GENEVA, Switzerland — The Palais des Nations hosted the international conference “Human Rights and Peace – Better Together”, promoted by Organizzazione per i Diritti Umani e la Tolleranza, an NGO with consultative status at ECOSOC since 2017.
The event brought together experts, academics, institutional representatives, educators and civil-society organizations from Europe and other regions to underline the indivisible link between human-rights protection and lasting peace. Speakers stressed that youth and peace initiatives peace is not only the absence of conflict but also the presence of justice, equality, inclusion and mutual respect.
The morning session, opened by Fiorella Cerchiara, President of Organizzazione per i Diritti Umani e la Tolleranza, focused on human-rights education in schools, universities and non-formal learning. Contributors showed how clear teaching of the 30 articles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights helps young people identify discrimination, support those whose rights are at risk and participate more actively in democratic life.
A central moment of the conference was the panel “Thinking Freely: Perspectives, Challenges and Safeguards”, featuring Prof. Cristiana Cianitto (University of Milan, ATLAS Project), Dott. Perparim Uxhi (Fondazione Fscire, ATLAS Project) and Dr. Amjad Saleem (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies). The discussion, moderated by Ivan Arjona – President of the Fundación para la Mejora de la Vida, la Cultura y la Sociedad, President of the European Office of the Church of Scientology for Public Affairs & Human Rights, and President of the UN Geneva NGO Committee on Freedom of Religion or Belief – examined current pressures on freedom of thought, conscience and belief and the need for effective safeguards.
In the afternoon, the panel “Bridges of Cooperation” showcased testimonies from cultural mediators, community leaders and NGOs, illustrating how local projects on dialogue, youth engagement and inclusion can reinforce social resilience. Participants agreed that coordinated work between institutions, educators and community actors is essential to make human-rights standards a reality in daily life and to strengthen Europe’s broader human-rights architecture.
Reflecting on the outcomes, Ivan Arjona noted that when public bodies, civil society and belief and non-belief communities cooperate, they give concrete expression to shared principles such as human dignity, freedom of conscience and equality before the law. The conference was also highlighted in a related report on Scientology Europe, placing the Geneva discussions within wider efforts to promote human-rights education and peaceful coexistence.