This event gathered experts, institutional representatives, and social entities to discuss the current situation after four years of conflict and the importance of historical memory. The municipal official emphasized the need to remember the past and warned that «silence also kills», advocating for memory as an essential tool for justice and peace.
“"We are a city that is not oblivious to what happens in the world and that responds with commitment and solidarity."
The conference highlighted the role of municipalities in managing the consequences of conflicts, from welcoming displaced persons to promoting social cohesion. It was stressed that it is at the local level where war ceases to be a distant reality and becomes a concrete responsibility. The role of Spain and the European Union in responding to the Ukrainian crisis was also emphasized, with mechanisms such as temporary protection guaranteeing basic rights to thousands of displaced people.
Specialists in international law and geopolitics, along with representatives of the Ukrainian community in Castellón, shared experiences of reception and integration. Experts such as Fernando Herrera, with a background in humanitarian missions, Diego de Ojeda, an expert in European foreign policy, and Jay Buckley, a war reporter, participated. Representatives from the Ukrainian Association of Castellón, the Vice-Rector for Studies and Permanent Training at Universitat Jaume I, and the Deputy Government Delegate in Castellón also attended.
This initiative is part of Vila-real's commitment to the culture of peace, reinforced by its adherence to the international network Mayors for Peace. The City Council calls on citizens to «generate memory and reflection» with the aim of building a more just and peaceful future.
