Report by Ms. Loréna Schlicht, AFCDRP–Mayors for Peace France
AFCDRP–Mayors for Peace France, represented by Guillaume du Souich, City Councillor of the City of Villejuif in charge of the Associative Movement, International Solidarity, Culture of Peace, attended the 5th Normandy World Peace Forum at the Abbaye aux Dames in Caen on September 23 and 24. The Normandy World Peace Forum is organized by the Normandy Region, member of AFCDRP–Mayors for Peace France. The theme of this year’s Forum was: “Down with the walls! These confinements that make wars”.
Guillaume du Souich took part in the session on Friday, September 23 from 3:45 to 4:30 pm on the theme of “Ukraine: the impetus of solidarity from French local authorities.” Moderated by François-Xavier Priollaud, Vice-President of the Normandy Region at the Normandy Peace Platform, this session aimed at highlighting the actions taken by local authorities and their commitments to support the Ukrainian people in the context of the war in Ukraine. The session was also attended by Jean-Paul Guihaumé, delegate for the external action of local authorities at the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, and Ambassador Vadym Omelchenko of Ukraine to France.
Guillaume Du Souich delivered a message from Mayors for Peace, in which he recalled the importance of city diplomacy and city networks in carrying out advocacy actions for peace and disarmament. He further emphasized the importance of culture of peace and the Sustainable Development Goals to rebuild the cities and promote international cooperation. The importance of peace education was also highlighted to promote a worldwide citizenship for young people and citizens in order to face the challenges of insecurity.
Photos: courtesy of the Mayors for Peace France–AFCDRP
The program of the 5th Normandy World Peace Forum:
https://www.laregionnormandie.fr/forum-mondial-normandie-pour-la-paix
Live broadcast of the Forum:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aV6jxn5LtoU