Today begins the 13th European Remembrance Symposium & International Conference on the 50th Anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act, taking place in Helsinki, Finland.
Organised by the European Network Remembrance and Solidarity (ENRS) in collaboration with Historians without Borders (Finland), the University of Helsinki, and other international partners, the event reflects on one of the most significant diplomatic milestones of the 20th century - the 1975 Helsinki Final Act.
Signed by 35 countries from both sides of the Iron Curtain, including the USA, Canada, and the Soviet Union, the Act laid the foundation for reducing Cold War tensions and spurred dissident and civic movements across Eastern Europe. The symposium reconsiders this “Spirit of Helsinki” and its legacy in shaping global diplomacy, human rights, and security then and now.
Over four days, the symposium gathers diplomats, scholars, civil society leaders, museum professionals, and students for a rich programme of keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and cultural events. Themes include:
• The evolution of diplomacy and security since 1975
• Human rights and transnational activism during and after the Cold War
• Religion’s role in the Helsinki Process
• The impact of civic courage and historical memory
• Truth and reconciliation as tools for peace
The event opens with a keynote panel, followed by a cocktail reception. In the days that follow, participants will explore relevant topics such as the implications of the Helsinki legacy on current conflicts, including in Ukraine and the Middle East.
There also will be sessions highlight the role of cultural institutions in fostering dialogue, critical thinking, and media literacy. Participants can also take part in walking tours and museum visits, learning about Helsinki’s unique East–West position in European history.
The symposium provides a key platform for exchange, learning, and shaping future collaborations in the field of 20th-century history and memory.