Ewald von Kleist Award & McCain Dissertation Award 2025

The MSC, represented by its chairman Ambassador Christoph Heusgen, will present the Ewald von Kleist Award 2025 to Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, in deep appreciation of her efforts to rally support for Ukraine after Russia’s full-scale invasion, recognizing her as resilient and widely respected leader and staunch defender of the rule of law.

Ambassador Heusgen: "After Russia‘s full scale invasion of Ukraine, Kaja Kallas stood tall and provided essential leadership in rallying support for the oppressed people of a country facing extinction. Kaja Kallas made a significant contribution to unite the European people in their opposition against a ruthless dictatorship – just as Ewald von Kleist was a key part of the German resistance against the Nazi regime. As the first former Prime Minister in the office of the EU‘s Common Foreign and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas has used these early days to build a reputation as an impressive, resilient and widely recognized leader and staunch defender of the rule of the law. Kaja Kallas provides Europe – at a time when it is urgently needed – with a strong voice that is respected on a global scale. With this award, we applaud her vision and dedication and want to honor her outstanding achievements.”

The award will be presented at the invitation of Markus Söder, Minister President of the Free State of Bavaria, on Saturday, February 15, 2025 from 7:30 p.m. at the Munich Residence.

Media representatives can take part in selected agenda items, including the entry of the award winners in the Bavarian State Government guest book with press statements, guest arrivals, start of the dinner, selected speeches and the official award ceremony. 

Media representatives require a media accreditation for the MSC 2025 as well as an accreditation of the Bavarian State Chancellery's media liaison office.

Interested media representatives should contact the State Chancellery by Tuesday, 11 February 2025, noon, at Medienbetreuung@stk.bayern.de with the following details:

• Surname, first name
• Medium
• Details of the activity (editor, photographer, camera team)
• Copy of the press card valid at the time of the event
• The agenda item you would like to participate in

Accredited media representatives will then receive further information on the event schedule via e-mail.

Ewald von Kleist was the founder and defining personality of the Munich Security Conference. As its patron for over 30 years, Kleist was instrumental in advancing the transatlantic security dialogue and introducing post-war Germany into NATO and the broader Cold War security order. With this award, the Munich Security Conference has been honoring leading personalities in security politics who have made an outstanding contribution to international understanding and conflict resolution since the award's inception in 2009. Recipients have included Helmut Schmidt, Henry Kissinger, Javier Solana, the OSZE, the United Nations, Angela Merkel, Sweden and Finland, John Kerry, and Mia Mottley.

The MSC is proud to award this year’s John McCain Dissertation Award 2025 to Tim Heinkelmann-Wild for his outstanding academic achievements in the field of transatlantic relations. Heinkelmann-Wild’s thesis “After Exit: Alternative Leadership and Institutional Resilience after Hegemonic Withdrawal” examines how international institutions and treaties were affected by US withdrawal. His dissertation and its conclusion that in such cases, European countries have often been able to maintain international cooperation, is of considerable policy importance at the current moment. The jury was profoundly impressed by the thoroughness and depth of his research.

The John McCain Dissertation Award is awarded annually to up to two outstanding doctoral dissertations dealing with an aspect of transatlantic relations. It consists of several components, including participation in Munich Security Conference events and activities, and a prize sum of up to 10,000 euros.