Peace Research Community Europe (PEACE)

The world is currently facing numerous significant challenges concerning peace and security. Violent conflicts and the number of casualties have doubled in the past decade. The Global Peace Index, which attempts to quantify peace at the global level, has been deteriorating for the ninth consecutive year. The war in Ukraine and the renewed violence in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict raise fundamental questions about how to prevent the outbreak of violent conflicts. Additionally, climate change and polarization also pose serious challenges to peace and security, even in relatively “peaceful” environments. This calls for profound reflections on peace, reducing insecurity, and preventing violent conflicts. Therefore, the PEACE Action brings together a trans-European and interdisciplinary research community to expand and strengthen the network of peace and conflict research centers and researchers across Europe.

The main challenge for the PEACE Action is to improve our understanding of contemporary challenges concerning peace and security on the European continent and beyond, inspiring new research, policies, and practices. The key focus areas will include peace and climate, feminist peace, peace and emerging technologies, local peace, and new architectures for peace and security in Europe. Additionally, the network will support a new generation of peace and conflict researchers in advancing their careers.

Dr. Iztok Šori, a member of the management board, and researchers from the Peace Institute will participate in working groups within the Action, attend events, and contribute to publications.