From 9 to 11 July 2025, the Peace Institute Freiburg of the Protestant University of Applied Sciences Freiburg and the Berghof Foundation organized an international conference titled Global Perspectives on Peace Education. This event served as a follow-up to the national networking conference on peace education held in September 2024, expanding the conversation to include a broader international community. The Peace Education Hub (Faculty of Philosophy – University of Sarajevo) was honoured to participate as part of the international expert community, contributing to discussions and panel presentations that explored innovative approaches to peace education in diverse and post-conflict contexts. The primary aim of the conference was to create dialogue between international experts and the German-speaking professional community, fostering cross-cultural exchange and reflection on current peace education practices.

The three-day conference featured keynote speeches, thematic workshops, and interdisciplinary discussions. Participants engaged in panels, group discussions, and collaborative sessions, sharing diverse experiences and exploring new approaches to peace education.

The first day was organized around three main panels:Theoretical Foundations and Curricular Developments, Decolonial and Power-Critical Approaches, and Peace Education in the Context of Crises and Wars.

One of the presentations in the third panel was delivered by Lejla Mulalić from the Peace Education Hub at the University of Sarajevo, who spoke on “Teaching Peace through Novels about War in Post-Conflict Bosnia and Herzegovina” and introduced the activities of the Peace Education Hub. The presentation focused on Adisa Bašić’s novel Knjiga o Almiru / The Book about Almir (2024), illustrating how literature can foster empathy, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of peace in post-conflict settings. A central focus of the talk was on the provisionality of identities and the unique possibilities literature offers for engaging with complex ethical dilemmas.

The second day included a discussion and synthesis of the previous day’s panels in a plenary session. Participants shared the key points from their group discussions, comparing teaching experiences, methods, and cultural contexts. Mixed-group sessions provided opportunities for networking, deepening mutual understanding, and exploring the challenges and innovations in peace education from various regions.

The final day featured presentations of highlights from the mixed group discussions and a session focused on networking and future collaboration opportunities. The event concluded with a commitment to continue building collaborative networks for peace education, sharing resources, and promoting inclusive, interdisciplinary approaches.

Key Outcomes and Reflections

The conference highlighted several urgent issues in contemporary peace education, including:

  • Expanding the concept of peace beyond Western models
  • Integrating environmental and emotional dimensions into peace pedagogy
  • Recognizing self-care and emotional resilience as essential components of peace education for both educators and students
  • Developing futures literacy to help learners imagine and prepare for diverse and sustainable futures
  • Using storytelling, memory work, and literature as tools for fostering empathy and critical reflection
  • Addressing tech-colonialism and digital ethics in the context of global education
  • Supporting inclusive peace education practices that engage refugees, women, and youth
  • Promoting interconnectivity and collaboration among peace educators worldwide

The conference facilitated a rich exchange of stories, experiences, and innovative practices, opening up numerous avenues for future cooperation.