Side Events at the MSC 2026

Each year, the MSC offers the unique opportunity for leading institutions to host an official side event within the framework of our flagship conference in February. Many renowned think tanks, government institutions, civil society organizations and partners from the private sector have made use of this platform, enjoying direct access to an exclusive community of decision-makers and key experts. From traditional defense and security policy, to questions of global order, technological change, sustainability and human security, the MSC is committed to tackling today’s most prominent security challenges. The MSC welcomes side events as enriching elements of the conference program and actively supports their organization and implementation through a dedicated team.

MSC side event formats provide interactive event settings. Previous events have included roundtable discussions, breakfast, lunch or dinner meetings, and tabletop exercises. The MSC is committed to its founding principle, the Munich Rule: We aspire to be as interactive as possible, and we encourage our guests to engage with and learn from each other. As such, we promote innovative event formats that contribute to the open atmosphere that sets us apart.

MSC side event hosts rank among the leading institutions that drive global discussions on international security policy. Previous host organizations come from diverse backgrounds, ranging from international organizations and government agencies, to think tanks, civil society organizations and businesses. While the MSC has transatlantic and European roots, our activities reflect a globalized world and strive to ensure geographic and thematic diversity.

The overall quality of the application, with a clear thematic focus and guiding question(s) is the main selection criterion for MSC side events. Secondly, the MSC considers how the proposed event fits into the overall conference agenda. Following the Munich Rule, a high degree of interactivity is imperative for a successful side event application. At the same time, proven track record and expertise in the thematic area demonstrated by the host organization is a distinct advantage.

The MSC embraces a comprehensive definition of security, encompassing not only traditional national or military security, but the economic, environmental, transatlantic and human dimensions of security. MSC side events should reflect the core themes underlying all MSC activities: Defense, Global Order, Human Security, Sustainability, and Technology.