War and peace is a word pair that appears in the titles of iconic literary works and/or modern discursive reflections, and has undeniably become part of everyday conversation—among individuals from all walks of life—with varying degrees of sensitivity or superficiality. The latter is not merely the fault of the individual, but rather a consequence of the fact that war, in particular, has become a constant presence in media coverage, while reflections on peace are largely relegated to the realm of day-to-day politics or the inspiration of those who shape it.

This makes it all the more urgent to consider how war might be halted—temporarily or permanently—how a just and lasting peace might be achieved, if that is even possible, and to question what peace truly is, especially given that, at this very moment, 110 armed conflicts are ongoing around the world.

A brief look into the history of peace movements may offer a partial answer, or at least point toward the methods and tools that could—however unlikely—lead us closer to peace. On the other hand, examples of good practice in overcoming historical conflicts, such as the crossborder Walk of Peace from the Alps to the Adriatic, illustrate a path toward balancing historical narratives—one based on knowledge, respect, tolerance, and inclusion.