Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t so beautiful, when the teams from Munich, Slaté Moravce and Bolzano met for the third time in Bolzano - in keeping with the major theme of "Desire for Peace", which is currently characterised by great fears and extensive threats.
During the four project days, the topic was approached from a variety of different perspectives. We looked at philosophical texts and positions on the topic, starting with Aristotle and ending with the Norwegian social scientist and founder of peace and conflict research, Johan Galtung (positive and negative peace).
Together with representatives of the Alexander Langer Foundation, we analysed Alexander Langer's ten theses, which, according to the late politician, are necessary for peaceful coexistence. We enquired why Victory Square has still not been permanently renamed Peace Square, explored the associated monuments and investigated the many reasons for the war in Ukraine, some of which are historical.
The day at the Franzensfeste, a fortress that was never used for its original purpose and is now used as a cultural centre, once again raised the question of how to deal with "warlike" monuments, as well as the discovery of bunkers and, with the current exhibition, a reflection on whether artists have a different approach to our topic and to what extent visual art can also contribute to peace awareness.
On Friday, Roland Benedikter and Paolo De Stefani, two recognised experts and holders of UNESCO chairs, discussed intensively and critically whether it is even possible to secure peace in today's society in the long term, whether there is such a thing as peace education and to what extent it can be efficient and effective. The positive responses from Roland Benedikter and Paolo De Stefani, who also gave a very vivid account of UNESCO's goals and tasks, encouraged the group in their endeavours to address the topic in the current project. It is necessary to create more and more awareness of the current difficulties and opportunities for change. Communication and cooperation must never be allowed to break down.
The days in Bolzano have once again shown how well this communication between young people can work.
Whether this togetherness is really enough or what concrete steps still need to be taken (at all political and social levels) is a question that could not be resolved in the four days in Bolzano, but the young people involved have faced central questions and discussions - and will continue to do so - as intensively as their commitment in Bolzano was.