Veranstaltungshinweis: Vorstellung des Friedensgutachtens 2026: "Sustainable peace or trade off? What future for European development cooperation"

European development cooperation is under pressure. It is increasingly being framed through the lens of security, migration, economic interests and geopolitical competition.

The gradual withdrawal of key players from development policy and the severe cuts in national and European funding not only narrow the scope for international action but also play into the hands of authoritarian regimes. Development co-operation risks losing its transformative potential for sustainable peace if it is conducted solely as a transactional policy driven by self-interest. For the EU it is therefore particularly important to create new avenues for negotiation and dialogue – for example, by playing a stronger role in coordinating development policy with other actors. At the same time, the EU needs to strengthen the “P” in the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus and ensure that conflict prevention and peacebuilding remain integral parts of development cooperation. This approach not only maintains Europe’s capacity to act, but also contributes to the promotion of long-term peace and stability.

We want to discuss what role the EU could and should take in face of geopolitical changes and time of polycrisis. Will the shift towards securitization in development policy be reflected in the EU's new Multi-Financial Framework, or will it maintain its unique status as a guarantor of peace and stability?

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 Ankeraround the world and call on Europe to forge new partnerships to jointly protect rules and prevent conflicts.

The offices of the EKD and FES in Brussels are delighted to invite you to a panel discussion to present elements of the report in the light of the current debates in Brussels.

Programme

12h00     Registration and Light Lunch

12h30     Welcome Remarks

Katrin Hatzinger, Director of the EKD office Brussels

Philipp M. Goldberg, Deputy Head of FES EU Office

12h40     Panel Discussion

Prof. Dr. Johannes Vüllers, Institute for Development and Peace (INEF), University of Duisburg‐Essen

Udo Bullmann, MEP

Floris Faber, ACT Alliance EU Representative & Head of Office

Maria Pilar Palmero-Vaquero, Head of Unit, Resilience, Peace, Security, DG INTPA

Followed by discussion with the audience chaired by Sidonie Wetzig, Policy Officer, FES EU Office

14h00     End of the programme

The panel discussion will be held in English. There will be no interpretation.

Please register here: ekd.bruessel@ekd.eu