On the occasion of the International Day of Living Together in Peace, established by the United Nations in 2017 at Algeria’s initiative, and observed every May 16, the pressing civilizational question arises about the very meaning of peace in a world where conflicts are escalating and the limits of coexistence are being severely tested. In this context, the journalist interviewed Professor Sheikh Bouchikhi, a specialist in political thought and intercultural dialogue, to explore the significance of this day and the dimensions of Algeria’s role in shaping a new peace narrative.
Journalist: Professor Bouchikhi, you have a special history with peace issues, especially through your participation in an international conference organized by Algeria at the dawn of the millennium. How do you reflect on that moment today
Professor Sheikh Bouchikhi: At the beginning of the new millennium, specifically in July 2002, I was among the participants in the World Conference on Peace and Solidarity held in Algiers at the Palace of Nations. It was an exceptional international event with about a thousand delegates, including 125 prominent figures from 80 countries across five continents.
The conference brought together a wide range of actors: religious leaders and thinkers from all faiths, political figures, peace activists, including Grand Imam Mohamed Sayed Tantawi, the Dean of the Church of the Nativity, former heads of state and government such as former Jordanian Prime Minister Abdel Karim Kabariti, former Ghanaian President Jerry Rawlings, as well as Nobel Peace Prize laureate Rigoberta Menchú.
The meeting served as a platform for workshops and deep discussions on issues of peace, dialogue among civilizations, the rule of law, economic systems, social justice, and other major challenges facing humanity. For me, this event represented a moment of profound reflection on Algeria’s vision of peace, which goes beyond rhetoric and is rooted in a living historical experience of resisting colonialism and defending dignity without engaging in domination.
Journalist: What does the “International Day of Living Together in Peace” represent in the philosophical and ethical context of international relations
Professor Sheikh Bouchikhi: It is a symbolic culmination of a long human quest for coexistence models that transcend identity and cultural conflicts. In this context, peace is not merely a political goal but a deep human value reflecting a historical awareness to reject violence and uphold pluralism and mutual respect. It is also an ethical response to the failure of traditional international systems to produce fixed standards of global justice and an attempt to rebuild relationships among diverse peoples on the basis of mutual dignity, rather than domination or exclusion.
Journalist: What motivated Algeria to propose this day to the United Nations
Professor Sheikh Bouchikhi: Historically, Algeria is not just a nation-state with borders but a custodian of symbolic heritage in resisting injustice and striving for peace. Anyone who approaches its history from the anthropology of resistance understands that it was never an aggressor state but rather a resilient entity that maintained cohesion against projects of domination. It suffices to recall that the November 1 Declaration, though a foundational document of an armed liberation war, included an explicit call for negotiation and political solution. This duality—waging war while seeking peace—reflects a rare political and ethical maturity.
Journalist: Given this historical heritage, can we say that Algeria offers a unique model in its understanding of peace
Professor Sheikh Bouchikhi: Certainly. Algeria does not present peace as a utilitarian condition but as a fundamental principle deeply rooted in its historical experience. It was never the aggressor, often positioned as a defender. Its post-independence political conduct was characterized by calls for conflict resolution through dialogue and the embrace of liberation movements within a global vision of justice. This was manifested in its prominent role within the Non-Aligned Movement and its support for revolutionary leaders and liberation movements from Asia, Africa, and Latin America, earning it the global nickname “The Mecca of Revolutionaries.” Therefore, its initiative to establish a global day for living together is not a mere diplomatic luxury but a continuation of a well-established civilizational understanding.
“Algeria does not present peace as a utilitarian condition, but as a fundamental principle rooted in its experience of anti-colonial resistance.”
Journalist: But today, we live in a fractured world marked by wars and conflicts. Is the discourse on coexistence still relevant
Professor Sheikh Bouchikhi: No realistic analysis can ignore the systemic crises of the international system. However, we must not overlook the existence of wills and spaces that seek to promote an alternative discourse. Peace is not just the absence of conflict; it is a prerequisite for building meaning in international relations. Although institutions like the United Nations suffer from structural flaws, they remain essentially the outcome of rational efforts to transcend a logic of perpetual war.
Journalist: Finally, what message do you believe should be emphasized on this day
Professor Sheikh Bouchikhi: We must restore the concept of peace as a foundational value, not a circumstantial choice. Peace does not mean negligence or escape; rather, it is the fruit of deep political and historical consciousness. There is no contradiction between advocating peace and preparing to defend it. As the Qur’an states: “And prepare against them whatever you are able of power…” The power that protects peace guarantees its continuity. What is needed today is to build a new human narrative that believes coexistence is not an exception but the norm.
