From June 6th – 9th 2014 the biggest international peace event in the context of the outbreak of the First World War in 2014 will take place in Sarajevo. The numerous activities and events are prepared and coordinated by an international coalition, including the International Peace Burau (IPB, 1910 Nobel Peace Prize laureate), pax christi, the International Fellowship of Reconciliation (IFOR), the Helsinki City Assembly, the International Network for a Culture of Nonviolence and Peace, and the Network for Building Peace (Mreza mira).
In addition, the preparations are supported by peace groups of all states of the former Yugoslavia. Over a period of three days, among the central plenary sessions and round tables, more than 190 workshops, many cultural events and an international Youth Camp will be part of the event. The Nobel Peace Prize laureates Mairead Maguire and Adolfo Pérez Esquivel, as well as Members of the European Parliament and national parliaments will attend the Peace Event.
German organisations of the peace and social movements such as IPPNW Germany, pax christi Germany, Federation of Social Defence, Werkstatt für Gewaltfreiheit Baden, Layers against Nuclear Weapons, Kultur des Friedens, Scientists for Peace conduct activities during the Peace Event and 70 German participants are expected.
The preparations for the Peace Event Sarajevo 2014 have entered their final phase. The streets of Sarajevo will turn to a great colorful meeting point of peace activists from all over the world, as well as to a symbol of tolerance and solidarity. The Peace Event Sarajevo 2014 will be an important opportunity for all its participants to exchange knowledge, experience, thoughts, ideas and passion for peace building and human rights.
Several thousands of people mainly from Europe and the region of the Western Balkans will commit themselves to peace, speaking out together in favour of peace and against war 100 years after the beginning of World War I. People all over the world want to live in peace – but the last century has seen wars and violence at all levels and in most parts of the world including the former Yugoslavia. The event organizers emphasize that the power of active non-violence is the only sustainable way to transform a world of wars and violence into a culture of peace and non-violence. Current events in the Ukraine, Syria, Central Africa and many other parts of the world, as well as the wars in Yugoslavia in the 1990s and the current social protests in Bosnia and Herzegovina require our joint commitment and public statement that there are alternatives to war in the form of civil, non-violent conflict transformation, as stated in the UNESCO declaration on a “Culture of Peace”, and as proven by many successful non-violent campaigns.
The Peace Event will offer numerous activities to present the culture of non-violence and peace. It will also cover a broad range of issues, including “social justice”, “gender, women and peace”, “reconciliation & dealing with the past”, “militarism and alternatives”, “nonviolent actions”, “human security”, analysis and testimonies from different regions of the world. Current issues such as the Ukraine crisis will also be on the agenda. More than 190 workshops, many cultural events (for example a big peace concert including songs from Pete Seeger) and an international Youth Camp will be part of the event. The Nobel Peace Prize laureates Mairead Maguire und Adolfo Pérez Esquivel will attend the opening and closing ceremonies.
More detailed information is available on our website: http://www.peaceeventsarajevo2014.eu
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Please register as soon as possible. We are always available for interviews.
Press contact (International): com@peaceeventsarajevo2014.eu
Press contact (Germany): Reiner Braun (0049 172 2317475) (from June 3 -10 also: 00387
62 346505); hr.braun@gmx.net
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