An independent group consisting of academics, artists, and business people, including political scientist Prof. Dr. Ulrike Gu\u00e9rot, one of Germany\u2019s leading European experts, actress Isabelle Casel, and journalist Peter van Stigt, has launched a new initiative called the European Peace Project.<\/p>\n
The project aims to put the future of Europe into the hands of its citizens and promote sustainable peace on the continent.<\/p>\n
The project currently boasts over 15,000 participants, Gu\u00e9rot says<\/strong><\/p>\n German political scientist Ulrike Gu\u00e9rot has provided an update on the European Peace Project, revealing significant growth and future plans, including an application for United Nations funding and the organization of a major conference in 2026.<\/p>\n Speaking about the initiative, Gu\u00e9rot told Harici that, \u201cI\u2019m very happy that our European Peace Project<\/em> is gathering so much attention.\u201d She reported that the project currently boasts over 15,000 participants, noting that the high volume of interest has temporarily overloaded their website.<\/p>\n A key development is the project\u2019s application for UN funding. Gu\u00e9rot explained, \u201cwe yesterday applied for UN funding for the project because we fit into the Sustainable Development Goals No. 16, which is peace, and there is a project where you can apply when you are going with creativity and art, and that is what we are doing.\u201d The project hopes this funding will allow it to continue its work beyond May 9th.<\/p>\n Looking ahead, the European Peace Project<\/em> plans to create a digital gallery showcasing participants\u2019 contributions. Gu\u00e9rot encouraged supporters to \u201cread the manifesto at the place you are, send us photos, send us your video material, and then we will have soon a digital gallery.\u201d<\/p>\n ‘We are rebuilding the next Europe for the 21st century’<\/strong><\/p>\n With a database of approximately 15,000 participant emails, the project is also setting its sights on a significant future event: a Hertenstein 2.0 conference scheduled for September 2026. Gu\u00e9rot drew a parallel to the original Hertenstein gathering in 1946, where European citizens convened after World War II \u201cand they wanted to create a federal and social and just Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n Gu\u00e9rot framed the upcoming conference within the context of the present, stating, \u201cwe are now at a moment in time where the European Union is failing, we are rebuilding the next Europe for the 21st century.\u201d She expressed optimism that the large number of participants in the European Peace Project would enable them \u201cto build a European people\u2019s conference, a European citizens conference for September 2026.\u201d<\/p>\n Concluding her remarks, Gu\u00e9rot conveyed her gratitude, saying, \u201cI\u2019m very thankful, I\u2019m delighted for all the people who have been participating so far and who are helping us to make it a huge event, 80 years after World War II, European citizens proclaim peace.\u201d<\/p>\n The main event of the project will take place on May 9, 2025, at 5:00 PM. On this date, citizens in all countries across the European continent and in all European languages will simultaneously shout peace slogans from their windows, balconies, and squares.<\/p>\n The project organizers emphasize that the efforts of the European Union and national governments to drag Europe into war against Russia constitute a betrayal of fundamental European principles such as peace, democracy, freedom, and mutual understanding among peoples.<\/p>\n The project asks participants to film and photograph their actions and send them to be published in a digital gallery to be created on the project website. In this way, it will be documented that European citizens are on the side of peace, not war.<\/p>\n Participation in the project is possible individually or as an organization. It is stated that everyone who participates will be represented by a peace dove symbol on an interactive European map in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n