International Congress Renovabis
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The social and ecclesiastical developments in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe over the past three decades - that was the focus of this year's International Congress Renovabis. As Renovabis is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2023, it made sense to focus on the topic of freedom and the hopes and expectations associated with it at the beginning of the 1990s. In doing so, an arc was drawn from the initial spirit of optimism through increasing disillusionment and scepticism towards Western models to the threat to freedom in Europe posed by authoritarian tendencies and the war against Ukraine. The congress took stock of what has been achieved so far. It also looked at the challenges and tasks facing society, politics and churches today and in the coming years, also in view of the changed geopolitical situation in Europe. In addition to presentations and panel discussions, there was a dialogue forum that gave all congress participants the opportunity to actively contribute their ideas, suggestions and questions.
At the start of the congress, on 12 September 2023, the solidarity initiative Renovabis celebrated its 30th anniversary with a vespers service at 5 p.m. in the church of St. Sylvester, followed by a festive event at the Katholische Akademie in Bavaria (both in Munich). Joachim Gauck, former President of the Federal Republic of Germany, gave the keynote speech. Afterwards, the Bavarian state government hosted a state reception.
