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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
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
Announcement: 7th Munich Peace Meeting 2025
On the initiative of the project group ‘Münchner Sicherheitskonferenz verändern’ e.V. and with the participation of the Munich Security Conference team, a Munich Peace Meeting has been held annually since 2019 as a non-public expert discussion.
The Munich Peace Meeting (MPM) has developed into an important event where
– peace research, peace work, the peace movement, and the MSC network,
– an in-depth expert exchange on aspects of security and peace policy takes place,
– concrete suggestions for the upcoming MSC in February each year can emerge regarding topics, guests, and formats.
The 7th Munich Peace Meeting will take place on September 29, 2025 (Part 1) and October 21, 2025 (Part 2).
The following key topics are planned:
- Role of women in sustainable conflict transformation and peacekeeping
- Influence of culture, religion, and tradition on security and peace instruments
- Contribution of active non-violence and civil peace work to peacekeeping and stability
- Social justice and inclusion as central foundations of constructive and sustainable peacebuilding
We will inform you about the results and further activities after the conclusion of the MPM 2025.