“It finally needs to be said ‘ok we fucked up in the past, it’s time we get it right now'”says the 32 young Kristina Lunz, activist, author, client advisor and founder of the Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy. She did so in 2018 to advocate for feminism in foreign policy, with the goal of engaging women in international peace processes. Why? Because it’s been proven that peace lasts longer when women and political minorities have a hand in the process.
In February 2019, she was named to Forbes Magazine’s ’30 under 30′ list, and three months later, she was also named to Forbes’ DACH- 30 under 30 list.
Kristina Lunz sees herself first and foremost as an activist. At her young age, she moves the world.
Kristina Lunz is convinced that a world in which diversity not only exists but is actively used to create international peace is a better one. She didn’t make that up, but based it on numerous studies like the one by Jamille Bigio and Rachel Vogelstein, published by the Council on Foreign Relations. In an interview with “IFAIR,” she explained why peace processes are more sustainable when women and other political minorities are involved in negotiations:
“It’s because transition processes, where states come together after years of violence to usher in a new chapter, can only really work if we bring all the realities of people’s lives, experiences, desires and needs to the table. Politics, in the end, can only ever be as good as the people behind making those political decisions are diverse.”
Likewise, she explains there that “there is a connection between equality and sustainable peace: The more patriarchal a society is, the more it destroys the environment. So, the global patriarchal system, which is closely linked to colonialism and capitalism, is clearly linked to the destruction of our livelihoods. This is a security issue. That’s why feminist foreign policy focuses on the concept of human security rather than state security.”
Women make up 50 percent of the world’s population and often suffer the most in armed conflicts. Nevertheless, their official participation in peace processes is often only symbolic and has even declined in recent years. “My tolerance for injustice is close to zero,” says Kristina Lunz, who actively works to eradicate injustice.
In her lectures, she talks about justice and educational equity, Foreign Policy and Feminist Foreign Policy, Feminism and Activism, Leadership, social change, entrepreneurship and courage. Those who listen to her understand why a world without diversity is not an option.
Her clear message is this: No peace without feminism.