Patron DR. GUIDO WESTERWELLE

Foreign Minister Dr. Guido Westerwelle on EUROPEANS FOR PEACE

Statement from the German Foreign Minister Dr. Guido Westerwelle for EUROPEANS FOR PEACE

Over the last five years, the EUROPEANS FOR PEACE programme has been bringing young people from Germany, Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe and Israel together to work on international human rights projects. In over 330 projects launched in recent years, the young people have shown a desire to learn, carried out meticulous research and demonstrated enormous commitment. EUROPEANS FOR PEACE is helping shape the future and at the same time strengthening the historical awareness and the sense for civic responsibility of the participants.

The protection of human rights is a central issue in German foreign policy. But we need more than government talks if we are to achieve sustainable success. We need the active commitment of citizens. The protection of human rights concerns us all. EUROPEANS FOR PEACE supports exchanges between young people of different nationalities and helps build international networks. When we learn about history, we are encouraged to reflect, think anew, and come up with new ideas that enrich the current debate and help us overcome present challenges.

I would like to extend my sincere congratulations the prize-winners this year, and thank the Foundation “Remembrance, Responsibility and Future” for the excellent organisation and implementation of the programme.