The last Basel Peace Forum took place on January 9-10, 2020 in Basel, Switzerland. This year's edition dealt with the topic of cities in time of conflict and peace. Cities are already home to half of the world's population and are expected to absorb almost the entire new population growth of the next years. Further, they provide opportunities such as access to a developed infrastructure, employment opportunities and inhibit a higher degree of social mobility compared to rural areas. However, cities are also becoming an increasingly risky place to live in, where neighbors turn into enemies, streets into frontiers, buildings into targets.

The Basel Peace Forum opened with introductory keynotes on "Cities of Peace?" on Thursday evening, January 9, followed by a flying dinner on the premises of the Kunstmuseum Basel.

On Friday, January 10, participants had the opportunity to attend workshops moderated by proven experts on different topics.

Participants also had access to various pavilions set up to present and discuss a rich array of activities related to peace promotion in cities.

Photos by Joel Plattner

As an enrolled participant, you may log in to your account here.

The Basel Peace Forum opened with introductory keynotes on "Cities of Peace?" on Thursday evening, January 9, followed by a flying dinner on the premises of the Kunstmuseum Basel.

On Friday, January 10, participants had the opportunity to attend workshops moderated by proven experts on different topics.

They also had access to various pavilions set up to present and discuss a rich array of activities related to peace promotion in cities.

Discussions among experts on health, migration and peace have stressed the need for differentiated and constructive narratives on migrants’ health. The innovation forum will thus explore the potential of a salutogenic perspective on migration, highlighting factors of resilience, such as the agency and the capacities among migrant communities to keep people healthy and deal with health risks and challenges based on existing knowledge and resources. We will further discuss how peacebuilding tools such as conflict sensitivity, the psychosocial approach or community dialogue contribute to strengthening these capacities, and vice-versa, how health might work as a connector in order to foster social cohesion and peace.

Please find below our hotel recommendations close to Congress Center.
For further accommodation options, please contact the Basel tourism office: www.basel.com

Travel to Basel

From EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg, bus line number 50 will take you to the main station (Basel SBB) in 25 minutes. From Zurich Airport, there are regular train connections to Basel (Basel SBB) taking 1 hour and 10 minutes. For detailed information and railway timetables check SBB.ch.

Public Transport in Basel

Your hotel may offer a city ticket that you can use for trams and buses. If it does not, you can buy a ticket at any station or online. You can expect public transport to be on time in Basel. The station at Kunstmuseum Basel is called “Kunstmuseum”. The station at the Congress Center is called “Messeplatz”. For detailed information, online ticket purchases or timetables on trams and buses: SBB.ch.

Taxis in Basel

If you want to take a taxi, you can call "33er”, which is the biggest taxi company in Basel: +41 61 333 33 33. UBER is also available in Basel.

Visa

If you need a visa to enter Switzerland, please contact Omar Ahmed info@basel-peace.org as soon as possible. He will provide you with an invitation letter that can be presented to a Swiss embassy or consulate abroad.

Insurance

If you do not have international travel insurance, please inform Omar Ahmed info@basel-peace.org as soon as possible.

Weather

For information on the weather in Switzerland, we advise you to check www.meteoswiss.admin.ch. In general you can expect cold weather in January and even snow.

Currency

The currency in Switzerland is Swiss Francs. You can withdraw Swiss Francs at ATMS at the airports in Basel or Zurich, at railway stations or in the city of Basel. You will also find counters to change your currency at the airport as well as at the railway station. Credit and debit cards are accepted at most places. Some places accept Euros (only bills).

Electricity outlets

Switzerland has its own standard of electrical plugs, but they are compatible with two-pin Europlugs. However, they are not compatible with the round "schuko" type.