Current global political developments bring significant challenges for Europe. The question of power and morality is essentially timeless and has always existed, but it gains entirely new urgency under today’s global political upheavals. In the debates connected with this, the term “strategic agency” is often mentioned without clearly defining what it actually means. How can Europe act in a secure, just, and competitive way over the long term without betraying its values? Which instruments, alliances, and governance models strengthen Europe’s role in a multipolar world? We want to discuss these and other questions to derive concrete courses of action, ethical guidelines, and practical implementation strategies. The focus here is on security policy in the sense of a ‘comprehensive security’ approach, which not only addresses traditional security and defense policy, but also takes topics like trade and technology policy, digital sovereignty, as well as foreign and development policy into account.

For 80 years, North Rhine-Westphalia has been synonymous with transformation and creative drive. From Germany’s industrial heartland, the state has evolved into a central hub for innovation, technology, and economic networking in Europe. Today, more than ever, the question arises as to what role North Rhine-Westphalia can and must play in a world marked by growing geopolitical tensions and profound upheavals. Security has long been viewed in a comprehensive manner: it encompasses economic strength, technological sovereignty, resilient supply chains, and the protection of critical infrastructure, as well as social cohesion. North Rhine-Westphalia offers unique advantages in this regard: as an industrial hub, a driver of innovation, and an internationally connected economic region.Together with our distinguished guests—Minister Mona Neubaur, Parliamentary State Secretary Sebastian Hartmann, Chairman of the Bundestag’s Foreign Affairs Committee Armin Laschet, and Armin Papperger of Rheinmetall—we aim to discuss how North Rhine-Westphalia can strategically leverage its strengths to become a key player in the security architecture of tomorrow. The focus is on three key questions:How can North Rhine-Westphalia leverage its industrial and technological base in a targeted manner to support a comprehensive security strategy?What policy and economic decisions are needed to strengthen resilience and capacity to act in a sustainable manner?What role can and should North Rhine-Westphalia play in the security architecture of the future at the national and international levels?

German security policy has repeatedly faced profound upheavals—from the rearmament of the young Federal Republic under Chancellor Konrad Adenauer to the current “turning point,” which calls for a fundamental redefinition of military capabilities, international responsibility, and strategic partnerships. But how can these historical and current turning points be understood in relation to one another? What continuities and breaks have shaped Germany’s security policy course since Adenauer? And how are new geopolitical realities changing the foundations of German foreign and security policy? This event is part of a series marking the 150th anniversary of Konrad Adenauer’s birth.

Climate change is not only altering ecosystems but also shifting geopolitical power dynamics. Melting polar ice caps are opening up new trade routes and access to resources in the Arctic, while strategically significant regions such as the Strait of Hormuz are increasingly caught in the crossfire of global interests. At the very least, the discussion surrounding President Trump’s intention to buy Greenland has shown how the Arctic is currently also being used as a projection screen for global power shifts. And the latest developments in the Middle East have once again highlighted just how great the interdependencies in the global economy still are. We want to discuss the interplay of energy issues, security interests, and economic interdependencies—and what this means for the realignment of international relations—with renowned experts. What geopolitical opportunities and risks arise from climate change? What role do energy, resources, and trade routes play in a changing world order? How can international cooperation succeed amid increasing tensions?

As Europe rethinks its foreign policy amidst shifting global political relations, one question remains central: Can cooperation succeed without confronting colonial history? This panel takes Germany’s first genocide of the 20th century in Namibia as a starting point to explore how colonial legacies continue to shape today’s global crises, from geopolitics and inequality to diplomacy and democracy. What does the “past in the present” mean for justice claims and Europe’s future role in the world? With experts Henning Melber, Katharina Hacker, and Julia Manek, moderated by Heloise Weber, the discussion will connect postcolonial perspectives with today’s political challenges, including the rise of authoritarian populism as well as transnational efforts aimed at building relations of solidarity and ‘just repair’ Join the conversation and be part of a critical debate on history, responsibility, and the future of international cooperation. In cooperation with: