Summary
Highlights
The event welcomes both in-person and online attendees to 'Ethik im Dialog' (Ethics in Dialogue), a series on important and current topics. This session focuses on peace, a topic that has become increasingly urgent, especially following events like the end of World War II commemorations and recent peace initiatives in Istanbul regarding Ukraine. The discussion will cover global conflicts, national debates on defense, and personal impacts. The session begins with an interactive poll to gauge audience sentiments on these issues through a Mentimeter survey.
The audience participated in a live poll. On the Ukraine conflict, the majority favored peace initiatives, followed by a combination of initiatives and weapons deliveries. Regarding the German Bundeswehr, a volunteer army was preferred, with conscription as a second choice. When asked about personal feelings of threat from global crises, most felt moderately threatened. For 'What does peace need?', popular responses included compromise, understanding, engagement, dialogue, empathy, and justice. These collective thoughts will guide the evening's conversation.
The panelists are introduced: Dr. Martina Fischer (political scientist, peace researcher), Dr. Frank Reichher (military historian), and Bishop Friedrich Kramer (peace commissioner for the EKD). Dr. Fischer highlights 'justice' and 'rules' as crucial for peace, emphasizing the UN's role in conflict prevention. Dr. Reichher, when asked about the future of the Bundeswehr, suggests that conscription, if rethought as a broader civil engagement, could be beneficial. Bishop Kramer stresses 'will' and 'readiness' as central to peace, particularly in complex conflicts like Ukraine, and expresses hope for progress despite current difficulties.
Dr. Martina Fischer shares her focus on peace consolidation in war-torn societies, particularly her work in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia. She emphasizes restoring trust and rebuilding communities, connecting academic research with practical application. Her work at Brot für die Welt involved fostering dialogue and learning among partner organizations in the Global South, highlighting the crucial role of civil society in post-conflict recovery. She advocates for greater public attention to these initiatives.
Dr. Frank Reichher discusses his project on 'Military and Violence' at the Center for Military History and Social Sciences of the Bundeswehr. The project aims for interdisciplinary collaboration to understand military violence in all its forms, including its ambiguous presence even in peacetime. A key current focus is the intersection of military activity and the natural environment. He stresses the need to consider the ecological footprint of military operations and how investments in defense could also serve environmental transformation without compromising military capabilities. He hopes this environmental lens can highlight previously unquestioned aspects of military power.
Bishop Kramer explains his role as Peace Commissioner for the EKD, which involves coordinating peace initiatives within the church and other peace groups. He advocates for non-violence and focuses on informing discussions about disarmament. The EKD, valuing open debate, appointed him despite his pacifist stance. He is currently leading a consultation process to develop a new peace-ethical text. Regarding 'just peace', he states that the EKD's 2007 memorandum supports it as a goal, rejecting the concept of 'just war'. While the goal is clear, the current challenge lies in finding practical ways to achieve it, especially in evolving global contexts.
Dr. Reichher views current diplomatic efforts regarding Ukraine as largely symbolic, not leading to immediate breakthroughs. He emphasizes that pathways out of war are complex and require careful preparation, unlike the rapid escalation into conflict. Dr. Fischer agrees, noting the speculative nature of current reports and the need for discreet diplomatic channels to prepare for potential ceasefires, distinguishing them from lasting peace agreements. She regrets the lack of US-led diplomatic initiatives under previous administrations. Bishop Kramer stresses the need for the UN's involvement and notes Putin's use of symbolism, making genuine negotiations difficult. The rising global defense spending, including a report by the Peace Research Institute SIPRI, is discussed, raising concerns about a new arms race and the abandonment of disarmament efforts.
The conversation shifts to the dangers of nuclear weapons and new technologies like AI-driven autonomous weapon systems. Dr. Fischer expresses deep concern about the modernization of nuclear arsenals and the weakening of arms control forums. She calls for strengthening UN mechanisms for arms control to ensure transparency and predictability, avert a new, more dangerous arms race. Dr. Reichher adds the risk of proliferation, where more states might acquire nuclear weapons, further destabilizing global order. He hopes for a 'rationalization' of military potentials, where the futility of military violence becomes clear, potentially through advanced AI as depicted in 'Wargames'.
Dr. Fischer highlights the historical role of critical scientists in influencing governments on arms control, similar to the efforts during the Cold War. She notes a resurgence of such scientists advocating for disarmament. Bishop Kramer emphasizes critical language, differentiating 'war capability' from 'defense capability', and stresses that defense does not require being the strongest. He laments the absence of peace as a central theme in mainstream political parties and its relegation to the fringes. He advocates for democratic control over arms and transparency to prevent uncontrolled escalation.
Dr. Fischer observes a marginalization of the term 'peace' in current political discourse, often replaced by 'security', which she believes is not automatically achieved through military means. She questions the push for 5% GDP on defense, advocating for more efficient use of existing funds and a focus on essential capacities. She warns that this shift could defund development cooperation and civil conflict resolution. Dr. Reichher agrees, suggesting that true deterrence comes from a strong, functioning democracy, not just military might. He also highlights 'hybrid warfare' and misinformation as modern threats, requiring an informed and resilient citizenry rather than solely military responses. Bishop Kramer supports strengthening civil conflict resolution and social defense, drawing lessons from Baltic states, which prioritize these strategies given their military limitations. He notes the complex political landscape where 'peace' has become a contentious term.
The panelists reflect on how they personally cope with the challenging and often frustrating nature of their work on war and peace. Dr. Fischer draws strength from peace activists in the Global South working under difficult conditions, who inspire her with their unwavering hope and commitment to community building. She also stresses the importance of shifting perspectives to include global challenges like climate change, which is often prioritized in the Global South. Dr. Reichher admits to oscillating between a detached analytical approach as a historian and emotional responses, especially when personal connections are involved. He finds hope in linking military investments to environmental strategies. Bishop Kramer finds solace in his faith-based hope for a peaceful kingdom, seeing peace-making as an active process. He also notes the historical expansion of 'spaces of peace' as a source of optimism, emphasizing the importance of gentle, persistent engagement.
An audience member asks about how to achieve genuine negotiations for a ceasefire and lasting peace in Ukraine, particularly considering the differing views on arms shipments and sanctions. Dr. Reichher admits there's no easy answer, drawing parallels to historical peace efforts that often occur from positions of weakness or mutual exhaustion. Bishop Kramer emphasizes that even small-scale, continuous dialogue is valuable in protracted conflicts, and that public opinion needs mobilization for such sustained efforts. Dr. Fischer adds that sanctions could eventually be leverage in negotiations, but only if there's a unified strategy among international actors, which is currently lacking. Another question addresses the role of the arms industry and media in perpetuating conflict. Bishop Kramer refutes the idea of media as warmongers but acknowledges their role in shaping narratives. He notes that the arms industry, while profiting from conflict, might not be the primary driver of the current escalation. Dr. Reichher supports this, suggesting that the current surge is more an opportunistic response than an instigation. Dr. Fischer highlights the difficulty of nuanced discussions in polarized media and the challenges of controlling arms exports, stressing the need for stronger international regulations.
The discussion concludes with a final round from the panelists and another Mentimeter survey for the audience's vision of peace. Dr. Reichher states, 'Peace is only peace if it is just.' Dr. Fischer adds, 'Peace must always be established anew, requiring ongoing engagement, and politicians must be questioned on their definition of security and how to exit the security dilemma.' Bishop Kramer concludes, 'It is worthwhile to be part of the peace movement, finding strength in science and faith, and not letting go of the hope for peace, but actively pursuing it.' The audience's diverse responses include 'peace is long-winded', 'fight against fascism', 'hope', 'education', 'patience', 'dialogue', and 'love', emphasizing that peace is a continuous process requiring collective engagement and open communication.