The rules-based international order of the last 80 years is increasingly disintegrating. The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the US National Security Strategy published in 2025 and the US government's actions and territorial claims, some of which violate international law, underline this problem.

How can Europe remain capable of acting under these conditions? How much economic, technological, military and resource sovereignty is possible and necessary? Above all, what must a security architecture look like that includes not only military defense capability but also information integrity, social cohesion, strategic and fair international cooperation and protection against climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution?

Klaus Welle, visiting professor at the London School of Economics, and Prof. Dr. Joscha Wullweber from the University of Witten/Herdecke will explore these questions.

Klaus Welle was Secretary-General of the European Parliament from March 2009 to December 2022. He is also an alumni of Witten Herdecke University and is now a guest at a [tra:ce] event for the second time. Last year he spoke about Trump and Europe.

Participation is free for everyone.