What Does Peace Mean to Young People Today?

When we ask young people about peace, we often expect simple answers. But throughout the MyPeace workshops across Europe, we discovered something else: Peace is deeply personal. And at the same time, profoundly shared.

Listening First

During the MyPeace project, young people from Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ukraine, Ireland, Denmark and France came together. In music sessions, workshops and conversations, we asked one central question: What does peace mean to you? The answers were never abstract. They came from real experiences, real emotions and real life situations.

Voices from the Workshops

Some participants described peace as something internal: “For me, peace is when I can be calm and just be with myself.” Others saw it in relationships: “Peace is when there is no conflict in my family or with my friends.” And for some, peace had a much deeper meaning: “Peace means having a place where I feel safe.” Especially participants with experiences of displacement reminded us: Peace is not something to take for granted.

Different Countries – Different Perspectives

Even though everyone talked about “peace”, they often meant very different things:

• inner balance and mental wellbeing
• connection and belonging
• safety and stability

These differences were not a barrier. They became a starting point for understanding.

Why Music Makes a Difference

Talking about peace is one thing. Experiencing it is another. This is where music – and shared experiences – played a key role. In songwriting sessions, improvisations, percussion workshops and group performances, participants expressed ideas that were difficult to put into words. Beyond music, other experiences deepened the learning:

• group discussions created space for reflection
• museum visits in Bordeaux, especially on the history of slavery, opened perspectives on injustice and responsibility
• concert visits allowed participants to experience music as a shared emotional space

Together, these elements made peace tangible. Music created a space where:

• emotions could be shared without explanation
• different perspectives could exist side by side
• listening became more important than speaking

And something became clear: Even when definitions of peace differ, the feeling of connection is universal.

From Reflection to Learning

Peace education is not about giving answers. It is about creating spaces for experience. Through music, young people learn to:

• reflect on their own experiences
• understand different perspectives
• express themselves creatively
• engage with others respectfully

They don’t just learn about peace. They practice it.

A Question That Continues

There is no single definition of peace. But there is a shared ability to create it.

👉 What does peace mean to you?