How can bees promote peace in these turbulent times? The main aim of the event is to reflect upon how can bees contribute to conflict resolution, food security, empowerment of vulnerable groups and to diplomacy?  As the exhibition "Buzzing Slovenia: Of Bees and People" comes to an end, the Museum of European Cultures, together with the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Berlin and the Slovenian Cultural Centre SKICA Berlin, is organising an inspiring mini-symposium entitled "Bees for Peace", emphasising the political dimension of pollinators: since 2018, 20 May has been World Bee Day on the initiative of Slovenia and in 2022 the Slovenian beekeeping heritage was added to the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. Slovenia's commitment to using bee diplomacy as a foreign policy strategy is particularly noteworthy. Within the framework of bee diplomacy, Slovenia is actively committed to the inclusion of pollinators in international environmental policy and global food security issues.

At the "Bees for Peace" symposium, international experts, enthusiasts and activists from various fields will share their insights into the interconnectedness of bees and human society. The aim of the event is to raise awareness of the contribution of bees and other pollinators to ecological and social resilience, highlight innovative pollinator projects and promote the exchange of best practices to support local communities around the globe. The event will also display the activities of the ITF Enhancing Human Security organisation in the area of honey production by mine victims.

Among others, we welcome:

• Tomaž Lovrenčič, Direktor ITF Enhancing Human Security, Slowenien
• Gasto Ndwata, Kultur- und Politikattaché Botschaft der Vereinigten Republik Tansania
• Martin Frick, Direktor des World Food Programme (WFP) für Deutschland, Österreich und Liechtenstein
• Gorazd Trušnovec, Präsident der Urban Beekeping Society, Slowenien
• Kristina Seljak, Kuratorin am Beekeeping Museum Radovljica, Slowenien
• Susan Karlebowski, wissenschaftliche Mitarbeiterin am Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin
• Heinz Risse, Mellifera Berlin e.V.
• Bärbel Rothhaar, freischaffende Künstlerin, Berlin

Free admission, no registration required.

This event will be held in English spoken language. The venue has limited barrier-free access. Detailed information can be found under "Plan your visit/Address". If you have any questions, please contact us at mek@smb.spk-berlin.de.