Security for Whom? Europe's Race for Rare Earth and the Human Cost in Myanmar

We are pleased to announce that we, Global Unit for Human Security Heinrich Böll Foundation, are continuing our partnership with the European Forum Alpbach and will, in collaboration with the Southeast Asia Office of our foundation, host a panel discussion during the Conference Days 2026. 

The session will address Europe’s race for rare earth elements – critical for the green and digital transition as well as the defence sector – which currently rests on supply chains linked to conflict, environmental destruction, and human insecurity, as seen in Myanmar. It will examine the upstream realities of rare earth extraction and seek to identify pathways towards supply chain governance that are committed to upholding human dignity for all.

Speakers:

• Florian Reinold, Director, Southeast Asia Regional Office Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung
• Jiayi Zhou, Senior Researcher, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
• Hkaw Lwi, Executive Director, BRIDGE Myanmar
• Bruno Stagno Ugarte Chief Advocacy Officer, Human Rights Watch
• Moderated by Simon Ilse, the Head of Human Security Unit Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung