The visit of Vicente Arques, Mayor of l’Alfàs del Pi, to the participants of the REACT course just a few days before the closing ceremony once again highlighted the municipality’s strong commitment to international cooperation, human rights, and the training of professionals working in some of the world’s most challenging environments.
During the visit, the Mayor had the opportunity to meet the international participants, learn first-hand about their experiences, and reaffirm the municipality’s support for initiatives that promote peace, solidarity, and cooperation among peoples.
The visit symbolizes a partnership that Helsinki España and the Municipality of l’Alfàs del Pi have strengthened over the years and continue to develop with a shared vision: positioning the municipality as an international hub for specialized humanitarian training and international missions.
Thirty Editions Preparing Professionals for Peace
This year’s edition marks an important milestone for the International University Centre of Peace Missions (IUCPM), as it celebrates the 30th edition of the REACT course (Rapid Expert Assistance and Cooperation Teams for Conflict Prevention, Crisis Management and Post-Conflict Rehabilitation), Helsinki España’s flagship programme dedicated to preparing professionals for work in conflict prevention, crisis management, and post-conflict recovery.
Over the course of several weeks, l’Alfàs del Pi has become a truly international campus, welcoming participants from 10 different nationalities with a wide range of professional backgrounds. The course brings together both civilian and military professionals, fostering a unique exchange of knowledge that represents one of REACT’s greatest strengths. This interaction enables participants to better understand each other’s roles, capabilities, and operational approaches while reinforcing civil-military coordination, an essential component of effective humanitarian response, peace support operations, and post-conflict stabilization.
The diversity of the group is also reflected in their academic and professional backgrounds. Lawyers, political scientists, international relations specialists, social workers, engineers, humanitarian practitioners, members of the armed forces, public administration professionals, and representatives of international organizations work side by side, sharing experiences and methodologies in an interdisciplinary learning environment that enriches everyone’s training.
The REACT experience extends well beyond the classroom. During their stay, participants have had the opportunity to discover the natural and cultural heritage of l’Alfàs del Pi and its surroundings, enjoying the municipality’s beaches, the scenic trail leading to the Albir Lighthouse, and other attractions across the Marina Baixa region. These activities encourage interaction among participants from different cultures and countries, helping to build an international network of professionals committed to peace and humanitarian action. In a programme where intercultural cooperation is one of its fundamental pillars, the experiences shared outside the classroom are just as valuable as the academic training itself.
A Partnership That Continues to Grow
The collaboration between Helsinki España and the Municipality of l’Alfàs del Pi has fostered a growing ecosystem of training initiatives focused on peace, security, and international cooperation.
Thanks to the Municipality’s institutional support, the provision of municipal facilities, and the joint promotion of educational activities, l’Alfàs del Pi has established itself as the venue for a range of national and international training programmes. In addition to hosting six editions of the REACT course, the municipality has welcomed the United Nations Civil-Military Cooperation Course, the Security and Self-Protection Course, and the Agenda 2030 Challenges conference series, creating a comprehensive programme that brings together professionals, researchers, public institutions, and citizens to address today’s most pressing global challenges. This successful collaboration lays the foundations for expanding future training opportunities and further establishing l’Alfàs del Pi as an international meeting point for humanitarian professionals.
A Municipality with an International Vocation
With more than half of its residents coming from international backgrounds, l’Alfàs del Pi is one of Spain’s most multicultural municipalities. This unique social fabric makes it an ideal setting for promoting intercultural dialogue, peaceful coexistence, and international cooperation, values that are fully aligned with the mission of Helsinki España.
The municipality’s connection to peacebuilding, however, predates its collaboration with Helsinki España.
Long before these joint initiatives began, l’Alfàs del Pi had already established a significant link to peace studies through the presence of Professor Johan Galtung, widely regarded as one of the founding figures of Peace and Conflict Studies. Founder of the world’s first peace research institute in Oslo, United Nations consultant, international mediator, and recipient of both the Gandhi Peace Award and the Right Livelihood Award, Galtung lived in l’Alfàs del Pi for many years, where he wrote a substantial part of his work and helped associate the municipality with academic research on conflict resolution and peacebuilding.
Today, decades later, that legacy continues through the collaboration between the Municipality and Helsinki España, supporting programmes that prepare future generations of professionals to address the humanitarian challenges of the twenty-first century.
Mayor Vicente Arques’ visit to the REACT course therefore represents far more than an institutional engagement. It reflects a shared commitment to education, international cooperation, and the continued development of a municipality that embraces the world through solidarity, diversity, and peace.