On 18–19 September 2025, Paris hosted the international event “Women, War, Exile, Europe”, organized within the framework of the European project Women Participation Europe for the Future (Women4Future), funded by the European Union’s CERV Programme (Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values).
The event brought together partners from Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Romania and Spain for two days of dialogue, reflection and collaborative work focused on one of the most pressing challenges facing contemporary Europe: the impact of war, forced displacement and exile on women’s lives and on the future of European societies.
The first day took place at the Mairie du 19ème arrondissement, where partner organizations presented their activities, experiences and good practices developed in their respective countries. These presentations offered valuable insights into the diverse realities faced by women across Europe and highlighted initiatives aimed at promoting participation, inclusion and equal opportunities.
A particularly meaningful moment was the presentation of Visages d’en faces by Christine Boulanger, which provided a powerful perspective on the human stories behind displacement, migration and social exclusion.
In the afternoon, participants engaged in group work and collaborative discussions to further explore the themes raised during the morning sessions and begin developing shared proposals. The day concluded at TLM with the screening of the documentary Naître en France by director Jenny Keguiner, followed by a discussion with the filmmaker and a visit to an exhibition addressing questions of identity, belonging and inclusion.
The second day took place at the Cité Audacieuse, a Parisian hub dedicated to women’s empowerment and social innovation. Through participatory workshops, partners worked together to develop key messages and recommendations for policymakers, institutions and stakeholders at local, national and European levels.
The discussions focused on strengthening women’s participation in democratic life, promoting social inclusion and ensuring that women’s voices are heard in debates concerning conflict, migration and the future of Europe. Participants shared experiences, identified common challenges and explored opportunities for greater cooperation across borders.
Beyond the formal sessions, the event also provided valuable opportunities for intercultural exchange and networking, reinforcing the project’s commitment to building a more inclusive, democratic and gender-equal Europe.
The ideas, reflections and proposals developed during the Paris meeting will contribute to the next phases of the Women4Future project and support the development of recommendations aimed at fostering women’s participation and shaping a more resilient and united European future.
The event was organized within the framework of the project “Women Participation Europe for the Future (Women4Future)”, co-funded by the European Union through the CERV Programme.