Technical University of Berlin hosts massive anti‑militarization student congress

Around 2,000 students and activists gathered at the Technical University of Berlin for the youth congress “Take back the future”. Organized by the Socialist‑Democratic Student Association (SDS) and Studis gegen Rechts, the event featured roughly 90 sessions on feminism, fascism, capitalism, the climate crisis and militarisation, with a strong focus on opposing compulsory military service.

Panels such as “We do not want to learn to kill” highlighted the participants’ stance against conscription and the view that war threatens future security. Influencers Simon Dressler and Shmuel Schatz, founder of “School Strike against Conscription”, spoke about building an anti‑draft movement. The university intervened shortly before the start, renaming or relocating some sessions – notably a talk branding politician Björn Höcke a fascist – citing concerns over “restricted freedom of expression” and alleged right‑wing pressure.

Despite the curtailments, the congress proceeded, emphasizing that true security is affordable housing, social protection and education, not military buildup. Organisers called for coordinated political action beyond mere dissent.