Verteidigung der Freiheit – Liberal democracies between self-discovery and self-assertion

What does defending freedom mean today – in times of geopolitical tensions, technological upheaval and social polarisation? On the eve of the 2026 Munich Security Conference, the Münchner Kammerspiele theatre is opening its stage for a major debate on power, morality, security and the future of Europe.

Five perspectives come together: Florence Gaub (futurologist and director of the NATO Defence College), Robert Habeck (former Vice-Chancellor and Minister for Economic Affairs), Mélanie Joly (Canadian Minister of Industry & Innovation, requested), René Obermann (Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Airbus) and Maximilian Wied (Co-Founder & CFO of ARX Robotics) discuss how liberal democracies can reposition and assert themselves: in the face of authoritarian challenges, in dealing with economic dependencies and with regard to disruptive technologies.

The focus will be on the following questions: How can we defend freedom without losing it? What role do business and industry play when security is redefined? How are artificial intelligence, robotics and digital infrastructures changing security policy thinking? What opportunities and risks do technological solutions present? What moral standards does Europe need to remain capable of action? And what are the really good reasons for optimism in 2026?