IPPNW Bochum | Europe between the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and nuclear armament

In Europe, the two dominant nuclear powers, Russia and the USA, are directly opposed to each other. 90% of all nuclear weapons worldwide are in their hands. Since Russia’s attack on Ukraine, there has been an acute threat of nuclear war. In the past, the EU has campaigned for peace and disarmament. It was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2012 for its role „in transforming Europe from a continent of war to one of peace“ (Nobel Committee 12/10/12). Today, more and more politicians are calling for a warlike approach, including nuclear armament, while de-escalating proposals are branded as unrealistic and dangerous, even if they come from the Pope. The coming months will decide where the EU is heading.

Discuss this existential topic with the speakers who have dedicated their political work to security and disarmament policy. Uta Zapf will be connected online.

Dr Dietmar Köster has been a Member of the European Parliament since 2014. He joined the SPD in 1975 and became involved in the peace movement in the 1980s, including as co-organiser of the Easter Marches Ruhr. In 2001, he completed his doctorate in social sciences at the University of Dortmund. Since his re-election to the European Parliament, Dr Dietmar Köster has been a member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) and the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI), as well as a substitute member of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE).

Uta Zapf was a member of the Bundestag from 1990 to 2013. She is a security policy expert (Defence Committee, Foreign Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Arms Control, Disarmament and Nonproliferation) and was Chair of the Subcommittee from 1998 to 2013, as well as Co-President of PNND (Parliamentarians for Nuclear Disarmament and Nonproliferation). After leaving the Bundestag, she became spokesperson for the One World Forum and the Security and Peace Committee of the Hesse South District of the SPD. She is also a member of the Steering Committee of NoFistUse Global.

Moderation: IPPNW Bochum

An event organised by IPPNW Bochum at the Fritz Bauer Forum.