HFG Participates in the 2026 Paris Peace Forum November 12, 2026 [Photo Credit: Paris Peace Forum] For the second year, The Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation supported the Paris Peace Forum, which took place from November 11 to 12 in Paris, France, under the theme “From Sovereignty to Cooperation.” The forum brought together 3,500 leaders and experts from governments, international organizations, businesses, civil societies, and academic institutions around the world to discuss preventing and resolving conflicts, defending democracy, and other pressing topics. As part of this forum, the Foundation co-organized the panel “From Diagnosis to Response: Tackling Polarization and the Limits of International Support,” which examined how polarization within democracies can weaken international cooperation, and what can be done about it. “Pillars that we rely on for democratic governance come down to a healthy ability to debate, and have discourse, and agree or choose not to without killing each other” said HFG President Daniel F. Wilhelm, who moderated the discussion. “What can we do to encourage the dialogue that reminds us or reteaches us how to agree, and how to agree to disagree?” He asked the panelists, who had expertise in political violence and peace building in the United States, Middle East, Latin America, and beyond. Panelists: Arancha González Laya, dean of the Paris School of International Affairs, Sciences Po Paris and former minister of foreign affairs of the Kingdom of Spain. Lea Baroudi, general coordinator and cofounder of MARCH Lebanon Mark Freeman, founder and executive director of Institute for Integrated Transitions (IFIT) Estelle Youssouffa, secretary of the committee on foreign affairs, French National Assembly HFG’s support of the Paris Peace Forum is part of its continued commitment to the creation and dissemination of knowledge against violence in the United States and around the world. A full recording of the panel discussion is available to watch here. For more information contact: Halima Gikandi, Senior Communications Manager info@hfg.org | 646.428.0973
