Graz Peace Dialogues: Sustaining Peace in a Changing International Environment

The international order established after the Second World War is facing serious challenges. Countries like the USA, Russia, China and other major powers are increasingly pursuing their goals through military force, as well as diplomatic and economic pressure, rather than through long-term cooperation with other nations. The cooperative spirit that followed the end of the Cold War has given way to open competition for regional and global power. The UN Security Council is often paralyzed: vetoes and rivalries between major powers block important decisions. Meanwhile, the institutions meant to protect global peace and security are struggling to keep up: they find it difficult to include powerful states and represent the growing number of voices in the international community.

These developments matter deeply for international peace. Armed conflicts are becoming more and more transnational in nature. They are increasingly shaped by the shifting balance of power that comes with the decline of US dominance. Eventually, human-driven changes to our natural environment are making conflicts more likely. Climate change, pollution, and the loss of biodiversity are making communities around the world more vulnerable. At the same time, international efforts to resolve conflicts focus more on managing risks than on addressing their root causes. As a result, the number of armed conflicts has reached a new record high for three years in a row.

This symposium brings together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers from across Europe to discuss the future of international peace and security in a rapidly changing world. Among others, it features internationally renowned experts, including Milja Kurki (Aberystwyth University), Cedric de Coning (NUPI), Mateja Peter (University of St. Andrews), Sandra Pogodda (University of Manchester), Marsha Henry (Queen's University Belfast), Judith Vorrath (SWP Berlin), Anna Jarstad (University of Uppsala), and Erika De Wet (University of Graz). At the same time, it involves a wide range of organizations from Austria working on international peace and security. In doing so, the event continues the discussion at a national level while offering a space for networking among researchers, practitioners, students, and interested individuals at the University of Graz. Finally, the Graz Peace Dialogues feature a peace art exhibition with Austrian artists.

For more information and registration, visit https://grazpeacedialogues.org/