This year, the Festival of Ideas 2025 envisions to be a pivotal platform promoting a multidisciplinary space for reflection, dialogue, and co-creation of innovative and creative ideas revolving around the theme of peace. Recognising the interwoven relationship between culture, dialogue, and peace, Reimagining Tomorrow: Possibilities for Peace aims to re-centre our collective efforts towards the promotion of diplomatic relations, inclusive communities, and peaceful co-existence with our environment.
The unprecedented flare-up of armed conflict, violence, and the death of innocent civilians, and the rapture of whole generations and families robbed of their most precious asset, the right to life, is a reality governments across the world cannot keep on ignoring. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the genocide of the Palestinian People under decades of Israeli occupation, and the increase in armed conflict by military groups in Africa are just a few examples.
These are loud alarm bells calling us to rekindle our language, policies, and resources towards the realisation of human rights, restorative justice, reconciliation, and peacebuilding. Furthermore, the missed targets of the UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030, and the rise in political nepotism surrounding climate change action and man-made pollution, have contributed to negatively impact humanity’s transition towards just and peaceful environments.
The year 2025 provides an opportunity to reflect, discuss, and renew collective efforts towards non-violent solutions and the development of a more just and peaceful future.
The Festival of Ideas will feature five thematic forums over one week. Distinguished speakers will address diplomacy, international human rights, artistic expression, environmental heritage, and community activism. A full list of forums can be viewed here: https://festivalofideas.mt/forums/
A full list of speakers can be viewed here: https://festivalofideas.mt/speakers/
The Festival will be collaborating with Argotti Botanical Gardens and the Crop Trust, a non-profit international organization dedicated to conserving crop diversity and making it available for use globally, forever, for the benefit of everyone. More details about the event and lecture by Prof. Schmitz may be viewed here: https://fb.me/e/5bWwOZGKw
This year’s Lectio Magistralis will be delivered by Prof. Todor Todorov, Bulgarian philosopher and fiction writer. More details can be accessed here: https://festivalofideas.mt/lectio-magistralis/
