The Schiller Institute International Conference, held on May 24-25, 2025, convened a diverse group of international speakers to discuss “A Beautiful Vision for Humanity in Times of Great Turbulence.” Moderated by Dennis Speed of The Schiller Institute, the event aimed to catalyze intense discussion and reevaluation among global citizens, proposing a new security and development architecture to navigate the current tumultuous geopolitical landscape.

The conference began with a musical prelude, followed by an excerpt from a 1982 speech by the late Lyndon LaRouche, co-founder of The Schiller Institute. LaRouche’s historical analysis emphasized the foundational principles of the American republic and its intended role in fostering global progress, a theme that resonated throughout the subsequent discussions.

‘There is no problem human creativity can’t solve’

Helga Zepp-LaRouche, founder of The Schiller Institute, delivered the keynote address, asserting her optimistic view of human potential. “We are the creative species,” she stated, emphasizing that “our creative reason is capable of always finding a solution to any problem on a higher plane.” Zepp-LaRouche called for a new paradigm in international relations, moving beyond geopolitical confrontations.

She critiqued the current global disarray, highlighting the regression into barbarism evident in conflicts like Gaza and the war in Ukraine. Zepp-LaRouche pointed to the self-inflicted economic crises in Europe, stemming from sanctions against Russia and “green ideology,” contrasting this with Germany’s post-World War II reconstruction. “Everything that was built up in Germany out of the rubber fields from the end of the Second World War is now being dismantled,” she lamented.

Zepp-LaRouche traced current tensions back to the post-Cold War era, arguing that the “historic chance of German unification was sabotaged through the geopolitical maneuvers of the neocons.” She cited broken promises regarding NATO expansion, referencing declassified documents and former German Foreign Minister Genscher’s “Tutzing formula,” which assured Gorbachev NATO would not extend eastward. “This was the original sin of the post-Cold War order,” she declared, quoting George Kennan’s 1997 critique of NATO expansion as a “tragic mistake.”

She contrasted the West’s approach with China’s economic success and the Belt and Road Initiative, which has lifted millions out of poverty. “If the US and EU declare China to be a systemic rival, the collective west has lost that race already,” Zepp-LaRouche asserted. She urged a shift from geopolitical confrontation to cooperation, invoking Nicholas of Cusa’s concept of harmonious development where each nation’s interest includes the development of all others. “Let us mobilize, therefore, and issue a passionate appeal for the peaceful transformation to a new epoch in human history,” she concluded, outlining a vision of future progress through fusion energy, space exploration, and global development initiatives like the World Land Bridge and the Oasis Plan.

‘The world is today at a precipice’

H.E. Naledi Pandor, former Minister of International Relations and Cooperation for South Africa, described the current “toxic geopolitical environment” negatively affecting human advancement. She highlighted the rise of right-wing populism and chauvinistic nationalism, stating, “These reversals threaten our four decades of broadly peaceful coexistence.” Pandor called for progressive organizations to unite and restore multipolarity, focusing on global challenges like poverty, underdevelopment, and climate change. She praised South Africa’s efforts in bringing the case of Palestine before the International Court of Justice. “It is tragic that we’ve allowed over 18 months of slaughter of the people of Palestine,” she said, urging robust action to restore sanity and create a safer world. Pandor emphasized the growing importance of BRICS countries in changing the world order and focusing on humanity.

‘This multipolar world order is still to come’

Professor Zhang Weiwei from Fudan University, China, observed that while the world is already multipolar in terms of GDP (with BRICS surpassing G7), the “multipolar world order is still to come.” He characterized Russia as a “revolutionary” force seeking to undermine the unipolar order, China as a “reformer” aiming to improve the existing system, and the US under Trump as an “abandoner” looking backward. Professor Zhang presented three positive case studies from Asia: the “win-win” development model of China and ASEAN, China’s Belt and Road Initiative based on “discussing together, building together, benefiting together,” and China’s successful Green Deal, including the Taklamakan Desert Project, which offers a model for initiatives like the Oasis Plan.

‘The interests of the global humanity of the whole is more important than any country’s national interest’

H.E. Donald Ramotar, Former President of Guyana, condemned the “inhumanity of the international socioeconomic system,” particularly evident in the Gaza conflict, which he termed a “genocide.” He argued that the root of global crises is the attempt by imperialist states to maintain dominance and exploitation. Ramotar highlighted the crippling debt burden on Global South nations and the exploitative practices of transnational corporations. He pointed to BRICS as an alternative path, promoting mutually beneficial international relations. He called for a renewed campaign for nuclear abolition and greater organization among democratic, peace-loving forces.

Ambassador Jack Matlock, former US Ambassador to the Soviet Union, reflected on the end of the Cold War, emphasizing it was achieved through negotiation, not victory. He criticized the subsequent expansion of NATO, driven by Eastern European requests but ultimately transforming a defensive alliance into a potential offensive one. “It was not so much the expansion of NATO… What was really sensitive was putting foreign military bases in these countries,” Matlock stated. He described the war in Ukraine as a “tragedy” that “did not have to happen,” noting that stability requires a Ukrainian government willing to live in peace with Russia without threatening foreign bases.

‘Peace is the restrained tolerance of a post-war status quo’

Ambassador Chas Freeman, former US Assistant Secretary of Defense, critiqued the West’s “forever wars” and “fantasy foreign policy.” He argued that the Ukraine war has devastated Ukraine without weakening Russia and that the West lacks a viable peace plan. “An enemy that is unbowed will predictably insist on terms that serve its interests,” Freeman noted, urging the West to address Russia’s long-standing security concerns to achieve peace in Europe.

Scott Ritter, former USMC Intelligence officer and UN Weapons Inspector, delivered a passionate call for dialogue. “Dialogue was the solution,” he asserted, recounting his experiences with arms control and inspections. Regarding Gaza, Ritter provocatively stated, “We who applaud what Hamas did are as responsible for the genocide as those who provide the bombs, because we facilitate it.” He urged finding common cause even with adversaries to save lives, emphasizing, “The answer is dialogue.”

Ray McGovern, former CIA analyst, invoked Bishop Desmond Tutu: “To remain neutral is to be on the side of the oppressor.” He condemned the genocide in Gaza and urged action, referencing German theologian Albrecht Haushofer’s poignant self-reproach for not speaking out sooner against evil.

Ambassador Dmitry Chumakov, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the UN, expressed happiness at hearing “people with common sense.” He highlighted the economic turbulence and the refusal of rich countries to help poorer nations, calling for a multipolar world and an end to “wild capitalism.” He noted that BRICS countries now represent 37% of world GDP, surpassing the G7’s 29%.

The conference also featured a video address from Ju Juti, Associate Research Fellow from the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies, who outlined four major strategic challenges: the peace deficit, development deficit, security deficit, and governance deficit, calling for multilateralism and reform of global governance.

The panel concluded with Helga Zepp-LaRouche reiterating the need for a new global security and development architecture, emphasizing concrete projects like the World Land Bridge and the creation of 3 billion new productive jobs in developing nations as pathways to peace and stability.