In November 21st 2024 Ingvar Rönnbäck, Founder and Chair of Another Development Foundation was invited to a public dialogue about reviving European, multilateral, inclusive, negotiated peace-making, to help end the Russia-Ukraine war.

In this post we copy from the invitation by the organizer World BEYOND War:

”The horrific Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Palestine wars and the apparent unwillingness for negotiated solutions can make us forget that Europe has not only a tradition of conflict, but a long tradition of peace-making as well. 1648, 1815, 1878, 1919-23, 1945-47, 1975, 1990, 2015 mark some of those historic moments on the old continent. Although not alwasy easy, sometimes controversial and contested, those pacifying conventions of the past give us hope and indicate a possible way out of the current conflicts that have been triggered in Eastern Europe and West Asia. Normally the governments and other public authorities should initiate peace negotiations – but unfortunately, they rather tend to further escalate and prolong this war. Therefore, it falls to civil society to remind our leaders of their duty to maintain and restore peace. This European ”Peace Congress” is one such attempt to revive the European culture of peace-making.

The debate comes in the wider context of Mrs. Kaja Kallas, known for her understandably strong positions concerning Russia, being elected EU High Representative of the EU. The purpose of the debate is therefore to find realistic yet legally sound ways out of the current conflict scenario in the Russia-Ukraine war through reinvigorating multilateralism in peace negotiations, with the inclusion of the ”enemy”. This approach, while contrasting with the current EU and U.S. strategy, aligns with Europe’s historical tradition of rebuilding peace together after major conflicts. Moreover, it seems to reflect the evolving realities on the Ukrainian battlefield too. As the ”long as it takes approach” faces limitations, an exit strategy becomes increasingly necessary. 

The event was organized by Hand Hedrich, political scientist, environmental and peace activist from Romania/Germany, with support of the World BEYOND War – Chapter Peace Barricade, Romania.

Ingvar Rönnbäck from ADF participated with the purpose of learning and networking with peace initiatives in Europe and with a strong interest for activities organized by World BEYOND War.

Several follow-up discussions with World BEYOND War will take place in the nearby future.