By Dildar Kaya and Maria Butler
The Munich Security Conference (MSC) remains a paradox. It is a gathering where the world’s most powerful figures discuss global crises - yet it often feels like an echo chamber of the same geopolitical gamesmanship that leads to crises in the first place.
This year was intense, at times surreal, dominated by Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine, U.S. - Europe tensions, the imminent German elections, the growing crisis of multilateralism and some rather dangerous speeches from the U.S.
Between the noise of competing narratives, the egos of political and military elites, and the dinosaurs of security thinking, the space for truly transformative solutions is small. But it exists. And in the halls outside the main stage, at side events and networking sessions, you can meet numerous leaders and human rights organizations from Syria, Libya, Palestine, Sudan, Ukraine, and elsewhere, eager to push for different approaches, the inclusion of diverse voices, human rights and human-focused security solutions.
Nobel Women’s Initiative was there too, engaging in critical discussions on Ukraine, Europe's security landscape and the growing pushback on gender issues.
With the spotlight on Ukraine, Oleksandra Matviichuk, head of the Center for Civil Liberties and Nobel Peace Prize laureate reminded us that security is not just about statecraft but about people, about justice, about dignity. As governments and think tanks debated Trumpism, sanctions, and geopolitical positioning, she called for unwavering attention to war crimes, justice for victims, and accountability that does not bend to political convenience.
“We cannot lose the human dimension in political dealings,” she urged, in a space where the human dimension is often the first casualty.
Tawakkol Karman, Nobel Peace Prize laureate from Yemen, called out the hypocrisy and double standards of the West on Gaza and Palestine - highlighting how the same nations that demand accountability in some situations remain complicit in the erasure of Palestinian lives.
As the Munich Security Conference continues to convene the world’s power brokers, it is crucial to remember that real security transcends political agendas and military power. It lies in justice, dignity, and the recognition of human rights for all. Voices like those of Oleksandra Matviichuk and Tawakkol Karman remind us that the pursuit of peace and security must be driven by the stories and rights of the people, not just the geopolitical and military chessboard. True representation means ensuring space for non-institutionalized actors, such as local activists shaping community-led security efforts on the ground. Yet, access for these voices remains limited, and young people continue to be sidelined from meaningful participation in these critical discussions.
Dildar Kaya serves as the Advocacy Coordinator, while Maria Butler is the Executive Director at NWI. Both attended the 2025 Munich Security Conference.
The photo featured on the landing page of this blog post is credited to MSC/Hartmann.