The Schiller Institute convened an international conference in Berlin May 30-31, whose opening session today was described by the participants from many nations, as “inspiring,” given the danger and depravity around us. Over the course of the full, two-day event, panelists from 15 nations, with experience and skills in international relations, economics, science, and the arts, spoke in three sessions. A concert featured music and poetry presented from various cultures and nations. Some 150 attendees came from nations throughout Europe, including students from Africa and other continents.
Panel One, titled as the headline above, was opened by Helga Zepp-LaRouche, President of the Schiller Institute-Germany, and Editor-in-Chief of the EIR. Spokesmen followed from China, Italy, the United States, India and Germany. Zepp-LaRouche’s watchword, “We Will Not Let European Civilization Go Under!” struck the note of passion and commitment then seen in the following remarks by each of the speakers from other lands. Several expressed appreciation for the role of this forum to provide the ideas needed.
“We are in a reverse Cuban missile crisis” right now, was Zepp-LaRouche’s opening evaluation, stressing that we are close to world war breaking out, from the proxy war NATO is conducting through Ukraine against Russia. She recounted the history leading up to this crisis, including how NATO went eastward over recent years, despite the pledge not to do so. Now we are in a crisis situation in which the European Coalition of the Willing is disrupting any efforts for peace coming from Russia, and even the United States. Meanwhile, other confrontations continue. She pointed to the policy conflict of the United States and China. The unipolar order, she asserted, requires, by definition, waging wars and maintaining enemies. She closed with an appeal: the United States and Europe must rediscover their souls.
Zhang Weiwei from China, Director of the China institute at Fudan University, and a nationally prominent commentator, put forward the principle that inclusion of all nations is a prerequisite for a shared future for the world. Under the topic, “Building a Profitable Multipolar World Order,” He discussed the concept of “win-win” in terms of improving world governance, using specifics of China working with ASEAN nations. It requires cooperation and neutrality. In line with the dialogue approach of the conference, he stressed that for there to be “a transformative era, it requires transformative ideas.”
Pino Arlacchi from Italy, a professor and former UN Deputy Secretary General, addressed how essential is the role of the United Nations, confirming that the UN needs updating to reflect the reality and interest of the Global Majority. His topic was, “Are We Sure that the Coming Economic Storm Will Be Global?”
Chas Freeman from the United States, scholar and former U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, gave an eloquent presentation, via video, with hard words for his home country, under the general rubric, “The Birth, Death, and Prospective Rebirth of the World Order.” Putting it bluntly, he said that when things don’t go well, nations become “monsters.” He analyzed the United States from that viewpoint. Over the last 500 years of European civilization, despite positive moments such as the heritage of the Peace of Westphalia (1648), we can see devolution. At present the United States is isolated and locked into the philosophy that “might makes right.” The cure? There have to be the right ideas, and these ideas must become action. Freeman raised such ideas, including, for example, the necessity to curb finance capital. He explicitly said that this weekend’s forum can provide the needed ideas.
Sanjay Tripathi from India, former senior official in the ministries of India, also addressed key points of foreign relations, under the topic, “The Urgent Need for a New Global Security.”
Wolfgang Bittner from Germany, scholar and author, explicitly endorsed Zepp-LaRouche’s call for “a new security architecture,” and thoroughly discussed many aspects of the status of Germany, under the topic, “Sovereignty, Neutrality, and Culture.” Germany is not sovereign at this time, Dr. Bittner stated. He volunteered that in the grim German situation right now, he gets hope from the kind of interchange at the Schiller Institute’s forum.
Let us act together on the common idea that we must change others, change ourselves, and change culture. Zepp-LaRouche summed up the opening dialogue, as having “uplifted” everyone.
