Project Group
»Changing the Munich Security Conference« e.V.

Unsere Vision ist eine Münchner Konferenz für Friedenspolitik – Our Vision is a Munich Conference for Peace Policy

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Around the Munich Security Conference 2026

During the MSC weekend in Munich you can – as in previous years – participate in many events of the peace movement:

For reading, there is again our current MSKv-project newspaper

We will also continue our activities to change the conference at the MSC 2026 on site:

 

Around the Munich Security Conference 2026 Read More »

Project Journal Issue No. 21 for MSC 2026

Dear friends of peace,
the new issue of our project journal was completed on time for the Munich Security Conference. The past few months have been politically very turbulent. It was challenging to take the latest geopolitical developments into account. We are confident that we have once again succeeded in publishing an exciting and informative project journal. Here is a small preview:

“… what crazy times these are, in which human security is predominantly seen only in terms of strength, power, superiority in weapons, and dangerous threats and deterrence potential? Has the concept of ‘common security’ with each other, rather than against each other (Olof Palme), been completely sacrificed to the logic of war? In addition to the lead article (→ p. 1), which advocates for an international peace movement, other contributions also highlight how dangerous military escalation is in Europe and the USA (→ p. 7), as well as in Gaza (→ p. 5). In this almost hysterical atmosphere of arms frenzy, where many countries are almost doubling their defense spending, does a voice calling for ‘non-violence‘ (→ p. 11) still have a chance to be heard at all? Shouldn’t we all become ‘peace-capable’ instead of ‘war-capable’ to jointly overcome humanity’s existential problems? Fabian Scheidler highlights this urgency in his book ‘Friedenstüchtig‘ (Peace-Capable) (→ p. 15), and therefore it should be discussed primarily in schools, instead of bringing the Bundeswehr into the classroom (→ p. 6). It could also be analyzed how much our so-called ‘rules-based order of the West‘ (→ p. 13) is built on lies and double standards. It remains to be hoped that the peace movement will regain strength to stand up against new intermediate-range missiles (→ p. 14) and the militarization of civil society. Will you join us? Your opinion on this is important to us!”

Don’t miss out on this issue!

Click here to go directly to the project newspaper:

… and here is the English version:

We look forward to your feedback on our new project journal.

 

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Our Munich Peace Meeting 2025

The 7th Munich Peace Meeting (MPM), initiated and organized by MSKv, took place on September 29 and October 21, 2025. Participants from the fields of peace studies, the peace movement, and peace work exchanged views with Dr. Benedikt Franke and other representatives of the MSC on current security and peace policy challenges.

Concrete proposals for the 2026 Security Conference were jointly developed. We are very curious to see what activities the MSC will derive from this.

A short report on the Munich Peace Meeting 2025 can be found here: MPM 2025

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Announcement of lecture during the Peace Weeks: “Danger of war for the EU and Germany?”

Announcement: Lecture during the Munich Peace Weeks
Where: EineWeltHaus, Room 211/212
When: Monday, November 17, 2025, 7:00 PM
Who: Erwin Schelbert, Project Group “Changing the Munich Security Conference” e.V.

Topic: “Danger of war for the EU and Germany?”

All just a threat lie or dangerous escalation by Russia?

Are more armaments and new conscription therefore unavoidable?

Three and a half years of war in Ukraine and Russia with increased arms deliveries by the USA and EU countries, especially Germany, military maneuvers by NATO and Russia, drone landings in Poland and Lithuania, discussion about stationing troops in Ukraine from NATO countries up to threats of the use of nuclear weapons, massive armaments of the EU (“Rearm Europe”), gigantic militarization in Germany (“Fit for war”, “Whatever it takes”), stationing of new medium-range missiles and planning the reintroduction of conscription – on which level of the conflict escalation spiral (Friedrich Glasl) are we already, that there is actually a danger of war and therefore shelters must be built and food supplies should be created (“Prepper”, Green Book)? And who is actually threatening whom here? Is there still a chance to reach a peace order in Europe and what would have to be undertaken by the Nobel Peace Prize winner EU (2012) and by Germany?

These and further questions will be clarified and discussed on the basis of the realistic facts, whereby it is also demanded that the Munich Security Conference, if it is really about peace in the world, provides a discussion forum for this, on which different voices from East and West can also be heard.

You can find the flyer for the event here

Announcement of lecture during the Peace Weeks: “Danger of war for the EU and Germany?” Read More »

09/19/25: Denkmail No. 47 – Nonviolent defense is effective

Dear friends of peace,

The federal government immediately forged a “license for debt” for its start. Conscription, arms expenditure of up to 5% (!) of the money earned by the people in the country, and range threats of weapons determine the discussion. And it is true: The fear of further escalation is real – and understandable. And the narrative of rearmament as the only logical answer is easily grasped. And yet many feel: This doesn’t really feel good.

Peace Congress shows: Nonviolent defense is effective – and inspires people

Over Easter this year, the online congress “Peace is Possible” with over 6000 participants took place in Germany. The intention was to reach people beyond the classic peace movement and to show: Nonviolent alternatives to military rearmament exist, they are tried and tested and effective.

And indeed, this was successful. The events met with enormous interest and resulted in lively resonance, courage and a spirit of optimism. For many, it became clear for the first time or again: Security can also be created through civilian, nonviolent strategies – and it works. This was shown, among others, by Betty Bigombe, Ugandan Minister, and the nonviolent Israeli-Palestinian campaign Combatants for Peace.

What made this congress so powerful was the wide range it spanned – from international politics to concrete peace work to the awareness of a personal inner peace. Political discussions and international diplomacy often remain abstract. The desire for viable alternatives to military logic is great. When people experience themselves as capable of acting, it shows that there is not only the choice between powerless passivity or military action. Feel free to read more at https://friedenistmoeglich.de/

The social openness for this perspective is there – it is waiting to be politically taken up. At the international Munich Peace Meeting of MSKv this October, this will be taken up from the perspective and expertise of 50 peace activists from 21 countries and discussed with the Munich Security Conference. Peace is not a state – it is a decision. Join us?

Sincerely,
Gerhard Rothaupt
Guest author MSKv

09/19/25: Denkmail No. 47 – Nonviolent defense is effective Read More »

06/07/25: Denkmail No. 46 on the stationing of medium-range missiles in Germany (Berlin Appeal)

New US medium-range missiles in Germany?

Dear friends of peace,

A year ago, the then Chancellor Scholz tersely announced that the German and US governments had bilaterally agreed that the Americans would station new medium-range missiles in Germany from 2026 onwards.

These are offensive weapons of the types Standard Missiles (SM-6), cruise missiles (Tomahawk) and hypersonic weapons (Dark Eagle, 17 times the speed of sound), ranges of 1700 km up to 2800 km, conventional warheads, but in principle also nuclear-capable, under the sole command of the USA. Planning for this began in 2017, long before the Ukraine war.

In 2019, the USA announced its withdrawal from the existing INF Treaty, citing an alleged capability gap. The planned stationing is not linked to any disarmament offer.

Due to the capabilities of these weapons (extremely short warning times) and the proximity to Russia, this step represents a dangerous escalation of the arms spiral and an enormous threat, especially to Russia. In a joint declaration by Presidents Putin (Russia) and Xi (China) on 4 February 2022, the danger of a “decapitation strike” emanating from this is therefore mentioned. This also means an incalculable threat for Germany. Dr. Erich Vad, Brigadier General (ret.), therefore says: “The stationing agreement is not acceptable from a German and European point of view.”

Since this gigantic build-up has not even been discussed in the Bundestag or a resolution passed, a majority in Germany rejects the stationing (Forsa survey) and the corresponding Berlin Appeal has so far been signed by 60,000 people, a broad public discussion must be held on this threatening measure with all its implications.

If the Munich Security Conference (MSC) really wants to be an open forum for all security issues, it is essential that it be discussed there in a broad framework with proven experts from science, politics, peace work, citizens’ councils and also experienced military personnel (Erich Vad, Harald Kujat, Wolfgang Richter)! And please do not only invite those seasoned talk show participants who argue with war logic and are well-known from the media, such as Carlo Masala, Klaus Mölling, Claudia Major or Nicole Deitelhoff!

What do you think about this? We look forward to hearing your views!

With peaceful greetings
Erwin Schelbert

 

06/07/25: Denkmail No. 46 on the stationing of medium-range missiles in Germany (Berlin Appeal) Read More »

Around the Munich Security Conference 2025

On MSC weekend in Munich you can at many events of the peace movement participate:

For reading, there is again our current MSKv-project newspaper (also in English)

We will continue our activities to change the conference at the MSC 2025 on site:

Press release: Rethinking MSKv and security for the MSC 2025

 

Around the Munich Security Conference 2025 Read More »

Review of the MSC conference observers from MSKv

Our review of the MSC 2025 will take place in the parish hall of the St. Bonifaz parish. Our conference observers, Ralf Becker and Alessia Neuner, will share their impressions and answer your questions. Information about our two conference observers can be found here.

Date: Sun, February 16, 2025, 4:30 PM
Location: Parish Center St. Bonifaz, Parish Hall Karlstr. 34, 80333 Munich
MVV: Subway U2, Königsplatz stop

Please also note our flyer for the event:

Following at the same location: Prayer for Peace of Religions, 6:30 PM

 

Review of the MSC conference observers from MSKv Read More »

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