On May 9, 2025, the opening event of the international peace congress “Against Forgetting for Peace and Solidarity in Europe” took place in Berlin, marking the beginning of a two-year European youth project dedicated to exploring history and current social challenges.
On the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe, more than 110 young people from 17 countries participated in the introductory workshops and discussions. The opening address was given by the esteemed Ukrainian lawyer and human rights activist Dr. Tetiana Pechonchyk (ZMINA), who spoke about the role of civil society in prosecuting war crimes, especially in the context of the war in Ukraine.
An important part of the program was also a workshop co-led by Uroš Dokl from the National Liberation Museum Maribor (MNOM) and Sabina Belc from the National Youth Council of Slovenia (MSS). Under their mentorship, participants explored the complexity of individuals and their roles within wartime conditions. The workshop prompted reflection on the question: What does it mean to remain human in inhuman circumstances?
The youth rated the workshop as one of the best at the entire congress.
The peace congress in Berlin thus successfully laid the groundwork for further activities that will take place in various countries, including Slovenia.
