To mark the 50th anniversary of the signing of the CSCE Helsinki Final Act, the Federal Foundation for the Reappraisal of the SED Dictatorship, together with the University of Helsinki, the Leibniz Institute of European History in Mainz and other partners, is organising an international conference dedicated to the CSCE process and its Final Act in Helsinki from 10 to 13 June 2025. It is also the 13th Remembrance Symposium of the European Network Remembrance and Solidarity (ENRS). Under the motto ‘THE SPIRIT OF HELSINKI THEN AND NOW’, the conference and symposium will bring together international contemporary witnesses, leading players from politics, diplomacy and civil society, academics, human rights activists and representatives of religious and church groups at the historic site of the signing. The aim is to shed light on the CSCE process and its impact over the past five decades and to evaluate it in a contemporary context against the backdrop of the Russian war of aggression in Europe and shifting global political coordinates. In addition to academic keynotes and panel discussions, the conference's cultural programme will place a special focus on the influence of art and culture on civil rights and opposition movements in Central and Eastern Europe. On behalf of all co-operation partners, we would like to cordially invite you to participate in the conference and symposium. The discussions will cover the following topics: - The role of diplomacy and the Helsinki Process in shaping a new European peace order after the Second World War - The impact of the Helsinki Group and civil society on the promotion of democracy and human rights from 1975 to the present day - The ongoing challenges to freedom, security and peace in Europe in 2025 The conference is mainly organised, with various local and international partners, by: – University of Helsinki / Finland – Bundesstiftung Aufarbeitung Berlin / Germany – European Network for Rememberance and Solidarity Warsaw / Poland (ENRS) – ReCoNet (Religion and the Cold War Network) – Historians without Borders – Leibniz Institute for European History Mainz / Germany – Aue Foundation Helsinki / Finland The organisers are working with various partners, including the Embassies in Helsinki of the signatory states of the Helsinki Final Act, with high-level politicians, representatives of civil society and religions. The panels are attended by senior diplomats, human rights activists, contemporary witnesses and academics, including a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Registration is only possible via the online form of the European Network Remembrance and Solidarity (ENRS), see link below. In some places you can choose between parallel programme items of the conference and the symposium. Registration is possible until the conference date, but places will be allocated according to the order of online registrations.