Augsburg, Germany — Universität der Bundeswehr München (UniBwM), FrontAg Nexus project Coordinator, participated in the German Prevention Congress, held under the anniversary theme “Prevention and Social Peace.”

The congress brought together representatives from different sectors to exchange knowledge, experiences and approaches to strengthening prevention and social cohesion. Organised in cooperation with its permanent event partners (DFK, ProPK and WEISSER RING), the event provided a platform for interdisciplinary discussions on social justice, participation, conflict prevention and peaceful coexistence.

Key Pillars of Prevention and Social Peace

• Constructive Conflict Management: Peace research views peace not as a utopiabut as a social process where dealing with conflicts is central. The primary goal of preventive measures should be to create the basic conditions for successful conflict resolution. Mediation methods and principles should be strengthened at all levels, including public administration, promoting the view that conflicts offer opportunities for constructive change.

• Opportunities for Participation: Integration and participation are key concepts for peaceful conflict resolution and social cohesion. Local authorities play a crucial role in offering young people serious opportunities to participate in shaping public spaces and social decisions, strengthening acceptance of shared norms.

• Civil Society Alliances: Associations of civil society organisations—such as trade unions, churches, academia, and local initiatives—drive social justice, diversity of opinion, and democratic debate. Local cooperation between politicians and committed citizens is particularly vital for social integration in the context of refugees and migration.

• Fact-based Public Discourse: Prevention is far more sustainable than late intervention when addressing the spread of disinformation, conspiracy myths, and hate speech. These phenomena accelerate radicalisation and fuel social division, requiring proactive educational and preventive measures.

• Balanced Crime Reporting: Media consumption heavily influences public perceptions of crime and security. Grossly distorted or unbalanced reporting fuels fear, mistrust, and stereotypes against young people and migrants. Responsible, objective, and differentiated journalistic reporting is essential for supporting social peace.

• Prevention of Hate Crime: Prejudice-motivated crimes and online hate speech directed at identity-defining characteristics are on the rise and threaten social peace by inciting further violence and fear.

• Discrimination-sensitive Law Enforcement: Police, public prosecutors, and the judiciary must actively counteract structural discrimination and social inequality in the justice system. Equal treatment, intercultural competence, and the protection of marginalised groups are essential to maintaining public trust in the rule of law.

In the context of social peace, the prevention landscape requires conscious sensitisation, active civil society involvement, sustainable financial support, and structural legislative adjustments beyond mere symbolic politics.

For more information on the accompanying publication and details of the 30th German Prevention Congress, please visit www.praeventionstag.de.

About FrontAg Nexus

FrontAg Nexus is a PRIMA-supported project working to address climate change, natural resource scarcity and food-security challenges in the Mediterranean through climate-smart and water-saving agricultural solutions. The project combines technological innovation with socio-economic research and policy development, promoting a more integrated approach to water, energy, food and ecosystem management.

Learn more at frontagnexus.eu.