Last week, the International Institute for Human Security (IIHS) had the privilege of attending the 9th Basel Peace Forum, held in Switzerland from January 22–23, 2025. This year’s forum, under the theme “Reimagining Peace,” brought together over 300 participants in person and online to exchange ideas and redefine how we envision and approach peacebuilding in today’s complex world.
The forum featured 50 speakers from diverse regions, including Colombia, Israel/Palestine, Afghanistan, and Sudan, offering a truly global perspective. Through panels, roundtable discussions, and creative workshops, participants challenged traditional notions of peace, exploring deeper and more nuanced understandings of conflict and reconciliation.
IIHS contributed to this dialogue by organizing a side event, “Grassroots Leadership and the Global Peace Agenda,” moderated by our own Shon Abegaz. This session demonstrated the transformative potential of grassroots actors when included in decision-making processes.
The panel highlighted the work of women leaders—Dr. Aurora Martin, Kristin Weis, and Dr. Noemi Mena Montes – who are driving impactful change in areas such as human trafficking, climate resilience and refugee integration. These inspiring leaders showcased how individuals and small organizations, even with limited resources, are tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges head-on.
Participants engaged in meaningful discussions, learning how grassroots efforts drive real change and provide innovative solutions that enhance global peacebuilding efforts. The session underscored the critical role of diverse voices in shaping peace and security and encouraged attendees to reflect on how they can support and amplify such initiatives.
The Basel Peace Forum concluded with a collective sense of purpose. Attendees left inspired by the exchange of ideas and energized to continue pushing for inclusive and transformative approaches to peace. As the forum’s final remarks emphasized, breaking away from stereotypes and reimagining peace requires collaboration across all sectors and communities.
For IIHS, this year’s forum reaffirmed our commitment to supporting grassroots leaders and creating pathways for their inclusion in global decision-making. We look forward to continuing the conversations sparked at the forum and to strengthening the partnerships forged during this incredible gathering.
We extend our gratitude to the Basel Peace Forum for hosting such a dynamic and thought-provoking event. See you in 2026!
