Can Law Alone Create Peace? Reflections from the HWPL International Conference in Zagreb
Hello 😊
These
days, it seems that every time we turn on the news, we are met with reports of
conflicts and tensions from around the world, often leaving us with a heavy
heart.
Is a truly peaceful world possible?
It's a question many of us have probably asked ourselves at some point.
Recently, I came across news of a meaningful international peace conference held in Croatia, a country that has directly experienced the pain of war.
It was
the HWPL International Peace Conference held in Zagreb on February 26.
At first,
I assumed it was simply another conference report, but as I read further, I
found the discussions to be much more practical and thought-provoking than I
had expected.
🗺 Why Was Zagreb, Croatia Chosen as
the Venue for the International Peace Conference?
One of the first things that stood out to me about this conference was where it was held.
Croatia is a country that experienced the scars of the Balkan Wars in the 1990s firsthand.
Holding a discussion on international peace in a place where the memories of war are still deeply felt seemed highly symbolic.
The
conference was moderated by former Croatian President Ivo Josipović.
In his opening remarks, he said:
"We know the value of peace because we have experienced it
firsthand in this region."
It was a
short statement, but one that carried a great deal of weight.
⚖
International
Law Was the Central Theme of the Zagreb Peace Conference
One of
the most frequently discussed topics at the conference was the effectiveness of
international law.
When we
watch reports about conflicts around the world, we sometimes find ourselves
wondering:
Are international rules and norms really working as they are supposed
to?
Professor
Enver Hasani of the University of Pristina also pointed to gaps in
international law as one of the factors contributing to conflicts around the
world.
He emphasized that declarations alone are not enough and that stronger legal mechanisms are needed to prevent wars and mediate conflicts effectively.
One
initiative mentioned during the discussion was HWPL’s DPCW (Declaration of
Peace and Cessation of War).
Although it may sound technical, its basic aim is to establish international standards that can institutionally support war prevention and peacebuilding.
Personally, it struck me as a very practical approach.
Rather
than simply repeating idealistic ideas, the discussion focused on how real
systems could be built and implemented.
🕊 But Can Law Alone Bring About
True Peace?
What I found interesting was that the conference went beyond discussions of laws alone.
As the
discussions progressed, there was an increasing focus on people.
🤝 The Power of Connecting Religions
and Cultures
Researcher Ankica Marinović emphasized that a powerful force for peace emerges when different religions and cultures connect through tolerance and dialogue.
When we think about it, many conflicts around the world begin with a lack of mutual understanding.
Perhaps
that's why her message felt so relevant.
💔 Even After War Ends, Rebuilding
Trust Takes Time
Another speaker who left a strong impression on me was activist Lejla Nuhanović, who spoke about the case of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
She explained that although the war ended after the Dayton Peace Agreement, rebuilding trust among communities and creating an inclusive social system remains an ongoing process.
This was
the moment that made me pause and reflect.
It reminded me that war does not truly end just because the gunfire stops.
It made
me think that genuine peace requires not only institutions but also trust built
among people.
👥 Young Voices at the Zagreb
International Peace Conference
One particularly encouraging aspect of the conference was the active participation of young people.
Young
participants, including students from Libertas International University, were
not merely attendees but actively asked questions and joined discussions.
Personally, this was one of the moments that felt especially important.
After all, meaningful change is more likely to last when future generations see peace as an issue that concerns them personally.
It also
made me think that peace becomes far more realistic when future generations
take part in the conversation, rather than leaving it solely to experts.
🌍 Sustainable Peace: What Matters
Most?
This conference reminded me of one important thing:
Peace is not simply a matter of high-level diplomacy.
International law is necessary, institutions matter, and cooperation between nations is certainly essential.
Yet at
the foundation of all these efforts must be citizens who seek to understand one
another and work to rebuild trust.
Perhaps that is also the most difficult challenge.
Even so, the effort to discuss world peace in a region that has experienced the pain of war felt like a small but meaningful source of hope.
Even if
we do not yet have all the answers, someone has to keep asking questions and
continuing the conversation 😊
What do you think?
In your view, what is the most important step toward building sustainable peace?
✔️ Stronger international law?
✔️ A change in public awareness?
✔️ Rebuilding trust among people?
Feel free
to share your thoughts in the comments 😊
That's it for today!
I'll be
back with more interesting global issues and thought-provoking discussions next
time!
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