Event Summary
Munich Security Conference hosts virtual conversation between German and Italian parliamentarians
Together with the Istituto Affari Internazionali, the Munich Security Conference brought together parliamentarians from Italy and Germany for a virtual, intimate discussion on the European Union's response to COVID-19.
On April 27, 2020, the Munich Security Conference (MSC), in collaboration with the Istituto Affari Internazionali, hosted a Digital Conversation between Italian and German parliamentarians on the challenges for European Union action to counter the COVID-19 pandemic. Four parliamentarians from each country came together for a frank, off-the-record discussion. Among other topics, they discussed internal solidarity within the EU regarding public health, economic and financial measures, external solidarity and international cooperation as an element of EU foreign policy, as well as the need for Strategic Communications. The event emphasized the importance of building trust and identifying solutions to overcome the pandemic.
About the "MSC Digital Conversations"
The MSC has acknowledged early on that local health issues have the potential to evolve into full-fledged international security crises. Aware of the need for international action, the MSC partnered with the World Health Organization, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Chatham House, and Merck, to promote the discussion and collaboration between health officials, NGO leaders, security strategists, the private sector, and decision-makers. Within its Human Security Series, the MSC has been organizing events and conferences on health-related challenges since 2016. Moreover, health security has become an integral part of the MSC's annual conference in Munich as well as its Core Group Meetings. Additionally, a chapter in the annual Munich Security Report regularly focuses on health security issues.
The MSC has set itself the task of making the COVID-19 pandemic the focus of its activities for the immediate future. In the coming weeks and months, the MSC will be staging a series of high-level events called "MSC Digital Conversations" to examine the security implications of the COVID-19 pandemic and promote dialogue between high-ranking representatives from government, academia, NGOs, international organizations and the private sector. MSC Digital Conversations are typically small, confidential meetings under Chatham House Rule. Selected events will be open to the public. Several Digital Conversations will take place each month. Questions regarding these and other events can be sent to office@securityconference.de.
