‘For a Europe Free of Organised Crime’
15.02.2026
From 13 to 15 February 2026, the Secretaries General of the European Justice and Peace Commissions gathered in Turin (Italy) for their annual encounter, hosted at Sermig – Arsenal of Peace. The meeting was held under the theme “For a Europe Free of Organised Crime”, and it included exchanges with experts on addressing this multi- and transnational challenge.
The meeting opened on Friday evening with a moment of prayer and welcome, followed by an address by Fr. Luigi Ciotti, President of Libera, an association promoting social activities against organised crime. Fr. Ciotti’s testimony offered a powerful reflection on the social, economic and moral implications of organised crime in Europe and encouraged renewed shared commitment of all to civic responsibility, solidarity with victims and the promotion of a ‘culture of integrity’ at the national as well as European level.
On Saturday, participants were introduced to the document “Educating for a Disarmed and Disarming Peace” by Archbishop Luigi Renna, President of the Episcopal Commission for Social Issues, Work, Justice, Peace and Care for Creation at the Italian Bishops’ Conference. The presentation stimulated fruitful discussion on the essential role of education in fostering a culture of peace, justice and active citizenship, especially among younger generations.
During the meeting, the twenty delegates of European Justice & Peace Commissions also heard from Ms. Rosanna Tabasso, President of Sermig, about inspiring initiatives to transform ‘arsenals of war into arsenals of peace’, turning places and instruments of conflict into spaces of solidarity, service and hope.
Throughout several working sessions, Secretaries General addressed a number of strategic matters, including the elaboration of a new four-year work plan, and shared their current priorities and upcoming initiatives aimed at the promotion of human dignity, social justice, peace and integral ecology.
The programme also included a visit to the house of Saint John Bosco and Holy Mass in the Cathedral of Turin, presided by Cardinal Roberto Repole, followed by a visit to the tomb of Saint Pier Giorgio Frassati, recently canonised by Pope Leo XIV.
At the end of the meeting, Archbishop Antoine Hérouard and Mrs. Maria Hammershoy, Co-Presidents of Justice & Peace Europe, thanked the hosting Italian Commission for their hospitality and invited the delegates to the General Assembly of the European network to be held in Glasgow (Scotland) from 18 to 21 September 2026.
In the follow-up to the meeting, Justice & Peace Europe will launch its 2026 Concerted Action on Ash Wednesday (18 February), dedicated to the theme “Europe and organised crime – tackling the challenge together”.
-------------
Contact:
Marek Mišák
General Secretary
Justice & Peace Europe
