Renovabis holds 30th International Congress in Freising

The Renovabis organization held its 30th International Congress in Freising, bringing together over 200 participants from 26 to 27 countries. The event, themed ‘Beyond Polarization – Perspectives on Social Cohesion in the East and West,’ focused on addressing growing social divisions, nationalism, and the erosion of trust in institutions.

Participants, including representatives from various churches and organizations across Europe, discussed how dialogue and synodality can serve as antidotes to polarization. Discussions highlighted the impact of digital echo chambers, wars, and various crises on social cohesion. The congress emphasized that social cohesion must be actively built through solidarity and the recognition of human differences as a source of enrichment rather than a threat.

A significant highlight of the jubilee congress was the inauguration of the Freising Dialogue Award, intended to honor initiatives that bridge generational, cultural, and national divides to promote peace.