Exploring the role of non-violent pressure in politics and civil society
On February 14, 2026, from 7:00 to 10:00 PM in Munich, as part of the 24th International Munich Peace Conference, the discussion “Time to Talk: Sanctions and Boycotts as Tools of Politics and Civil Society” will take place at the Salesianum Tagungshaus. The panel critically examines non-violent forms of political pressure in times of war.
The event, organized by the association Zeit zu reden, invites experts and the public to explore the possibilities and limits of state sanctions and boycotts as instruments to stop human rights violations and breaches of international law, balancing political effectiveness with humanitarian impact.
The panel includes experts in law, economics, and international relations, and is moderated by a journalist and Middle East specialist.
Kristin Helberg (moderator) is a political scientist and journalist who reported from Damascus for seven years on developments in the Middle East for German, Austrian, and Swiss radio programs. She now works in Berlin as an author, Middle East expert, and moderator. She has published books on the Syrian conflict and researched the Syrian diaspora in Germany as a Mercator Foundation fellow.
Dr. Shir Hever is a political economist and director of the Alliance for Justice between Israelis and Palestinians (BIP). He previously coordinated the military embargo for the Boycott National Committee (BNC) and analyzes the economic aspects of the Israeli occupation in the Palestinian territories.
Khaled El Mahmoud is a legal scholar, research assistant in European and international law at the University of Potsdam, and editor of the Völkerrechtsblog, focusing on international law.
Prof. Dr. Isabel Feichtner is a legal scholar specializing in international law, state responsibility, and regulations concerning armed conflict. She works academically and publishes on these topics.
Deborah Feldman is an author and commentator on political and social issues, contributing analyses on cultural and international dynamics in various media and public forums.
The discussion is part of the peace conference program held alongside the Munich Security Conference, providing a critical and pluralistic space rooted in human rights. The panel will explore historical examples of sanctions and boycotts, their implications in different political contexts, and the conditions under which they can help stop crimes against humanity without worsening the suffering of civilian populations.
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
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. Continue
