Thematic Direction

WHAT IS PEACE?

In an era defined by discord and uncertainty, the 11th edition of Geneva Peace Week boldly poses a fundamental question: "What is Peace?". As the world grapples with escalating conflicts, growing inequality and unprecedented global challenges, this overarching theme serves as a poignant reminder of the elusive nature of peace and the urgent need to redefine and reaffirm its significance. “What is Peace?” is above all a call to action from across the globe.

Against the backdrop of an increasingly fragmented world, Geneva Peace Week 2024 seeks to explore the multifaceted dimensions of peace, probing its meaning, as peace can be understood in many ways, but also its value, and its intrinsic connection to the well-being of humanity. There is a growing recognition of the need for collective action and international cooperation. The future role of the multilateral system in peacebuilding and prevention efforts will be key in the years to come. Initiatives such as The New Agenda for Peace, the Summit of the Future, and the 2025 United Nations Peacebuilding Architecture Review demonstrate our collective endeavour to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Through a series of thought-provoking discussions, interactive workshops, and engaging panels, participants will embark on a journey to unravel the essence of peace and discover new pathways towards its attainment. To this extent, partner organisations have the opportunity to design events such as panels or workshops on one of the keywords provided below: 
 

• Peace Finance
• Peace and Trade
• Peace and Tech
• Confidence and Trust Building
• Armed Conflict and Humanitarian Action 
• Human Security and Disarmament
• Food Security
• Environment, Climate and Peace
• Peace Responsive Approaches 
• Prevention and Root Causes 
• Children and Youth 
• Gender, Minorities and Identities
• Local Actors and Local Communities
• International Geneva and Peacebuilding
• Sustainable Peace Infrastructures, Initiatives and Institutions
• Mental Health
• Human Rights, Social Justice and Inclusion

To guide conversations and help organisers design their events, the consortium has prepared a series of questions on each of the keywords of GPW24 that are available here.

Geneva Peace Week reaffirms the unwavering commitment of individuals and organisations around the world to building a more peaceful and just future. In a world where peace often seems like a distant dream, Geneva Peace Week offers a glimmer of hope—a reminder that, even in the darkest of times, peace is possible if we are willing to work together to make it a reality.