Global Perspectives on Peace:
Three Nobel Laureates on Freedom and the Cost of Integrity
On Saturday, 27 June 2026 in the Stadttheater (City Theatre), the "Lindau Nobel Peace Dialogue" brings together Nobel Peace Laureates José Manuel Barroso, Ales Bialiatski, and Seung-soo Han. Serving as the grand prelude to the 75th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, this event sets the stage for the anniversary week connecting around 70 Nobel Laureates with over 600 young scientists from across the globe.
The three Laureates offer distinct viewpoints:
As a powerful voice for civil resistance, Ales Bialiatski brings a deeply personal narrative to the stage. Imprisoned for years due to his unwavering fight for human rights and democracy, his life story underscores the heavy cost – and critical importance – of integrity and resilience, two of the four core themes of this year's Anniversary Meeting.
José Manuel Barroso frames the evening from an institutional standpoint. What responsibility do scientific and academic institutions hold when democratic foundations begin to crumble – both within Europe and globally? Is the EU still equipped to champion these values? In 2012, Barroso accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the European Union – a project whose core mission of international solidarity and shared global responsibility mirrors the Lindau Meetings.
Seung-soo Han, former Prime Minister of South Korea, provides a more global perspective. As President of the General Assembly, he was part of the delegation that accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in 2001 on behalf of the United Nations and its Secretary-General Kofi Annan. He traces the line from the post-war founding vision of the Lindau Meetings to the geopolitical realities of today. As architects of an era that is being reevaluated, both Barroso and Han will have to address the uncomfortable question of whether the UN and the EU have lost their credibility amidst escalating global crises.
Free tickets for the event are available at the theatre box office. They can be reserved by telephone or email: +49 8382 9113 911 | theaterkasse@kultur-lindau.de
About the Speakers
Ales Bialiatski is the founder and long-time leader of Viasna, one of Belarus's most prominent human rights organizations. In 2022, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize alongside the Russian organization Memorial and the Ukrainian Center for Civil Liberties. He has spent extended periods in Belarusian prison for his human rights advocacy.
José Manuel Barroso served as President of the European Commission from 2004 to 2014. In 2012, he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the European Union – which was recognised for over six decades of contributions to the advancement of peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe. Barroso remains a consistent voice at the intersection of science, innovation, and political responsibility in Europe and beyond.
Seung-soo Han oversaw the United Nations General Assembly as President from 2001 to 2002 and led the Republic of Korea as Prime Minister from 2008 to 2009. He continues to be a leading international voice on sustainable development, climate change, and the role of multilateral institutions in safeguarding global stability.
