Science for Peace: Bavaria strengthens research on conflicts and security

Science for Peace: Bavaria strengthens research on conflicts and security

The Bavarian Science Alliance for Peace, Conflict and Security Research (FoKS) successfully held its first Fellow Assembly at the University of Philosophy in Munich on February 13th and 14th, 2024. At least 55 of 80 fellows came to this important event to discuss the basic principles of the alliance, central research topics and cooperation opportunities. Those present also included professors from the University of Passau, who took an active part in the debates. Among the panelists were experts such as Branka Panic from AI for Peace and Prof. Dr. Carlo Masala from the University of the Bundeswehr Munich, who acts as a FoKS fellow. In addition, Prof. Dr. Stephan Stetter (also University of the Bundeswehr), Prof. Dr. Katrin Kinzelbach from the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and Dr. Max Smeets from the Center for Security Studies at ETH Zurich contributed to the diversity of perspectives.

The alliance has set itself the goal of pooling scientific expertise from Bavaria in order to conduct interdisciplinary research into issues relevant to peace, security and conflict strategies. The aim is to strengthen democratic and rights-based structures in order to be able to meet the challenges of global security policy. The University of Passau has been a member of this alliance since 2024 and provides numerous fellows, including Prof. Dr. Florian Töpfl and Dr. Soren Keil. These structural changes mark a crucial step towards creating a platform for comprehensive peace, security and conflict research in the region.

Side event at the Munich Security Conference

An additional highlight of the alliance was a side event at the Munich Security Conference (MSC). Under the title “Pushing the Frontier: Assessing the Opportunities and Risks of AI for Peace and War,” experts discussed the opportunities and challenges that artificial intelligence brings with it for peace and war. Prof. Dr. Jan Hendrik Schumann, Vice President of the University of Passau, represented the President of the University, Prof. Dr. Ulrich Bartosch, and emphasized the need for scientific expertise in the development of peaceful conflict resolution strategies.

In addition to these activities, the University of Passau was also present at the events through several representatives, including Prof. Dr. Bernhard Stahl and Prof. Dr. Wolfram Schaffar. The alliance plans to further intensify its work in the coming months and initiate new interdisciplinary research projects that address pressing issues in peace and conflict research.

Science · Peace · Security ’23

Parallel to the development of the Bavarian Science Alliance, the Science · Peace · Security ’23 conference took place from September 20th to 22nd, 2023 in the Georg-Christoph-Lichtenberg-Haus at the Technical University of Darmstadt. This conference dealt intensively with the changing technologies and their role in wars and conflicts as well as arms control. The organizers were the TraCe research association, the DFG special research center CROSSING and the research association Natural Science, Disarmament and International Security (FONAS).

The conference, which has been running since 2019, attracted over 110 participants from various countries, including speakers from the UK, Sweden and the USA. Important topics covered were artificial intelligence, unmanned weapon systems and ethical issues in the context of modern technologies. Russia's war against Ukraine also highlighted the relevance of peace and conflict research. This background emphasizes the need to work on solutions in an interdisciplinary manner and to develop suitable research approaches.

A central concern of peace research is dealing with violence. Studies show that peaceful countries have established democratic structures in which violence and discrimination are prohibited by law. This is supported by findings highlighting the urgent need to combat violence in child-rearing and legislation for equal rights for women. Sustainable peace will only be achieved if non-violent education, equality initiatives and the fight against discrimination are actively promoted. If you study the context, it becomes clear that creating a non-violent culture in society is crucial.

Overall, the latest developments of the Bavarian Science Alliance, together with the results of the Science · Peace · Security ’23 conference, illustrate the urgency of promoting interdisciplinary exchange and innovative research. Those responsible are committed to continuing this process and encourage all actors to participate in this important dialogue for peace and security.

While the dispute over global security policy challenges continues, one thing remains clear: the time for clear and decisive scientific approaches has come. The coming months will be crucial for how these concepts are put into practice and in what form interdisciplinary exchange can lay the foundation for more peaceful coexistence.