Unwelcome Voices? Increasing Hurdles for the Munich Peace Conference

Press Release | February 8, 2025

Unwelcome Voices? Increasing Hurdles for the Munich Peace Conference

The 23rd International Munich Peace Conference is just around the corner – but the challenges continue to mount. Funding has been cut, venues withdrawn, and security requirements tightened at the last minute – the civil society alternative to the Munich Security Conference (MSC) is under increasing pressure.

Political Interference or Mere Coincidence?

This year’s Peace Conference began with a funding shortfall of €16,000 after the City of Munich’s Department of Culture, followed by other sponsors, withdrew their financial support in 2024 – under political pressure from the SPD and the Greens in the city council. But that was just the beginning:

❌ Shortly before Christmas, the rental contract with the Catholic Academy for the 2025 conference was canceled without explanation.
📍 Eight weeks before the event, a new venue had to be found for two evenings, each accommodating up to 400 people.
💰 The only available alternative – smartvillage – is significantly more expensive than previous locations.

Thanks to an initial wave of donations and strong civil society support, the conference was still secured.

Now, just one week before the event, the next hurdle arises:

🔺 The venue’s management is suddenly demanding a certified security plan with an external security agency.
🔺 At least three security personnel per evening – costing several thousand euros.
🔺 This requirement is justified by the presence of U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance at the MSC – despite no security risks for the Peace Conference.

📢 The police themselves see no security risks or planned protests. The event is registered with the District Administration Office (KVR), which is typically more than sufficient.

“First, they cut our funding, then they take away our venues, and now they impose excessive security requirements out of nowhere – this is no longer a coincidence,” says Maria R. Feckl, head of the Munich Peace Conference. “Critical discussions on German foreign policy are evidently being systematically obstructed.”

What Makes These Topics So Controversial?

The Peace Conference focuses on issues that are often presented one-sidedly in German public discourse:

✅ The militarization of Germany: Is “war readiness” the new guiding principle?
✅ Critical perspectives on Western foreign policy – including regarding Israel.
✅ The deadly fortification of the EU – a violation of human rights?

“We are asking the questions that need to be asked,” says Maria R. Feckl. “It is our democratic right to analyze and critically debate. The public discourse is being increasingly restricted.”

Demand: Transparency & Fairness

If these security requirements are truly just “precautionary measures” for the U.S. Vice President, then the additional costs should be covered by the U.S. or the MSC itself – not by a civil society peace conference.

Despite all obstacles, the IMFK remains steadfast – and demands:

✔ An end to political interference in peace policy events.
✔ Equal standards for public events – even when they challenge the political narrative.
✔ A transparent justification for security measures imposed only one week before the event.

📌 The conference will take place as planned!
📍 Location: smartvillage, Rosenkavalierplatz 13, Munich
💻 Free online participation via: www.friedenskonferenz.info

📢 “We will not be silenced.” – Maria R. Feckl

Contact:

📞 Maria R. Feckl – Project Lead, International Munich Peace Conference
📧 office@friedenskonferenz.info
📍 Tel.: 0160 97 50 20 28

International Munich Peace Conference
℅ Helmut-Michael-Vogel Bildungswerk e.V.
Frauenlobstr. 24 Rgb., 80337 Munich

📢 More information: www.friedenskonferenz.info