In times of political aggression, collective fear and growing uncertainty, the need for resolute peace-building work is becoming ever more urgent. However, this need is often overshadowed by prevailing narratives of deterrence, militarisation and realpolitik. The Austrian Forum for Peace 2026 therefore posed the question of how sustainable peace and security can be conceived and shaped beyond a purely military logic. Strategic de-escalation, diplomacy, dialogue and mediation, as well as civil society-led conflict transformation, are crucial for transforming crises into long-term development, stability and peace.

The 2026 Forum viewed peace as both a craft and an art. Peace work requires professional methods, expertise and international networks, but also creativity, empathy and intuition. Building on a people-centred and intersectional understanding of peace, the AFP 2026 focused on the security, dignity and agency of all people.

The Forum centred on key competencies and areas of action in modern peace work. These include, in particular, the ability to resolve conflicts through mediation and dialogue; the practice of international peace operations, including protection strategies and new technologies; and long-term approaches to conflict transformation such as reconciliation, peacebuilding and the culture of remembrance.

The aim was to bring together diplomats, academics, practitioners, students, policy-makers and representatives of civil society – including artists – to foster in-depth dialogue, intellectual exchange, creative processes and practical cooperation with a view to achieving sustainable peace. The forum provided a safe space and a variety of formats to put this aim into practice.

The plenary sessions of the conference can be accessed via the ACP podcast "Inside Conflict" and on Youtube.

AGENDA

Here you will find all information on the conference's focal topics, workshops and events as well as the participating experts.

Austrian Forum for Peace - Impressions (c) Foto Lexi