Research events
Gender, memory and sources
from April 3, 2025 to April 4, 2025
Research events
Published on February 11, 2025– Updated on February 13, 2025
1945-2025 - 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the return of peace
Location: Maison de la Recherche Annie Ernaux, Cergy Pontoise
International meeting coordinated by Stephan Martens from AGORA research center.
Russia's « war of aggression » in the Ukraine since February 2022 has revived fears of a Third World War – and in many respects, we are witnessing a « repeat of history ». The question is : what kind of peace can we celebrate in Europe today, and to what extent, and in what ways can it be maintained in the future ? The symposium, which will bring bringing together some fifteen academics, researchers and diplomats, will be held to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, and is divided into several thematic sections. After an inaugural conference focusing on historical round-trips from 1945 to the present day and a prospective analysis of the state of the world, the speakers will concentrate their reflections first on the question of remembrance in Europe – the continent of memory –, United States of America and Japan, then on that of reconciliation and resilience, following the example of Franco-German reconciliation for the benefit of European construction, while also examining the question of the European unification as a response to war, and that of conflict resolution mechanisms. Finally, the speakers will address the issue of (the illusion of) (universal) peace, using the example of the Cold War (1945-1989) and the tragedies and genocides that took place in the aftermath of the Second World War – in Cambodia, the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda – in spite of the prevalence of the Shoah. They will then reflect on the return of power to international relations, particularly in the light of the war in Ukraine. The symposium will conclude with a round-table discussion featuring the testimonies of men and women who fought « anonymously » for freedom during the Second World War.
Russia's « war of aggression » in the Ukraine since February 2022 has revived fears of a Third World War – and in many respects, we are witnessing a « repeat of history ». The question is : what kind of peace can we celebrate in Europe today, and to what extent, and in what ways can it be maintained in the future ? The symposium, which will bring bringing together some fifteen academics, researchers and diplomats, will be held to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, and is divided into several thematic sections. After an inaugural conference focusing on historical round-trips from 1945 to the present day and a prospective analysis of the state of the world, the speakers will concentrate their reflections first on the question of remembrance in Europe – the continent of memory –, United States of America and Japan, then on that of reconciliation and resilience, following the example of Franco-German reconciliation for the benefit of European construction, while also examining the question of the European unification as a response to war, and that of conflict resolution mechanisms. Finally, the speakers will address the issue of (the illusion of) (universal) peace, using the example of the Cold War (1945-1989) and the tragedies and genocides that took place in the aftermath of the Second World War – in Cambodia, the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda – in spite of the prevalence of the Shoah. They will then reflect on the return of power to international relations, particularly in the light of the war in Ukraine. The symposium will conclude with a round-table discussion featuring the testimonies of men and women who fought « anonymously » for freedom during the Second World War.
