Peace, the opportunity to imagine it together: “In Paris to not resign ourselves to wars”

ROMA – In a time of serious global crisis, due to the many ongoing conflicts – such as in Ukraine and Gaza – and the risk of their expansion on a global level, the Community of Sant’Egidio promotes, together with the archdiocese of Paris, the International Meeting Imagine Peace – Imagine Peace. For three days, from 22 to 24 September, a “people of peace” of different generations from Europe and other continents will meet in the French capital, with the aim of comparing themselves and making their voices heard, those of those who do not give up in the face of too many innocent victims, thousands of displaced people and the devastation caused by war. In the inaugural assembly at Congress Palaceon the afternoon of September 22nd, and in the various panels (over 20) planned in the heart of Paris (IV, V and VI districts), the emerging issues of our time will be addressed, with particular attention to the themes of peace and disarmament, the environmental and migrant crisis, democracy and solidarity.

THE PROGRAM

The planned interventions. Among the personalities who will speak, there will be numerous representatives of the institutions, starting with the French President Emmanuel Macron, of the Christian Churches (from the Archbishop of Paris Laurent Ulrich to the Cardinal of Kinshasa, Fridolin Ambongo Besungu, from the Chaldean Patriarch, Louis Raphaël Sako, and the Assyrian Patriarch, Mar Awa Royel, to the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby), of Judaism and Islam (with important delegations from the Middle East, Pakistan and Indonesia), of Buddhism, Hinduism and Asian religions together with many exponents of the world of economics and culture, such as the French academic Amin Maalouf, in addition to the founder of the Community of Sant’Egidio Andrea Riccardi. But a significant popular participation is also expected, especially from young people from different European countries.

Where the final ceremony will take place. It will be on the steps of Notre Dame Cathedral, where a message from Pope Francis is expected, testimonies from countries at war will be heard and an appeal for peace addressed to those responsible for international politics will be proclaimed.