Report by Ms. Lorena Schlicht, Mayors for Peace France (AFCDRP)
On December 17th, Mayors for Peace and the Training Center CIDEFE organized a training session titled “Human Security, Memory, Commemoration, and Peace: What Concrete Actions Can Local Authorities Take?” The event brought together 15 elected officials from member local authorities and beyond, offering a platform to explore key concepts such as human security and city diplomacy while showcasing practical peace initiatives at the local level.
Bertrand Badie, a distinguished political scientist and professor emeritus renowned for his work on international relations, presented the concept of human security. He highlighted its historical and conceptual ambiguities, particularly regarding the evolving role of war in the international political system. Emphasizing the interconnectedness of various insecurities—food, health, environmental, and more—he advocated for a comprehensive approach in which local authorities and civil society serve as essential drivers of change.
Lorenzo Kihlgren Grandi, Director of the City Diplomacy Lab at Sciences Po Paris, introduced city diplomacy as a dynamic alternative to traditional state diplomacy. Rooted in global mayoral exchanges since 1955, this concept underscores the capacity of local governments to promote peace and international solidarity due to their proximity to citizens. He also addressed the unique challenges and opportunities that this innovative model presents.
Michel Soriano, a former mayor of Lasseran (a member city of Mayors for Peace) and the son of Spanish Republican refugees, shared his experience in a rural setting. His initiatives, such as inclusive November 11 commemorations and educational workshops on peace, transformed his community into a space of collective reflection and engagement.
This session highlighted the critical role of local actions in building a safer and more inclusive world, reinforcing the idea that peace and human security require coordinated efforts from civil society, local authorities, and international networks.
Photo: courtesy of Mayors for Peace France