The Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Union (COMECE) is pleased to invite stakeholders, institutions and the wider public to participate in a high-level conference “Peacebuilding in Europe: what role for catholic social thought and universal values?” to be held in Luxembourg on Friday, 23 January 2026, from 9h00 to 17h00. Participation will be possible in person as well as online, as the event will be live-streamed. Register now to participate!
The conference will be dedicated to the pressing issue of peacebuilding, understood as a comprehensive and integrated process encompassing all the political, social, economic, cultural and relational dimensions involved in the construction of sustainable peace.
While the focus of the conference is international, particular attention will be given to the European dimension. Today, the European Union appears surrounded by conflicts and ongoing wars, yet it remains a central actor in the promotion of peace, human rights, cooperation and multilateral dialogue. In this context, reflecting on peacebuilding is not only relevant but urgently necessary.
The conference will be structured around several thematic sessions, each addressing a specific aspect of peacebuilding. These will range from the promotion of dialogue and diplomacy to the material and social reconstruction of post-conflict societies, with particular attention to the reconstruction of Ukraine.
Special focus will also be placed on the transition from a war economy to a peace-oriented economy, examining how economic policies and financial instruments can support recovery, resilience and long-term stability. The sessions will also address the challenge of social inequalities, recognising their role both as drivers of conflict and as obstacles to sustainable peace, and will explore pathways towards greater social justice and inclusion.
The discussions will also reflect on the role of European integration as a peacebuilding project in itself, considering how enlargement, cooperation and shared values can contribute to reconciliation, trust-building and the strengthening of democratic institutions across the continent.
The conference will bring together high-level EU officials, representatives of Christian Churches, members of the European Parliament, academic experts, policy advisers representing a broad range of stakeholders, representatives of workers’ unions, economists and business leaders. The event will also feature video messages from the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, as well as other high-level representatives of EU institutions. This wide spectrum of voices highlights the need for a truly cross-sectoral and inclusive approach to peacebuilding, capable of bridging institutions, society and the economic sphere.
This conference is jointly organised by COMECE together with the Centesimus Annus Pro-Pontefice Foundation and the Luxembourg School of Religion & Society (LSRS).
The conference will take place at the venue of the Luxembourg School of Religion & Society (LSRS), Centre Jean XXIII, 52, rue Jules Wilhelm, L-2728 Luxembourg. A Mass will be celebratred at 8h00, while the conference will start at 9h00. The conference will be held in English and French.
Participation will be possible in person as well as online, as the event will be live-streamed. Registration is mandatory. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER