .