From 29 to 31 October 2025, representatives of the European University for Peace, Justice and Inclusive Societies (EUPeace) took part in the Paris Peace Forum 2025, one of the world’s leading platforms for dialogue on global governance and peacebuilding. A multi-stakeholder event, the Forum brought together heads of state, Nobel Peace Prize laureates, international organisations, researchers, and civil society leaders, including high-level participants such as French President Emmanuel Macron, to exchange ideas on strengthening international cooperation and addressing global challenges.
Founded in 2018, the Paris Peace Forum (PPF) serves as a global platform dedicated to advancing collective action for peace through improved global governance. Held once a year in in Paris, this invitation-only event brings together both state and non-state actors and offers a unique space for high-level dialogue and cooperation. By fostering concrete exchanges between governments, international organisations, researchers, civil society, and the private sector, the Forum transforms ideas into tangible commitments for a more sustainable and peaceful world.
EUPeace Delegation: Academia and Youth in Action
EUPeace was represented by Evelyn Korn from Marburg University, José Manuel Sáenz Rotko from Universidad Pontificia Comillas, Celine Meslier and Alice Brites Osorio from Université de Limoges, and the EUPeace students Hannah Moll, Emily West, Shila Teichmann, Anna Reichling, Tita Körner, Anna Izmalkova, Maria Günther, Celina Schuldt, and Sophia Isa. The delegation was coordinated thanks to an invitation received by Alice Brites Osorio, Research Network Development Officer at Université de Limoges, who enabled the participation of the wider EUPeace representatives. Their active involvement underscored EUPeace’s mission to connect academia, policymaking, and youth engagement in advancing peace, justice, and inclusive societies.
Engaging in Global Conversations
Throughout the event, the EUPeace delegation joined a range of high-level discussions that explored diverse facets of peace as, for instance, Europe’s role in shaping a just world order, especially in light of the transformations driven by artificial intelligence; securing the role of science as a stabilizing pillar of society; dealing with climate change; mitigating humanitarian crises; restoring peace in post-war societies: In short, the delegation participated in discussions that are reflected in EUPeace’s research and teaching portfolio. Particularly touching was the panel ’30 Years after the Dayton-Paris Accords: What Aspirations for the Peace Generation in Bosnia and Herzegovina?’, a theme closely connected to EUPeace’s identity — which recently showed in the student peace declaration brought forward by EUPeace’s students from Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is constantly visible in the image of the old Mostar Bridge, EUPeace’s logo symbolising reconciliation and cooperation across divides.
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Reflecting on the experience, Alice Brites Osorio shared her impressions of the Forum, highlighting how the discussions deepened her understanding of the interconnectedness between peace, science, and governance:
“We gained valuable insights for both our individual work and our collective mission as an Alliance. Throughout the sessions — especially during ‘Rebalancing Global Order: Can Europe Find Its Voice?’ where it was recognised that ‘Europe needs to have solidarity in many fields’ — I felt strongly that our work of building bridges between universities and society (in the international and the local level) aligns fully with what was expressed at the Forum. I was deeply grateful for the opportunity to engage directly with people I admire. By the end of the event, we were all energised and inspired — warmly welcomed by the organisation and proud to contribute to a forum whose values resonate so strongly with ours.”
— Alice Brites Osorio, Research Network Development Officer, University of Limoges
© University of Limoges via Alice Brites Osorio De OliveiraEmpowering the Next Generation of Peacebuilders
As part of the Forum’s Youth Track, some EUPeace participants met with Angel Gurría, President of the Paris Peace Forum, to exchange views on the role of young leaders and universities in global peacebuilding. This dialogue highlighted the importance of higher education institutions as catalysts for civic engagement, innovation, and social responsibility.
Commenting on the significance of student participation, EUPeace Chair of the Governing Board, Professor Evelyn Korn, emphasised the Alliance’s commitment to empowering the next generation of peacebuilders. “It was fascinating to see how the EUPeace student group merged into the discussions and connected the themes to the alliance’s vision of the future. During our lunchtime meetings I could feel how the insights on humanitarian action or the ideas of providing safe environments for children reverberated in the students. That was a deeply inspiring experience.” — Prof. Dr. Evelyn Korn, Chair of the EUPeace Governing Board, Marburg University
A Shared Commitment to Europe’s Core Values
The EUPeace delegation returned from Paris inspired by the exchange of ideas and united in its commitment to strengthen collaboration between students, researchers, and institutions across Europe. Their participation reaffirmed EUPeace’s core mission: to serve as a bridge between science and society, and to empower the next generation to lead through dialogue, cooperation, and shared European values.
