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»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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Observer Reports MSC 2026

This year, Dr. Inga Blum / IPPNW and Natalia Jagolski / Leiden University visited the Munich Security Conference for MSKv. Here are their interesting reports:

Observer Report Dr. Inga Blum

Observer Report Natalia Jagolski

In addition to intensive networking, the two MSC observers were able to use their conference visit to generate media attention:

Inga Blum contributed with a statement on nuclear weapons to the panel discussion “Under Reconstruction: A World Order for the Next Generation.”

Panel Discussion A World Order for the Next Generation
(the statement can be viewed from minute 25:00)

Inga Blum has also prepared a conference report for the organization “International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War” (IPPNW):

Arms over norms: Military budgets given priority at security conference

Natalia Jagolski was approached by BBC News for an interview during the conference. For legal reasons, we are unfortunately unable to show this interview.

Thomas Mohr (Chairman MSKv) and Christoph Steinbrink (also MSKv) were interviewed by Radio Lora München. The focus was primarily on the question of whether the MSC and military strength actually contribute to greater security, and whether it is possible to exert influence on the conference. Inga Blum and Natalia Jagolski also have their say in this piece: What was discussed at the non-public MSC events? To what extent is a war scenario in 2029 being assumed? What role do diplomatic means play? And what about human security and the younger generation? The interview was conducted by Kevin Kaisig (Nord Süd Forum München e.V. – for a world of solidarity). Here is the link to the interview:

Eine-Welt-Report: The MSC 2026 – Dancing on a Volcano?

The daily newspaper “nd” reported extensively on the activities of MSKv in its article on the MSC 2026. Dr. Thomas Mohr and Dr. Inga Blum were quoted, and Natalia Jagolski was mentioned by name. Here is the link to the article:

Is the “Arms Bazaar” Reformable?

Note on the paywall: “nd” is among the financially struggling newspapers. If desired, the article can still be read free of charge. In addition to the standard subscriptions at “nd,” there is also the option to make a one-time payment.

Observer Reports MSC 2026 Read More »

Debriefing by MSKv’s MSC Conference Observers

As in previous years, MSKv sent two observers to the MSC.

This year’s conference observers, Dr Inga Blum and Natalia Jagolski, shared their impressions on February 15, 2026, as part of an event at the Hansa-Haus.

You can find information about our two conference observers here.

Here is the recording of the event, which was opened by Dr. Thomas Mohr (Chairman of MSKv) and moderated by Markus Brunnhuber (also of MSKv):

 

Debriefing by MSKv’s MSC Conference Observers 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 are these, in which human security is predominantly seen only in strength, power, superiority in weapons, and in dangerous threat and deterrence potential? Has the concept of “common security” with each other, instead of against each other (Olof Palme), been completely sacrificed to the logic of war? In addition to the editorial (→ 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), but also 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 “Peace-Capable” (→ p. 15), and therefore it should primarily be discussed in schools, instead of bringing the Bundeswehr into the classroom (→ p. 6). This could also be used to analyze 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. Are you with 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.

 

Project Journal Issue No. 21 for MSC 2026 Read More »

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 »

Conference observation of our association at the MSC 2026

Dr. Inga Blum (Co-President IPPNW) and Natalia Jagolski (Junior Lecturer, Leiden University) will be our observers at the MSC this year.

New as observer: Dr. Inga Blum

As Co-President of the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW), I am very pleased to be an observer at the Munich Security Conference this year. My focus is on the growing risk of nuclear war, which is fueled by the current wars and conflicts and the armament of all nuclear weapon states.

How will the topic be discussed at the MSC? Are there any ideas for risk reduction and new arms control? How is the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons assessed, which focuses on the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons and is already supported by over 70% of the international community?

I would like to discuss this with conference participants and specifically establish contacts with whom we can continue to work to strengthen humanitarian disarmament.

New as observer: Natalia Jagolski

As a Junior Lecturer in Security Studies at Leiden University and as an advocate for the Youth, Peace and Security Agenda (YPS), I experience that security is perceived as a topic that is too serious to involve young people. At the same time, expectations are growing that the young generation should take responsibility for national defense.

Both as a youth observer at the Peacekeeping Ministerial and Young Peacebuilder at the 2nd EU YPS Conference, the practical implementation of youth participation and meeting as equals remain a challenge. In times in which the rules-based international order is being questioned and the concept of security is increasingly defined militarily, it is therefore all the more important to promote generation-equitable approaches to peace and security.

I am therefore curious to see how this paradigm shift will be reflected at the MSC, and I hope that young people will be taken seriously as peace actors.

As MSKv, we are already very excited about the reports from our conference observers. Please make a note of the date and location: Review of the MSC 2026

Conference observation of our association at the MSC 2026 Read More »

Prayer for Peace (Sat 2026-02-14) – with the MSKv Project Group

“We pray for the participants of the Munich Security Conference, high-ranking decision-makers and opinion leaders from all over the world, that they may promote peace through dialogue. We ask for God’s assistance for the people who, through no fault of their own, must endure great suffering in the world’s crisis regions. Bless us, God, so that we ourselves may live in peace and become true partners for our neighbors.”

The individual prayer times are organized by religious orders, aid organizations, spiritual communities, churches of the ACK Munich, associations, and initiatives.

Date of “Prayer Chain”: Sat 2026-02-14, 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Prayer Hour by MSKv & pax christi: Sat 2026-02-14, 4:00 PM

Location: Bürgersaal Unterkirche, Neuhauserstraße 14, Munich

Information and further offerings for “Living Peace – Prayer for the Munich Security Conference” can be found on the website of the Archdiocese of Munich and Freising, with an explicit reference to the event featuring our conference observers Dr. Inga Blum and Natalia Jagolski:Praying for Peace

Prayer for Peace (Sat 2026-02-14) – with the MSKv Project Group Read More »

International Munich Peace Conference 2026

This year’s Munich Peace Conference is themed “Against the Current of Violence”. Well-known participants are expected again, including Kristin Helberg, Deborah Feldman, Simon David Dressler, Dr. Shir Hever.

Last year’s most prominent speaker, Francesca Albanese, is to be awarded an honorary doctorate by three Belgian universities (Ghent, Brussels, Antwerp). An interesting development, considering that LMU had cancelled an event with Ms. Albanese at short notice in February 2025.

On Sunday, 2026-02-15, 11:00 AM, Fabian Scheidler will read from his book “Friedenstüchtig – Wie wir aufhören können, unsere Feinde selbst zu schaffen” (Peace-Capable – How We Can Stop Creating Our Own Enemies). Our current project newspaper features a book review by Christoph Steinbrink on page 15.

We invite you to once again give your attention to the Munich Peace Conference this year! MSKv will have an information stand.

Details on the program, venue, and online participation can be found here: friedenskonferenz.info

International Munich Peace Conference 2026 Read More »

Our Call for a Peace Demonstration on the Occasion of the MSC

In 2026, we will once again be calling for the Anti-Siko Demo with our own appeal: “By participating in the demonstration, we want to focus on creative and non-violent protest. We promote civil conflict resolution and the reallocation of armaments expenditure to a sustainable, civil security policy, as currently described by the “Rethinking Security” campaign in its positive scenario 2025-2040 “Europe’s Role for Peace in the World.””

As in recent years, we see this demonstration on the occasion of the Security Conference as a “peace signal from civil society”.

The full call: Demo call MSKv

Opening rally:
Sat, 14.02.2026, 13:00, Karlsplatz/Stachus.
Afterwards, peace chain through the pedestrian zone and demo procession at the same time.

Final rally:
approx. 15:00, Marienplatz.

More information about the demo “Stop the arms madness!”: Anti-Siko Demo

Our Call for a Peace Demonstration on the Occasion of the MSC Read More »

Peace Prayer of Religions

Joint Prayer for Peace and Understanding

The Peace Prayer of Religions is a central moment of reflection and collective pause as part of the Munich Peace Conference 2026. In a time of global crises, armed conflicts, and societal polarization, this interfaith prayer invites us to pause and collectively make a statement for peace, dialogue, and humanity.

Jews, Christians, Muslims, Bahá’ís, and Buddhists come together to pray for peace from their respective religious traditions. The Peace Prayer highlights spiritual diversity while emphasizing what is shared: the responsibility of all religions for non-violence, compassion, and respectful coexistence.

Sunday, February 15, 2026 | 6 PM | In-person

Hansa-Haus, Brienner Straße 39 (rear building), 80333 Munich
MVV: U2 Königsplatz station

 

Peace Prayer of Religions Read More »

MSKv Side Event 2026 – Rejected by the MSC.

Since 2015, we have been proposing side events as a space for reflection and learning for the international participants of the MSC. The result of the Munich Peace Meeting, which we organised in October 2025 and in which the MSC management actively participated, was ultimately not approved by the MSC. Therefore, our active participation this year is limited to the presence of our MSKv observers, who are invited to attend all events and happenings at the international venue Hotel Bayerischer Hof throughout the weekend.

MSKv-developed topic for 2026, rejected by MSC:
From Cyberwar to Cyberpeace – Designing AI fairly and reliably. Transforming new technologies into value-oriented instruments for peace, solidarity and a just world order.

Given today’s complexity and disintegration, mainstream diplomacy and politics demonstrate a worrying inability to overcome binary concepts such as “right/wrong”, “win/lose”, “West/East”, “North/South”, thereby reproducing (structural) violence. AI adds another layer of complexity, raises fundamental questions of humanity and is mostly regarded as a disruptive technology that is systemically geared towards the “digital divide” and limited to military, authoritarian technology. However, the UN, civil society, religions and ethical think tanks are looking for control mechanisms and AI parameters to address humanitarian challenges, conflicts and sustainable human security. This event invites the international MSC participants to use their human intelligence and sharpen their judgement. The experts of the side event will provide suggestions and promote reflection on what could be done to develop AI into an instrument for peace, justice and solidarity. The MSC participants will work in a careful didactic framework in which they will meet prominent international speakers with their background in diplomacy, politics, security or technology to advocate for standards and ethical guidelines for AI to protect a liberal, democratic international order.

Side Event 2025 (completed)

Press release for Side Event 2025

 

MSKv Side Event 2026 – Rejected by the MSC. Read More »

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