Westphalian Peace Conference 2025
2nd Westphalian Peace Conference

A Call for a Defensive Peace

Under the motto "Europe's Turning Point - Shaping Security Together," the 2nd Westphalian Peace Conference took place on April 4, 2025, in Münster's historic town hall. Organized by the Economic Society of Westphalia and Lippe (WWL), the event attracted around 350 national and international guests from politics, business, and academia. It was chaired by former Federal Minister and Prime Minister Peer Steinbrück.

The Westphalian Peace Conference, which celebrated its successful premiere in 2023, builds on the Peace of Westphalia of 1648 and seeks answers to the pressing questions of today's changing world order. This year's discussions focused on the conditions under which a lasting and defensible peace can be achieved in Europe and the world. The Chairman of the WWL, Dr. In his welcoming remarks, Federal President Dr. Reinhard Zinkann said the conference was "a symbol of dialogue, a bridge between the past and the future, and a strong signal for freedom, security, and international cooperation."

Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier officially opened the conference and, together with Dr. Zinkann, presented a special award from the International Peace of Westphalia Prize to Holocaust survivor Margot Friedländer. Speaking to the 103-year-old, Steinmeier praised her "attractiveness of goodness, compassion, and conciliation." Her attitude, which has such an infectious effect on people, touches hearts, reaches minds, and moves us deep within. Dr. Reinhard Zinkann had previously emphasized: "You truly deserve this award because, day after day, you remind people and us Germans that we should treat each other peacefully, respectfully, and with mutual respect."

In her words of thanks, Friedländer said it meant a great deal to her to receive this award in the city of the Peace of Westphalia. In today's world, when peace is threatened both externally and internally, it is "the duty of each and every one of us to work for peaceful coexistence, for respect and democracy."

Following the ceremony, the Westphalian Peace Conference (WFK) once again offered a series of high-profile panel discussions and spotlight events. A spotlight on Eastern Europe provided an important platform for the voice of the opposition. Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, opposition leader of Belarus, reported on the situation in the region. "The dictators make the most beautiful promises and commit the worst crimes," she said. "Our sovereignty is threatened, our independence is denied." Resistance is only possible underground, reported the exiled politician. The goal, however, must be that not only Belarus and the Baltic states, but all of Europe, can live in peace.

Panel 1: Europe's New Security Architecture

The first panel of the WFK was dedicated to the turning point in security policy in Europe. Following a keynote speech by former German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer, Jean Asselborn, former Foreign Minister of Luxembourg, Sylvie Goulard, former French Defense Minister, and Marek Prawda, Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Poland, discussed the challenges facing the European security architecture and the need for a common strategy.

Panel 2: Global Economy and Peace Policy

The second panel examined the connection between the global economy and peace policy. Following a keynote speech by René Obermann, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Airbus Industries, Thomas Kleine-Brockhoff, Director of the German Association of Peace and Development (DGAP), Lauren Kjeldsen, Member of the Executive Board of EVONIK, and the scholar and publicist Joseph Simon de Weck participated in the discussion. The focus was on the opportunities and risks of globalization for peace.

Panel 3: Migration in Europe

The topic of migration in Europe was explored from various perspectives in the third panel. Following an introduction by North Rhine-Westphalia's Minister for Europe, Nathanael Liminski, the discussion was followed by Rolf Buch, CEO of Vonovia, migration researcher Gerald Knaus, and Dennis Radtke MEP. The participants discussed the challenges and opportunities of migration for European society.

Panel 4: Cooperation or Confrontation – The Transatlantic Relationship

The fourth panel analyzed the transatlantic relationship. Following an introduction by Hendrik Wüst, Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia, Joschka Fischer, former Federal Foreign Minister, Jeff Rathke of Johns Hopkins University, Washington, DC, and political scientist Dr. Constanze Stelzenmüller discussed the future of relations between Europe and the United States.

In the Baltic Spotlight, Estonia's Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna commented on developments in the region. The minister left the NATO Foreign Ministers' meeting in Brussels early to deliver a detailed report on European defense strategy in Münster. "I have never seen such a united Europe," Tsahkna asserted. Russian President Putin is in the process of restoring the Soviet empire. "We must not allow that to happen."

The program

The programme for the conference day can be downloaded here.