Press release | December 23, 2024

New venue for the Munich Peace Conference 2025

The International Munich Peace Conference (IMFK) has found a new venue. On February 14 and 15, 2025 the IMFK will take place in the ballroom of the “smartvillage” event location at Rosenkavalierplatz 13 (U4 Arabellapark, 11 minutes from the main train station). The search for a room, just a few weeks before the start of the event, had become necessary after the Catholic Academy in Bavaria terminated the IMFK’s rental contract at short notice on December 13. “A big thank you to all the friends of peace who supported us in our search for a new, suitable room. It was an intensive and time-consuming search, but now one thing is certain: the Munich Peace Conference will take place,” explains Maria R. Feckl, Project Manager of the Peace Conference. For over 20 years, the IMFK has provided a platform for civil society to discuss the causes of violent conflicts, peace strategies and conflict transformation. Especially in times of increasing wars and social polarization, freedom of opinion and open discourse are essential for our democracy. But the public space for critical debate is shrinking. Organizers and sponsors who want to facilitate controversial debates are under increasing pressure. The IMFK was also confronted with this trend: public and church funding was cut and the rental contract for the original venue was terminated at short notice. This makes it more difficult to hold the very debates that are necessary for a critical examination of German and Western foreign and security policy.

Civil society involvement secures the peace conference

Despite these challenges, the IMFK remains an independent platform for critical reflection, non-violent political approaches and peace strategies – free from political and economic interests. With panels, workshops and cultural events, it brings together experts, activists and citizens to think and shape new paths for justice and peace. In order for this work to continue, courageous supporters are needed to defend open discourse. Especially in the face of growing authoritarian and right-wing extremist tendencies, it is more important than ever that critical voices are heard.

Contact:

Maria R. Feckl
Project Management International Munich Peace Conference
📞 Tel. 0160 97 50 20 28 📧E-Mail: office@friedenskonferenz.info 📍 International Munich Peace Conference
℅ Helmut-Michael-Vogel Bildungswerk e.V.
Frauenlobstr. 24 Rgb., 80337 Munich

Organizations of the sponsoring group:

  • German Peace Society – United Opponents of Military Service Bavaria (DFG-VK Bayern)
  • pax christi Diocese of Munich and Freising e.V.
  • International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War / Physicians in Social Responsibility (IPPNW)
  • MSKchange e.V.
  • Peace Tax Network
  • NatWiss – Responsibility for Peace and Sustainability e.V.
  • Helmut-Michael-Vogel-Bildungswerk e.V.
  • IFFF – International Women’s League for Peace and Freedom

More information at: https://friedenskonferenz.info