Geneva, 10th September 2025– ‘Peace is Possible’ at the Palais des Nations

 What does it take to choose hope over fear? To rebuild trust where it has been broken? To believe, again, that peace can take root even in the most fractured places?

Ahead of the International Day of Peace under the overarching theme of ‘Act Now for a Peaceful World’, Interpeace, the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform, and the United Nations Office at Geneva hosted the 13^th edition of the Geneva PeaceTalks, demonstrating that ‘Peace is Possible’!

This year witnessed 9 unique speakers from all over the world and a musical performance in a spirit of unification to highlight how understanding, trust-building, and fostering respect between all of us is not just a shared responsibility—it is needed now, more than ever, to ensure a sustainable and inclusive peace.

The first PeaceTalks began in 2011 in Geneva, Switzerland, and has since expanded globally: 28 editions have taken place globally across 8 countries, bringing together more than 250 speakers from over 60 nationalities.

Now, more than ever, we need to see inspirational stories of peace, and personal testimonies to how peace is rooted in daily choices. (Add in something magic of peacetalks).

Beginning with a Welcome Statement by Director-General of the United Nations (UN) at Geneva, Ms. Tatiana Valovaya reaffirmed the role of the UN in preventing violence, upholding shared values of humanity, and promoting community resilience in the face of conflict. Ms. Valovaya offered a question to audience members, which helped to shape careful reflection during the PeaceTalks: what step will you take, today, or tomorrow …. for peace?

To begin to answer this question, we had the honour of Her Excellency Lolwah bint Rashid bin Mohammed, Minister of Education and Higher Education in the State of Qatar share her personal testimony to the power of education, and getting back to a shared point on global values for humanity.

As Her Excellency stated: ‘Let us set as aside ideological baggage and agree on a very basic set of rights’…. including education, health, life, and food and nutrition. Along with the promotion of human rights and returning to diplomacy, dialogue, and the rule of law, we can ensure that the world is set on a more peaceful path.

What we also need to do is offer individuals a way to recognize that they hold individual power in enacting positive change—and this can begin by listening to one another. Elizabeth Laskar and Miranda Shaw, of Creators of Peace International, shared a powerful duo Talk speaking to the catalyst effect beginning when we free our minds of judgement and form stronger interpersonal relationships.

‘‘Peace becomes possible when we share and communicate our hopes for it.’’ — Miranda Shaw, Creators of Peace International

 

Fostering understanding allows us to see new dimensions of what ‘peace’ can look like. It also allows us to look beyond differences for the benefit of all in the spirit of reconciliation and social healing. True peace begins when individuals are confronted with the decision to look past their fears and prejudices, and learn to live together, despite the deepest of wounds.

This is what Frank Kayitare, Interpeace’s Country Representative in Rwanda, shared in a powerful message on reconciliation amongst Hutu and Tutsi communities affected by the  1994 genocide against the Tutsi. In the Bugesera district of Eastern Rwanda, an elderly woman divulged to Kayitare that instead of choosing to avenge her family members who were killed in the genocide, her decision to advocate for forgiveness transformed hatred into healing, and healing into hope for the prosperity of future generations.

As Kayitare states: ‘‘…. If each of us can try to give the other the benefit of the doubt, if we can try to get rid of prejudice, if we can go beyond our fear of ‘the other’… we can make peace’’.

Following our first half of the PeaceTalks programme, audience members were treated to a beautiful musical interlude, ‘Three Pieces for Solo Clarinet’, interpreted by Adrien Philipp, Principal Clarinetist for Swiss Philharmonic Pro Pace. His performance was introduced by Bozena Schmid-Amanczyk, who reminded all that music too, is a universal language of peace. It allows individuals to express emotions that may be too challenging to speak, transports culture, and unites us all in rhythm and movement.

‘’… Peace begins not with speeches but with dialogue—and true dialogue begins with listening’’. — Hind Aboud Kabawat

Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), shares how moments of naivety—acting with openness, curiosity, and trust—can lead to innovation, compassion, and peace. According to Chapagain, peace often begins when individuals can imagine that change is possible, and when local actors are given the tools they need to actualise solutions built with dignity and humility.

He invites audience members to partake in his vision: ”Let’s imagine a world where the emblems of Red Cross and Red Crescent are no longer the symbols of emergency, but they are the symbols of enduring peace… where our ambulances stay idle, and our emergency centers are actually empty… because we collectively as a humanity have taken a different path”.

Music is not the only form of art that can be used as a tool for peace: theatre can promote healing and expression. Guila Clara Kessous shared her journey as a UNESCO Artist and Ambassador for Peace, advocating for innovative approaches to diplomacy and peacebuilding with a new toolkit. Inside, she proposes that we use the arts, ’unconventional’ methods, and entrepreneurial diplomacy to advance dialogue and global cooperation.

Kessous also reminded audience members that diplomacy and peacebuilding cannot be done effectively without women’s equal particiption. ‘‘Give women a seat at the table, and the world will win’’, she urges.

The narratives we consume and propagate also play a large role in impacting how we ensure that people care about, and promote peace. For Caroline Vuillemin, Director-General of Fondation Hirondelle, having access to reliable and trustworthy information, particularly in conflict situations, is a precondition for peace. Working in Myanmar, the Central African Republic, Sudan and more, Vuillemin confirms that populations who are informed are more comforted, more aware of their rights, and provides agency to community actors. Her personal vision: ‘‘…Mettre chaque jour les médias au service de la dignité, du dialogue, et de la paix’’ (to ensure that each day, the media contributes to dignity, dialogue, and peace).

This message echoed strongly for Her Excellency Hind Aboud Kabawat, Board Member of Interpeace and Syria’s Minister of Social Affairs and Labour. From working with women in Syria, to educating students on negotiation and mediation, Kabawat shares that the elements of justice, dialogue, and women’s leadership are essential to building a transformative and sustainable peace.

She articulates: ‘‘To choose dialogue is to choose hope. To empower women is to empower resilience. To uphold justice is to uphold humanity’’.

Geneva PeaceTalks 2025 ended on a positive note, with both Itonde Kakoma, President and CEO of Interpeace, and Ambassador Julien Thoeni, Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament and Deputy Permanent Representative of Switzerland to the United Nations sharing closing remarks. Their messages recalled the shared message that joined together attendees at the 13^th PeaceTalks: peace is possible, and achievable through collaborative efforts, sustained dialogue, and reaffirmed strategic partnerships.

Thank you to all who joined us either in-person or online at the PeaceTalks in a spirit of education and listening to those working to put peace at the heart of their daily lives. We hope that you were inspired and could reflect on how you too, can improve peace. Interpeace thanks the United Nations Office at Geneva, the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform, the Swiss Federation and Confederation, as well as our sponsors: Mirabaud Foundation and Hinduja Foundation for their generous support.

How can you work to share that peace is possible, even in the most desperate of circumstances?