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The Meaning of Peace in Our TimeOpening Speech by Beate van der Meer on October 24, 2025, at the 2nd Peace Congress at Ordensburg Liebstedt. 
My first thought on the subject: yes, peace always matters, because without peace, everything is nothing! Peace is the essential element of our coexistence and the basic prerequisite for development, progress, and innovation. Peace is justice, cooperation, mutual respect, creativity, and love. Who is responsible for peace? Politics, governments, the UN, the EU, Trump?Given the failure of states to prevent wars and to resolve conflicts diplomatically, it might not be such a great idea to leave the question of war or peace up to them. So, are we — is each of us — responsible for peace? Everyone is affected when peace doesn’t work out … so everyone must somehow be responsible. How can that work? I found inspiration in an article in the online magazine Manova, with the fascinating title: The Banality of Goodness and an introductory line to an interview with author and artist Björn Gschwendtner about his “Book of World Peace”: “Just as fascism was able to spread through the small, everyday actions of ordinary citizens, so too should peace be able to spread.” — in other words, “to transform the banality of evil into its opposite.” Action, networking, education, and staying informed can send signals for peace and diplomacy. But what is meant here is something different — the spread of peace among people as the first prerequisite for peace in the world. People must become capable of peace. Peace as a fundamental attitude. Peace means resolving conflicts without polarization and without violence. Peace is not about being right. You don’t have to take sides to be for peace! Peace is balancing interests! Beyond the facts lies another level — the level of human encounter. Engaging with one another allows us to listen, perhaps even move between different standpoints, and seek solutions together. Peace is dialogue! Culture is peace! Music, theater, acrobatics, singing and dancing together connect us, make differing viewpoints fade into the background, and allow us to experience beauty, joy, and inspiration together. Courage is peace! Courage to stand up for peaceful coexistence, even when the world seems to go mad. Courage to engage in dialogue with everyone, even those who aren’t “on our wavelength” or those we are told “not to talk to.” Courage to endure another opinion and weigh it against our own position.
Love and respect for diversity and the beauty of life. Respect, openness, and curiosity toward other people, and connecting with them. At our congress, we will explore all these things. The program will include facts and background, discussions, and above all, culture, beauty, and reflections on love.
This contribution was the opening speech on October 24, 2025, at the 2nd Peace Congress at Ordensburg Liebstedt. Author: AI-Translation - Beate van der Meer | |
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