Europe United for Peace in Frankfurt-Germany
On Thursday, 18 December 2025, approximately 600 distinguished guests from five European countries, including Germany, the Czech Republic, and France, convened in Frankfurt Griesheim for the Peace City Gala Night. The event focused on the vital role of leadership in fostering peaceful and resilient societies amid Europe’s growing social and political challenges.
The gala marked the conclusion of a series of initiatives organized by the Frankfurt based organization Peace City 069. Participants from civil society, politics, religious communities, education, and cultural institutions came together with the shared objective of strengthening dialogue, social responsibility, cohesion, and peace at both local and European levels.
The evening opened with welcoming addresses by prominent religious leaders. Rabbi David Basok highlighted the central importance of education, dialogue, and civil engagement in peacebuilding, stating that peace requires sustained effort through learning, communication, and practical action.
A central feature of the program was a high level panel discussion entitled “Europe as a Peace Project Origins, Future Responsibility, and the Role of Cities.” Speakers from diverse social sectors, including a mayor from the Paris metropolitan region, reflected on the responsibility of cities and local leadership in shaping inclusive and peaceful communities.
Matthias Bohnning, Secretary General of the International Society for Human Rights IGFM, emphasized that urban centers must actively provide young people with non violent, meaningful opportunities and pathways for social participation as a preventive measure against marginalization and conflict.
Addressing European decision makers, Ricarda Haase, Head of the German branch of HWPL Germany e.V., stressed that peace is neither abstract nor self sustaining but a shared responsibility that requires awareness, commitment, and action from all sectors of society.
A particularly significant moment of the evening was the presentation of the Religious Peace Academy, an international educational initiative dedicated to strengthening interfaith dialogue. More than 50 religious leaders participated in this initiative, including priests, imams, pastors, administrators, theology students, and representatives from Buddhism, Hinduism, Christianity, Sikhism, and Islam. Together, they signed a declaration committing themselves to transforming dialogue into concrete projects that promote interreligious cooperation and social cohesion.
The presence of Arshad Ahmad Shahbaz, Chairman of the Progressive Union of Foreigners Party from the Scientific City of Darmstadt and Vice Chairman of the Foreigners Advisory Council, along with Council Board Member Akbar Javed, added significant academic and societal depth to the event, underscoring its relevance beyond the local context.
Kallon Singh, a Sikh priest from Austria, underlined the importance of shared learning platforms and sustained dialogue as essential tools for building mutual understanding and long term social harmony.
The evening concluded with a series of cultural and artistic performances from the Czech Republic, Germany, and France, reflecting Europe’s diversity and reinforcing the unifying message of peace through culture.
Founded in early 2025 in Frankfurt, the Peace City Initiative seeks to embed peace as a lived and practical value within urban life. The organizers announced plans to further expand the initiative’s activities in the coming year, strengthening its impact across cities and communities in Europe.
Thanks -Yasir Mir -Grmany
