Hundreds of young people from Europe and neighbouring countries will meet in Berlin in November 2018 to develop present-day ideas for peace in the light of issues raised by the end of the First World War 100 years ago.
The meeting marks the culmination of a programme organised by the Franco-German Youth Office, an exchange organisation created as part of the reconciliation between France and Germany after two world wars.
Since 2014, participants have been actively involved in commemorations at the sites of protracted Great War battles between the two countries, at Verdun and Hartmannswillerkopf in Alsace.
A total of 500 people, aged 15-22, have been selected from 48 countries to take part in Youth for Peace in Berlin.
Transnational
Chosen from a pool of more than 1,600 applicants, they will spend three days in the German capital, developing ideas for peace and a transnational culture of remembrance.
Participants will be asked to consider diverse views of the events occurring at the end of the Great War. These include the consequences for the affected countries; the challenges of transition from war to peace; present-day notions of peace in Europe and relations between the continent and its eastern and southern neighbours.
The meeting will end with an opportunity for presentations to politicians and discussions. Germany’s President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and Foreign Minister, Heiko Maas, are expected to attend the opening and closing ceremonies.
‘Youth for Peace – 100 Years after World War I, 100 Ideas for Peace’ takes place in Berlin from November 14-18 under the patronage of the German Federal Foreign Office and France’s First World Centenary organisation, Mission Centenaire 14-18. The event is organised by the Franco-German Youth Office (FGYO) and its international partners.
The FGYO was created in 1963 as part of the moves to reconcile France and Germany, led by President de Gaulle and Chancellor Adenauer. It encourages exchanges between young people to reinforce mutual understanding.
Also in Centenary News:
Armistice Centenary peace forum in Paris
Images: FGYO logo © – by permission of Office franco-allemand pour la Jeunesse/Deutsch-Französisches Jugendwerk; Fort Douaumont – Centenary News
Posted by: CN Editorial Team