11th & 12th of June | Brussels
Wednesday 11th | 16:30 – 19:00h | SPINELLI 1G2
Thursday 12th | 09:30 – 12:30h | SPINELLI 1G2
Interpretation: TBC
This event is organised in the context of growing global uncertainty, with rising tensions, shifting alliances and increasing focus on security and defence. Eighty years after the end of the Second World War, it is a moment to reflect on the lessons of history and the challenges of today. With this event, we aim to create a space for thoughtful exchange on peace, disarmament and collective security—bringing together policymakers, experts and civil society voices to explore pathways toward a more stable and cooperative future.
STREAMING
PROGRAMME
//FIRST PART – Wednesday 11th | 16:30 – 19:00h
16:30-17:15 | On the 80th Anniversary of Victory: May the Barbarity of Fascism and War Never Return
Moderator: Konstantinos Arvanitis, Member of the European Parliament – The Left.
Guest Speakers:
- Greeting by Alexis Tsipras, former Prime Minister of Greece (Video recording)
- Sokratis Famellos, President of Syriza, Member of the Greek Parliament
- Oezlem Demirel, Member of the European Parliament – The Left
- Maria Grazia Galantino, Professor of Sociology (Sapienza University of Rome/Archivio Disarmo)
- Aida Touma-Sliman, Mk Hadash
17:15-17:30 | Break
17:30-19:00 | The Importance of the struggle for Disarmament and Peace
Moderator: Estrella Galán, Member of the European Parliament – The Left.
Guest Speakers:
- Walter Baier, Communist Party of Austria
- Eleni Mavrou, Member of the Political Bureau of AKEL
- Dr. Luigi Daniele, Associate Professor in International Law University of Molise, Italy
- David Pestieau, Political Director of PTB
20″ | Q&A – Open Discussion
Conclusions: Danilo Della Valle, Member of the European Parliament – The Left.
//SECOND PART – Thursday 12th | 09:30 – 12:30h
09:30-11:00 | No to Warmongering Escalation For Collective Security in Europe
Moderator: Giorgos Georgiou, Member of the European Parliament – The Left.
Guest Speakers:
- Clare Daly, former MEP for Ireland
- Jorge Aires, Retired Major General of Portuguese Army
- Charis Pashias, Secretary General of Cyprus’ Peace Council
- Christophe Wasinski, Professor at the Faculty of Philosophy and Social Sciences of the Université Libre de Bruxelles.
- Willy Meyer, Author of “Common, human and democratic security: an alternative to current defense and security model (2023)”, former MEP for Spain
20″ | Q&A – Open Discussion
11:00-11:15 | Break
11:15-12:30 | “Rights and Social Progress, Not More Money Not for Armaments and War”
Moderator: Marc Botenga, Member of the European Parliament – The Left.
Guest Speakers:
- Jeremy Corbyn, MP for Islington North, former leader of the Labour Party
- João Pimenta Lopes, Former MEP for Portugal
- Patricia Parga Vega, Intal activist & PTB’s MP of the Brussels parliament
- Antonio Maillo, Secretary General of Izquierda Unida
15″ | Q&A – Open Discussion
Conclusions: João Oliveira, Member of the European Parliament – The Left.