Seeds of Peace in Barcelona: Reflections from the URI Europe Assembly 2026

Some gatherings end when people leave the room. Others continue through the relationships they strengthen, the ideas they spark, and the actions they set in motion. The URI Europe Assembly 2026 in Barcelona was one of those gatherings.

Nearly 50 interfaith leaders, peacebuilders, and community practitioners from across Europe came together to deepen trust, share experiences, and strengthen URI’s regional network. In a time shaped by visible conflict and quieter tensions within communities, the Assembly created space for connection, learning, and shared action.

The gathering opened with a visit to AUDIR, a URI Cooperation Circle based in Barcelona, whose work reflects interfaith collaboration in practice. Their welcome set the tone for the days ahead and reminded participants that URI’s strength lies in local communities building dialogue and cooperation every day.

Throughout the Assembly, participants explored the growth and vitality of the network, violence prevention, youth leadership, dialogue tools, and environmental healing. Sessions on a health-based approach to violence prevention created space for difficult but necessary conversations about how communities can respond to division, harm, and exclusion.

At Barcelona City Hall, the public event “Sacred Earth, Shared Humanity: Pathways to Peace in Times of Harm” brought these reflections into a broader civic space. Richard Sánchez Jiménez, Commissioner for Cultural and Religious Diversity of the City of Barcelona, affirmed the importance of this collaboration, saying:

“Thank you for allowing Barcelona to host such a valuable event. You can count on our continued collaboration.”

The Assembly also highlighted the diversity and creativity of the URI Europe network. Participants engaged with initiatives including youth camps, a violence prevention app, the Dialogo game, and holistic approaches to environmentalism and healing. These sessions showed the many ways URI members are translating interfaith values into practical tools for their communities.

One of the most meaningful moments was the certificate handover to young facilitators. Their leadership reflected the future of URI Europe and the importance of investing in the next generation of interfaith peacebuilders.

The final day focused on Earth Restoration, exploring how different traditions, cultures, and communities approach the healing of our planet. Participants also visited the Sagrada Família, a fitting space to reflect on beauty, spirituality, and human creativity.

After the Assembly, members of the URI Europe Board visited the Sukyo Mahikari community in Barcelona, where the encounter ended with the planting of a lemon tree. It was a simple gesture with deep meaning. Trees do not grow overnight. Neither does peace. But both begin when people choose to plant with care and hope.

URI extends deep gratitude to AUDIR, their dedicated team, the City of Barcelona, and the local government for their generous hospitality and support.

The Assembly may be over, but the work continues. The seeds have been planted.