Thursday, 20.11.2025 - Office of the EKD, Rue Joseph II 166, 1000 Brussels

Presentation of the Peace Report 2025: World in turmoil - How to shape a new order, maintain geopolitical influence and safeguard peace?

Join experts on 20 November to discuss the findings of the Peace Report 2025 and explore, how the EU can strengthen its role as an institutional peacekeeper.

The world is in turmoil. Geopolitical conflicts, growing polarisation and a weakening of multilateralism through imperialistic power struggles are increasingly becoming the norm. At the same time, we witness a shift from fixed alliance structures towards alignment and multi-alignment, where states form situational coalitions, further undermining the predictability and stability of international relations. 

These developments are accompanied by growing mistrust and a dwindling willingness to cooperate. The current Peace Report addresses the question of how peace can be preserved and identifies strengthening institutional peacekeeping as one key element.

The EU in a changing world order

The EU is divided in many aspects of security and defense policy and is struggling to come to grips with the new strategic environment. Nevertheless, it could play an important role in overcoming the increasing polarisation by upholding the idea of a rule-based order. This would entail pursuing greater strategic autonomy on the one hand and forging new partnerships on the other hand.

FES and the Protestant Church in Germany (EKD) invite you to join our experts for a panel discussion, where we will explore:

  • How can the EU succeed in finding its new role in a changing world order?
  • Which partnerships are needed, and perhaps also which concessions?
  • What shape might a future international order take?
  • What could be a long-term strategy to shape this order and secure the EU's ability to actively influence its development - and maintain stability and peace?

Venue: Office of the EKD, Rue Joseph II 166, 1000 Brussels

The event will be held in English only. To register, please write to: ekd.bruessel(at)ekd.eu.

For more information please contact our Policy Officer for Foreign Affairs, Security & Defence Sidonie Wetzig: sidonie.wetzig(at)fes.de.


Programme

12:00 Registration and Light Lunch

12:30 Welcome Remarks

  • Katrin Hatzinger, Director of the EKD office Brussels
  • Philipp M. Goldberg, Deputy Director of FES EU Office

12:40 Panel Discussion

  • Dr. Stefan Kroll, PRIF - Peace Research Institute Frankfurt
  • Dearbhaile O’Callaghan, Senior Policy Officer European Peacebuilding Liaison Office
  • Thorsten Kirschner, Chief of Chaplains, German Armed Forces

Followed by a discussion with the audience chaired by Katrin Hatzinger, Director of the EKD office Brussels

14:00 End of the programme

About the Peace Report

The Peace Report is the joint yearbook of the German Institutes of Peace and Conflict Research (BICC / HSFK / IFSH / INEF). Researchers from various disciplines investigate the realities of conflicts in various countries around the world and call on Europe to forge new partnerships to jointly protect rules and prevent conflicts.


Contact

Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung European Union & Global Dialogue | Brussels Office

Rue du Taciturne 38
1000 Brussels
Belgium

+32 22 34 62 90
brussels(at)fes.de

Team 

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