This discussion will try to imagine what an enlarged EU in 2030-2035 could look like and where would an alternative scenario of not enlarging leave the bloc. What place could Ukraine, Moldova, and the EU members in the Western Balkans have in it? What kind of relationships would this enlarged EU have with its neighbours, especially Russia and the United States? What kind of global actor would the Union be in such a constellation? The discussants will talk about these and other issues trying to offer a vision of Europe beyond the horizon of crisis.

In an era defined by full-scale military invasion and the aggressive dismantling of democratic institutions, the capacity to challenge systems of violence is being tested to its limits. Across Eastern Europe, this struggle for agency is a matter of immediate survival: it persists in Belarus despite the state-led "cleansing" of civil society and in Russia, where criminalized anti-war dissent has moved underground. Meanwhile, Ukrainian civil society continues to anchor national defense while leading anti-corruption protests to demand internal accountability despite the constraints of martial law.

For decades, the "European Perspective" was a distant promise for the Western Balkans. Today, the geopolitical landscape has shifted. This public panel discussion brings together experts that will move beyond the technical "chapters" of accession. Can the EU reform itself internally while simultaneously expanding? How can the EU regain credibility in the Western Balkans while meeting the urgent needs of its neighborhood? What does joining the Union mean for the democratic aspirations of the region?

The International Catalan Institute for Peace (ICIP), in collaboration with Barcelona Centre for International Affairs (CIDO), International Institute for Peace (IIP), and several European organisations, has launched the webinar series Rethinking Security in Europe — a programme of five online sessions taking place between 7 May and 3 June 2026.

The series was conceived against a backdrop of rising military spending, the war in Ukraine, the genocide in Gaza, and the reshaping of international alliances, with the aim of opening up a space for critical debate about what we mean by security today and what alternatives exist beyond strictly military responses.

As part of the Erasmus+ Paths to Peace (P2P) project, Workshop 2 explores how tourism can become a powerful platform for peacebuilding, dialogue, and community connection. The session brings together perspectives from tourism innovation and regional peacebuilding to inspire young people and stakeholders to think critically about how tourism initiatives can contribute to more inclusive and peaceful societies. The workshop aligns with the project’s broader objective of empowering youth through tourism-based peacebuilding approaches and intercultural engagement.  

What has happened in Russia after four years of its full-scale war against Ukraine? European headlines report a stagnant economy, a suppressed civil society, and omnipresent military propaganda, but what do these developments actually mean for Russian citizens in their daily lives?

Brauchen wir eine multipolare Neuordnung? UN, NATO und EU - Organisationen, die nach dem Zweiten Weltkrieg zur Friedenssicherung beitrugen und wichtige Pfeiler der regelbasierten Weltordnung sind, leiden an Verlust der Glaubwürdigkeit und stehen vor inneren Zerreisproben. Ein Weitermachen wie bisher gibt es nicht. Es braucht neue Allianzen angesichts einer Weltlage, in der eine Großmacht wie die USA ihre vermeintliche Stärke auf neue Art ausspielt. Martin Kobler sieht in diesem Angriff auf die bisherige Weltordnung auch eine Chance für die EU, neue Strahlkraft zu entwickeln und ihren Werten treu zu bleiben. Dieser Abend ist eine Einladung, mit dem erfahrenen Diplomaten Macht und Ohnmacht der Diplomatie zu diskutieren.

This public panel examines the ongoing conflict in Iran, where U.S. and Israeli airstrikes have triggered a broader cycle of military escalation across Iran and the region. Targeting military installations, leadership compounds, and critical infrastructure, these strikes have provoked waves of Iranian retaliation, including missile and drone attacks on neighboring countries and U.S. positions. The current escalation is the culmination of years of geopolitical strain, marked by Iran’s diminishing influence in the region, the limits of its proxy strategy, and domestic unrest including mass protests and brutal state crackdowns.

In a world where military interventions are increasingly shrouded in euphemisms—‘excursions’ and ‘special operations’—the credibility of the rules-based order is under severe scrutiny. This event explores the rapidly evolving nature of diplomacy during times of conflict, focusing on recent cases such as the Iran war and the war in Ukraine. Against this backdrop, we will confront the urgent question: What changes does diplomacy need to undergo today to be able to fit for purpose before it is too late? The discussion will question whether traditional diplomatic channels and institutions still serve their purpose, or if personal trust now outweighs official procedures.

As a Youth Peace Leader, you will take part in four workshops and mentoring sessions that are designed to fit alongside your studies or work. During the program, you will explore real world examples, exchange ideas with your peers, and develop your own project that connects tourism and peace in creative ways. Join us on 8 April for the first Paths to Peace workshop, exploring concrete approaches to conflict resolution and sustainable peacebuilding.

Ungarn geht am 12. April an die Wahlurnen, um ein neues Parlament zu wählen. Zum ersten Mal seit über einem Jahrzehnt sieht sich Premierminister Viktor Orbán und seine Fidesz-Partei einer ernsthaften Herausforderung durch einen alternativen Kandidaten gegenüber. Laut aktuellen Umfragen liegt Péter Magyar, ein ehemaliger Verbündeter, der sich gegen Orbán gewandt hat, mit fast 10 Prozentpunkten in Führung.

Was passiert, wenn Krieg ein Teil des Menschen wird? MILITANTROPOS konzentriert sich auf diese Frage - ohne den Fokus auf das Individuum zu richten. Statt ausgewählte Protagonisten durch ihren Kriegsalltag zu begleiten, konzentrieren sich die Regisseur:innen darauf, die Veränderungen zu beobachten, die den Menschen zu einem Teil des Krieges werden lassen und den Krieg zu einem Teil des Menschen.

More than 30 years later, Bosnia and Herzegovina is an EU candidate country. Many obstacles remain on its path, but this makes it all the more urgent to revisit the Dayton Peace Agreement. How was it created? What were its original aims, and how does it function today? And what role has the European Union played, not only in Dayton itself, but in shaping Bosnia and Herzegovina’s post-war political and European trajectory?

The discussion will explore the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Belarus, analyzing both internal and foreign policy implications while highlighting the geopolitical and regional context. In addition, the panel will address Belarus-Ukraine relations in times of war, the dynamics of EU-Belarus relations, the growing influence of China and other global actors, and assess the current prospects for ‘regime change’.

Die Plattform literatur*grenzenlos / PEN Austria und das Internationale Institut für den Frieden dazu entschlossen, mit einer künstlerischen Veranstaltung ihre Solidarität und ihr Mitgefühl mit den Menschen im Iran auszudrücken. Denn in der iranischen Geschichte haben Künstlerinnen und Künstler – DichterInnen, SchriftstellerInnen, MusikerInnen sowie Film- und Theaterschaffende – stets auf künstlerischem Weg auf Ungerechtigkeiten hingewiesen und für Freiheit eingestanden.

This public panel will discuss the UN’s evolving role under a new Secretary-General, the rise of alternative mechanisms such as the Board of Peace, and shifting approaches from the current US administration. Are these trends strengthening global peace and security, or fragmenting the UN’s Charter-mandated role? How can the UN maintain legitimacy as powerful states act unilaterally, and what does effective multilateral leadership look like when powerful states violate international law?

This panel brings together experts to explore the gap between public perceptions of defense needs and the perspectives of political and military elites. In an era of rising defense budgets and growing geopolitical competition, European institutions and national governments must explain security decisions in ways that are clear, legitimate, and trustworthy.

Three decades after the Dayton Peace Agreement, its impact and relevance remain a powerful lens for understanding both conflict and peace. Dayton succeeded in ending a brutal war, yet the country has struggled to secure lasting stability. Looking beyond Bosnia and Herzegovina, Dayton’s legacy raises pressing questions: what lessons can guide the resolution of today’s global conflicts, and which strategies from the past might help address contemporary tensions and foster durable peace?

Die humanitäre Lage in Gaza ist dramatisch – mehr als zwei Jahre Krieg haben nicht nur Menschenleben zerstört, sondern es stellt sich auch die Frage, wie ein dauerhafter und gerechter Friede in Israel/Palästina möglich sein soll. Wir diskutieren in dieser Veranstaltung über die aktuellen Friedensbemühungen, und was Friedensarbeit auch in Österreich bewirken kann.

The concept of neutrality has evolved over time, taking on different definitions in different contexts. After 70 years of Austrian neutrality, this panel examines the international dimension of the concept. Austria’s neutrality, for example, quickly became a model for the idea of a disengagement zone in Central Europe. After the end of the Cold War, neutrality remains a valuable tool for managing military conflicts in an imperfect world where universal peace is still only an aspiration.

The USA under Donald Trump and Türkiye are increasingly acting as parallel dealmakers, driven less by ideals and more by interests, while the EU is becoming more sidelined. Not how deals are made, but who gets to make them is now in the focus. In this panel, we will explore if there is still room for long-term alignment. Or have short-term bargains replaced deeper cooperation?

Es scheint, als ob die Islamische Republik Iran einen stetigen Anspruch auf die Schlagzeilen der Weltpolitik erhebt – sei es in Bezug auf den Westen, den Nahen Osten oder aber in der Auseinandersetzung mit der unzufriedenen iranischen Gesellschaft. In diesem Buch blickt der renommierte Iran- und Nahost-Experte Ali Fathollah-Nejad auf die innere Verfassung des Landes und auch auf die außenpolitischen Herausforderungen durch die Politik Teherans.

A feature of modern authoritarianism is to suppress the particularity of the nation, which is reduced to a generic, nostalgic construct meant to encourage repetitive obedience. The current Belarusian regime, supported by its imperial Russian neighbor, is an extreme example of this. But the history of the Belarusian nation is full of color, unpredictability, and potential. In considering the deeper Belarusian past, we will also be imagining possible futures.

Wie können sich Medien differenziert und unabhängig verhalten, wenn Informationen in Kriegssituationen immer auch Mittel der militärischen Propaganda sind? Auf welche Weise lassen sich einer ungefilterten Darstellung von Tod und Zerstörung medienethische Grenzen setzen? Woran ist journalistische Verantwortung zu messen? Welche Haltung beziehen Film und Spieleindustrie?

Inmitten wachsender geopolitischer Spannungen, Machtkonkurrenz, Kriegen und Nationalismus wirft dieses Buch einen scharfen Blick auf die zentralen Konflikte unserer Zeit. Doch es bleibt nicht bei der Analyse. Mit konkreten Ideen für einen positiven Frieden eröffnet es neue Denkräume und zeigt auf, wie globale Spannungen abgebaut werden können – jenseits klassischer sicherheitspolitischer Denkmodelle. Die Veranstaltung lädt zu einer Diskussion über diese Perspektiven und die Rolle der Friedenspolitik im 21. Jahrhundert ein.

At a time of growing tensions and declining confidence in Europe, the question arises: How can the principles of the Helsinki Final Act be reaffirmed or reinterpreted for the 21st century? Can the OSCE be revived as a platform for dialogue and understanding between East and West? Our distinguished panelists will discuss ways to overcome the current security crisis and create a stable security order in Europe.

Wie können sich Medien differenziert und unabhängig verhalten, wenn Informationen in Kriegssituationen immer auch Mittel der militärischen Propaganda sind? Auf welche Weise lassen sich einer ungefilterten Darstellung von Tod und Zerstörung medienethische Grenzen setzen? Woran ist journalistische Verantwortung zu messen? Welche Haltung beziehen Film und Spieleindustrie? Die Diskussion erörtert Krieg und Frieden im Spiegel der Medien des 21. Jahrhunderts und beleuchtet kritische Perspektiven im Zeitalter von TikTok und der Manipulation in digitalen Filterblasen.

This panel will explore peace processes in Colombia and Peru, countries with distinct but comparable histories of conflict and peacebuilding efforts. It will examine the underlying causes of violence — including inequality, marginalization, ideological polarization, and foreign influence — as well as the transitions to peace through negotiation, reconciliation, and transitional justice.

The discussion will address the historical roots and complex dynamics of the Middle East conflict—from the founding of Israel, the Abraham Accords, and the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, 2023, to the current events, the war in Gaza, and the future of a two-state solution. What could the international community contribute to a just and hopeful future for both Palestinians and Israelis? What regional interests and actors are in play? What creative approaches exist?