On May 27, 2026, the Hub Social Barcelona hosted the event “No War, No Tyrants”, which served as the public presentation of the BCN4Peace initiative. The event, attended by 150 people, marked the beginning of a new strategic alliance among the ICIP, the Centre Delàs for Peace Studies, and NOVACT, with the support of the Barcelona City Council.
The main goal of BCN4Peace is to position Barcelona as an international reference point for the culture of peace, nonviolence and disarmament. In a European context increasingly shaped by militarization and cuts to development cooperation, the initiative seeks to reinforce the city’s long-standing commitment to peace and human rights.
Voices Against Tyranny
The event featured two internationally renowned speakers. On the one hand, john a. powell, professor at the University of California, Berkeley, and a leading voice connected to the Black Lives Matter movement, analyzed how today’s “tyrants” use fear and polarization to erode democracy. Powell stressed that the best response to authoritarianism is not only resistance, but also the creation of a narrative of belonging that includes everyone.
On the other hand, Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini, a globally recognized expert on the Women, Peace and Security agenda and founder of the ICAN network, offered first-hand testimony on the human cost of war and repression. Naraghi-Anderlini defended the power of civil society and Iranian women, who use nonviolent tactics against authoritarian regimes, and warned that sanctions and violence often end up strengthening the most extremist sectors in power.
The event was moderated by journalist Rita Marzoa.
City Diplomacy at the Center
The event also highlighted the importance of city diplomacy as a tool to ensure the continuity of peace policies beyond changes in national governments. Barcelona’s Deputy Mayor Maria Eugènia Gay closed the discussion by affirming that the city must continue “raising its voice” and leading movements that place human rights back at the center of all political, economic and social action.
With this public launch, BCN4Peace begins its journey as an open platform to articulate peacebuilding efforts in the Catalan capital. ICIP is one of the main driving forces behind the initiative, together with Centre Delàs and NOVACT, aiming to turn this project into a long-term commitment.
