From 16 to 18 April 2026, the annual retreat of the Steering Committee was held at the Schoenstatt Centre on the Kahlenberg in Vienna. Twenty-six representatives from eight Christian movements spent several days listening and discerning, during a period marking a historic turning point in the life of the international coordination.

A generational change in the spirit of unity

The highlight of the meeting was the handover by some of the Committee’s long-standing members, who have dedicated themselves to supporting TfE’s journey for decades. Their moving farewell paved the way for a new chapter, built on a spirit of gratitude and trust.

Margaret Karram, President of the Focolare Movement, highlighted the value of this service; in a letter, she expressed her deep gratitude to the outgoing members for their contribution to shaping the network’s identity and journey.

The leadership of the network is being handed over to a new moderation group made up of three members, drawn from  different Churches and movements. This is a tangible sign of continuity and openness to new horizons. In a European context marked by uncertainty, IpE reaffirms its mission: to bear witness that unity in diversity is a prophetic response to the challenges of our time.

Agenda and next steps

During the meeting, a number of future priorities were outlined, with particular emphasis on the role of the National Committees and the involvement of young people. Events already scheduled include:

• 11–13 May 2026 – To mark Europe Day, around 120 young people will present a “Pact between Generations” to the European Parliament, based on their experiences within TfE.

• Annual meeting of the “Friends of Together for Europe” in Würzburg (Germany).

This journey therefore continues, in the knowledge that walking together, whilst making the most of each other’s gifts, remains the way to build a Europe that is more united, more supportive and open to the future.

Beatriz Lauenroth

Read also the release dated 18 April 2026 >>

Photo: K. Oberegelsbacher / L. Taite