MAY 8: A DAY OF REMEMBRANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY
Distinguished readers,
May 8 is an important day for Europe and the world. It marks the end of World War II, which affected countless nations and caused immea- surable suffering and death. Eighty years ago, our continent was liberated from the tyranny of National Socialism. Millions of people who had suffered persecution and dictatorship could finally breathe a sigh of relief. But peace was anything but secure at that time. It was achieved through diplomacy, cooperation, and the courage of many people. People who said: “Never again!” This message is more relevant today than ever. Peace cannot be taken for granted. Peace must be achieved and defended. Peace is a decision that every generation must take anew. The current crises show how important remembrance is in order to take responsibility for the future. Remem- brance is not merely looking back. Remembrance is active action – it means taking a stand in the here and now. A culture of remembrance also means protecting democracy when it is threat- ened; showing moral courage where indifference prevails; maintaining a stance where populism divides. To mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, 80 young adults from 26 countries gath- ered in Berlin this May. They were responding to an invitation from nine international youth work organisations. Many of them have been shaped by their own experiences of war, discrimination, or
political oppression. In workshops and discussions, including with eyewitnesses from countries such as Ukraine and Israel, they developed projects, demands, and visions for peace and democracy. A key outcome of the youth camp was the “Peace Agenda”: the action plan contains concrete steps and project ideas that stand for a more peaceful coexistence and greater cross-border engage- ment among young people. In a world that is constantly changing, clear and concrete guide- lines are needed to achieve sustainable improve- ments. An agenda that is both visionary and prac- tical can make a real difference. The participants succeeded very well in this. We will incorporate the proposals into our ongoing work and, above all, further strengthen the central role of interna- tional youth exchange. Since the end of World War II, exchanges between young people from different countries have been an important educational opportunity and element of peace work. Through personal encoun- ters, young people learn not to let themselves be divided by nationality, religion, history, or origin, but to seek common ground. They break down prejudices, understand the perspectives of others, and practice resolving political conflicts peace- fully. This not only promotes mutual respect and tolerance, but also strengthens young people's ability to work for peace and democracy.
Youth4Peace
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