Press Release December 22, 2024

Peace Conference Searching for a Venue – Cancellation by Catholic Academy

Just like Mary and Joseph in the Christmas story, the International Munich Peace Conference finds intself without a veneu just a few weeks before its planned start. On December 13, 2024, the Catholic Academy in Bavaria canceled the reservation contract at short notice and without providing any reasons. This setback jeopardizes the execution of the renowned peace conference.

“If you plan an event in Munich that does not align with prevailing opinions about the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, you quickly find yourself without project funding or a venue,” explains Maria R. Feckl, project manager of the Peace Conference.

The reasons for the cancellation remain officially unclear. However, it is striking that the termination took place immediately after the list of speakers was sent to the Catholic Academy. “Of course, it is pure speculation to assume that the cancellation of the reservation contract is related to one of our invited speakers – unfortunately, the Catholic Academy did not inform us of the actual reasons, even upon request. Although pax christi, the International Catholic Peace Movement, is one of our sponsoring organizations, the Catholic Academy does not seem to have a basis of trust for such openness.”

Time pressure and financial challenges

With only eight weeks until the planned start of the conference, it will be extremely difficult to find a suitable and affordable venue. The financial resources of the sponsoring organizations are scarce, as both the project funding from the Catholic Fund and the cultural department of the City of Munich are uncertain or have not materialized.

High-Profile Program – Prominent Guests Expected

The Peace Conference 2025 offers a high-profile program that attracts prominent guests from politics, science and the media. Among the announced speakers are:

  • Prof. Dr. Heribert Prantl, author and columnist for the Süddeutsche Zeitung,
  • Francesca Albanese, UN Special Rapporteur of the Occupied Palestinian Territories,
  • Dr. Gershon Baskin, known for his leading role in the negotiations for the release of the Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit by Hamas in 2011.

“We have a great program, are expecting hundreds of participants and are without a room,” says Maria R. Feckl.

Call for support

The Peace Conference is asking Munich’s urban society for support:

  • Do you have any ideas for an affordable venue?
  • Can you help with a donation?

Please contact us at office@friedenskonferenz.info. Every help counts to save the Peace Conference 2025 and continue to create a space for critical dialog. ***

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:

Deutsche Friedensgesellschaft-Vereinigte Kriegsdienstgegner*innen Landesverband Bayern (DFG-VK Bayern)
pax christi Diözese München und Freising e.V.
Internationale Ärzt*innen für die Verhütung des Atomkrieges / Ärzt*innen in sozialer Verantwortung e.V. (IPPNW) MSKverändern e.V. Netzwerk Friedenssteuer NatWiss Verantwortung für Frieden für Zukunftsfähigkeit e.V. Helmut Michael Vogel-Bildungs e.V. (IPPNW) (IPPNW)
MSKverändern e.V.
Netzwerk Friedenssteuer
NatWiss Verantwortung für Frieden und Zukunftsfähigkeit e.V.
Helmut-Michael-Vogel-Bildungswerk e.V.
IFFF Internationale Frauenliga für Frieden und Freiheit Further information at https://friedenskonferenz.info