Linz, City of Peace

In the beginning there was a unanimous resolution by the City Council: in 1986 the capital of the Federal Province of Upper Austria declared itself “Linz, City of Peace”. The goal: to define and support communal responsibility for measures to promote peace.
“The City Council of the City of Linz recognizes the moral and political obligation to take up the desire for peace and the commitment to peace of the people of this city and to make this a fundamental principle for future communal politics.” (from the Resolution of the City Council on 23 October 1986)

Peace Initiative of the City of Linz

Numerous initiatives, groups and city bodies have actively worked for regional and transregional peace policies for over 20 years in “Linz, City of Peace”. The “Peace Initiative of the City of Linz”, consisting of members of Linz organizations and institutions, has advised the City of Linz and the Mayor of the City of Linz since autumn 1998. Its goal is to promote, in coordination with Linz Culture, the development of peace in and through the city with events and activities relating to diverse issues. Three symposiums with international participation have been held so far by the “Peace Initiative of the City of Linz” in close cooperation with the adult education institution Volkshochschule.

Series of Events on National-Socialism

The confrontation with National-Socialism is a major concern of the “Peace Initiative of the City of Linz”, the Peace Board of Trustees (City Council members and representatives from Linz NGOs), and the Mayor of Linz. The event series “Something is Fermenting” on National-Socialism and right-wing extremism has taken place every year since 2000. In 2006 the Peace Initiative was able to persuade Mayor Dobusch to join the “Mayors for Peace”. This worldwide association is especially active for nuclear disarmament and against nuclear bomb testing.