25th Foreign Policy Conference

The 25th Foreign Policy Conference will explore how peace and security are being redefined in an increasingly fragmented world. What does it take to reclaim peace and security from a progressive, Green perspective? How can these notions be re-anchored in democratic freedom, dignity and human rights — rather than surrendered to authoritarian reinterpretation?

As the international order fragments and authoritarian “peacemaking” gains traction, democratic actors who seek a just and peaceful world urgently need a new vision. This is where the concept of “peace in freedom”, coined by Alliance 90/The Greens during the 2025 election campaign, offers an alternative. “Peace in freedom” recognizes: peace is only sustainable when it is rooted in pluralism, civic participation, and protection of the vulnerable — at home and abroad.

This perspective also reshapes our understanding of security. A comprehensive approach to security emphasizes the importance of integrating civilian and military tools, preventive and reactive measures, and short- and long-term strategies.

At our Foreign Policy Conference we will bring together policymakers, scholars, and civil society leaders from Germany and the Foundation’s international network. Please join us for a shared exploration of how to reclaim and reshape the future of global peace and security:

• How can we reclaim peace and security from populist and authoritarian appropriation and re-anchor it in democratic freedom, justice, pluralism and human rights?
• What joint strategies and investments are necessary to restore and maintain a lasting peace in freedom — from Lisbon to Luhansk and across other regions?
• How can democracies in Europe and beyond develop resilient, whole-of-society responses to hybrid threats?
• How can narratives of peace and a long-term vision of disarmament be aligned with the urgent and necessary increase in defense spending?
• How can Europe ensure that its pursuit of freedom, security, and peace does not come at the expense of others?

On the margins of the conference, we will exhibit illustrations by the artist Gianluca Costantini. In his work, he portrays partners of the Heinrich Böll Foundation from around the world, giving visual expression to their individual voices on peace, freedom and security. The illustrations reflect the diversity of experiences and perspectives and invite us to view global challenges through the eyes of committed human rights activists, researchers, and members of local civil society.

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Berlin, 29 September 2025

09:00 a.m. – 09:30 a.m.   Registration & Exhibition

09:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.   Opening, Scene-Setting, Keynote I

• Pavlo Klimkin, fmr. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine

Facilitation: Jan Philipp Albrecht, Co-President, Heinrich Böll Foundation

10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.   Panel Discussion I – Spotlight “Peace in Freedom”

Holding the Line: Defending “Peace in Freedom” in a Changing Global Order

• Olha Aivazovska, International Center for Ukrainian Victory; OPORА
• MP Agnieszka Brugger, Deputy Chairperson, Alliance 90/The Greens
• Marcin Jerzewski, Taiwan Office of the European Values Center for Security Policy
• Gustavo da Cunha Westmann, Presidency of the Republic of Brazil

12:00 p.m. – 01:00 p.m.   Lunch break

01:00 p.m. - 01:30 p.m.   Keynote II

• MP Franziska Brantner, Co-Leader of Alliance 90/The Greens

01.30 p.m. – 03.00 p.m.   Panel Discussion II – Spotlight “Security”

On our Borders and Shores, and Already Within? Countering Hybrid Threats

• Akira Igata, University of Tokyo
• Maxime Lebrun, European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats
• MP Sara Nanni, Spokesperson for Security Policy, Alliance 90/The Greens
• Beverly Ochieng, Control Risks; Africa Program, CSIS
• Brigadier General Jürgen Schrödl, German Federal Ministry of Defence

03.00 p.m. – 03.30 p.m.   Coffee and networking break

03.30 p.m. – 04.00 p.m.   Keynote III

• Susana Muhamad, fmr. Minister of Environment and Sust. Development, Colombia

Facilitation: Imme Scholz, Co-President, Heinrich Böll Foundation

04.00 p.m. – 05.30 p.m.   Panel Discussion III – Spotlight “Just Peace”   

Defending Disarmament? Navigating Tensions in Reclaiming Peace and Security

• Bonnie Jenkins, fmr. US Under Secretary of State for Arms Control & Int. Security
• Eunjung Lim, Kongju National University
• Murithi Mutiga, International Crisis Group
• Izumi Nakamitsu, UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs
• MP Robin Wagener, Special Rapporteur for Eastern Europe, Alliance 90/The Greens

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The discussion will be held in German and English, with simultaneous interpretation.

Admission is free. We look forward to your participation.

Contact:
Philipp Straub
Foreign and Security Policy Division
E straub@boell.de  
 

Your Participation in the event

» Participation on site
at the the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung Conference Center, Schumannstr. 8, 10117 Berlin

Please register in advance. Unfortunately, the number of seats for this event are limited. If we are at capacity, the conversation will be transmitted via video to other rooms.

» Livestream
Alternatively, you can follow the event via the livestream without registering.
Livestream in English
Livestream in German

» Towards Greater Accessibility
At the Heinrich Böll Foundation, we are constantly striving to remove barriers. Whether in our building, in the release of publications or at online events. All information on this can be found here.