What it is about…
Sustaining Peace in a Changing International Environment
International Conference
16-17 November 2026, University of Graz
The international order that emerged in the aftermath of the Second World War is currently experiencing significant challenges. A number of powerful states are increasingly pursuing their objectives through military means and diplomatic or economic coercion, rather than through long-term multilateral cooperation. At the same time, institutions mandated to safeguard international peace and security are struggling to adequately represent the growing diversity of voices within the international community.
The spirit of international cooperation that characterized the post-Cold War era has given way to open competition for regional and global influence. The UN Security Council frequently appears paralyzed, with vetoes and geopolitical rivalries obstructing critical decisions. Meanwhile, human-induced environmental processes are intensifying the dynamics of armed conflict. Climate change, global environmental degradation, and the decline of biodiversity are increasing the vulnerability of political communities worldwide.
These developments have fundamental implications for international peace. Armed conflicts are being drawn into the dynamics of an emerging multipolar order. Against this backdrop, international initiatives aimed at resolving armed conflicts are focusing increasingly on risk management rather than on addressing underlying causes. Tellingly, the number of armed conflicts has reached a new record high in each of the past three years.
The symposium seeks to discuss whether and how the international post-war order can accommodate the current changing environment.
Experts and Speakers
Peter Riedler
Eva-Maria Holzleitner
Elke Kahr
Gabriele Schmölzer
Jürgen Pirker
Maximilian Lakitsch
Milja Kurki
Cedric de Coning
Xinyu Yuan
Sandra Pogodda
Marsha Henry
Judith Vorrath
Anna Jarstad
Benedikt Harzl
Lisa Heschl
Ksenia Radchenkova
Erika De Wet
Bella Volen
Nicole Pruckermayr
Organising Team
Josef Mühlbauer
Kathrin Maderbacher
Maximilian Lakitsch
Program
16 November 2026
17:30 – 18:00: Reception, registration & welcome
18:00 – 18:10: Official opening – Welcome address by the Rector of the University of Graz
18:10 – 18:30: Welcome addresses: Federal Minister Eva-Maria Holzleitner & Mayor Elke Kahr
18:30 – 18:40: Welcome address by the Dean
18:40 – 18:55: Presentation of our vision: Maximilian Lakitsch & Jürgen Pirker – presenting the vision of the Peace Dialogue
18:55 – 20:00: Keynote Speech – Milja Kurki (Aberystwyth University)
20:00 – 22:00: Reception hosted by the City of Graz
17 November 2026
08:45-09:00: Arrival
09:00-11:00: Panel 1: Pursuing Peace in times of multipolar power politics
How can the international community still effectively pursue its goal of maintaining peace and security under the conditions of multipolar power politics?
Panelists
Cedric de Coning (Norwegian Institute of International Affairs)
Xinyu Yuan (Peace Research Institute Frankfurt)
Sandra Pogodda (University of Manchester)
Moderation: Bendedikt Harzl
11:00-11:15: Introduction Peace of Art
11:15-12:30: Coffee Break, Art of Peace, and Network “Agora”
12:30-13:30: Lunch Break
13:30-15:30: Panel 2: Reconsidering UN Peace Operations
Under current conditions – and considering the sobering record of several missions, including MINUSMA and MONUSCO, which have raised questions about mandate design, effectiveness, host-state consent, and the UN’s authority, as well as instances of serious misconduct by UN personnel – what is the future of UN peace operations? Can UN peace missions be maintained as a viable tool for international peace and security? Should they be, and under what circumstances?
Panelists
Marsha Henry (London School of Economics and Political Science)
Judith Vorrath (Deutsches Institut für Internationale Politik und Sicherheit)
Anna Jarstad (University of Uppsala)
Moderation: Lisa Heschl
15:30-16:00: Recap – Prof. Erika de Wet
16:00-16:15: closing remarks from the Organisation Team
Registration
Registration Deadline: 16 October 2026
Please note that photos and videos will be taken during this event. These may be used for promotional purposes (e.g., on websites, on social media, in press releases). By attending, you consent to being photographed and recorded. If you do not wish to appear in such materials, please inform the event organizer.
Graz Peace Dialogues 