Conscientious objectors’ choices in the face of states and military structures
On 13 February 2026, as part of the 24th Internationale Münchner Friedenskonferenz, the panel “I Refuse! — Conscientious Objection as Resistance Against the State and the Military” will take place, focusing on conscientious objection as a form of resistance against militarization and war. The event will be open to the public and streamed live, providing an international platform to explore the motivations, challenges, and social and political implications of those who choose to refuse military service.
The panel will feature activists and experts from around the world, bringing diverse perspectives on conscientious objection:
Simon David Dressler, political influencer and co-host of the podcast Aufrechte Demokraten, will highlight the importance of digital civic education for young people, showing how social media platforms and short-form content can be key tools to raise awareness about peace and conscientious objection.
Sofia Orr, Israeli activist and conscientious objector, will share her personal experience of refusing military service, addressing issues such as dehumanization, occupation, and human rights, and demonstrating how conscientious objection can be both a moral and political act.
Yan Kormilitsyn, a refugee from Ukraine and a 3D printing technician, will bring the perspective of refugees and objectors seeking alternatives to participation in violence, emphasizing how objection is also a choice of personal humanity and future-oriented agency.
Timofey Vaskin, a Russian activist for conscientious objectors’ rights, will analyze the topic from a legal perspective, highlighting the challenges faced by those who refuse military service in countries with compulsory conscription and the need for international legal protection.
Franz Nadler, president of Connection e.V., will emphasize the role of international support networks and global solidarity in protecting those who choose nonviolent resistance, with particular attention to legal support and asylum for conscientious objectors.
Katharina Rottmayr‑Czerny, economist and peace activist, will discuss how peace can be financed and sustained through legal and fiscal measures, showing how resources currently allocated to armaments could be redirected toward social justice policies.
The panel will be moderated by Dr. Kerem Schamberger, political scientist and activist, who will connect the personal experiences of objectors with theoretical reflections on nonviolent resistance, human rights, and civil responsibility.
The event promises to be a key moment to understand how conscientious objection can serve as a political and social tool, challenging structures of power, military hierarchies, and the logic of war. Attending in person or via livestream will provide a direct insight into the strategies of peaceful resistance and the stories of those who choose to say “no” to violence.
From 13 to 15 February 2026, the Munich Security Conference (MSC) will once again bring together world leaders, policymakers, diplomats, experts, and representatives of civil society to discuss the most pressing challenges to international security.
On this occasion, Gianluca Costantini will follow the conference through a live illustrated reportage on social networks. Drawing in real time, Costantini will translate key moments, debates, and atmospheres of the MSC into images, offering a visual narrative that runs alongside the political discussion.
His live-drawing practice turns complex geopolitical themes into an immediate and accessible visual language, capturing not only statements and concepts, but also tensions, gestures, and the human dimension of global decision-making.
Through this illustrated live coverage, the Munich Security Conference will be observed from a unique perspective — where art, journalism, and international affairs intersect.
To contact the illustrator: email
Download high-resolution drawings: Link
The drawings of the Munich Security Conference 2025 | Gallery
