Wüst's peace-prize address Diplomacy, defence and trust

Oct 1

Frohloff opens the 2026 Peace of Westphalia ceremony and introduces NRW Minister-President Hendrik Wüst. In his complete opening address, Wüst recalls the 1648 settlement and argues that lasting peace requires diplomatic perseverance, military strength and trust. He rejects compromise that rewards violent border changes, praises NATO's collective defence and Germany's contribution, cites the Lithuanian brigade and Merz's 5% commitment, and acknowledges unequal allied burdens. He presents socioMovens' cross-border social projects as a source of trust and solidarity. He warns that Russia's war and populists and extremists threaten Europe's values, urges democrats to resist division, and closes by invoking the peace settlement's legal legacy. These are his historical interpretations and political arguments.

At Münster's October 1, 2026 Peace of Westphalia ceremony, socioMovens receives the youth prize for cross-border social engagement and European understanding. Czerny delivers the laudation, Zinkann reads the dated citation, and Ana Novotni, Gábor Reisz and Daria Maria Lung accept for the network and explain their volunteering experiences. Wüst's opening and Zinkann's closing frame that work as trust and peace lived across borders. This is the youth presentation, distinct from NATO's main award.