The most ambitious course on security and defence in Post-Lockdown - PDF document

The most ambitious course on security and defence in Post-Lockdown Europe.

The Institute for Higher National Defence Studies (IHEDN-FR), the Bundesakademie für Sicherheitspolitik (BAKS - DE), and the Egmont Royal Institute for International Relations (BE) together with the Royal Higher Institute for Defence (IRSD- BE) have the honour of inviting participants for the first European Advanced Strategic Course on Security and Defence , under the aegis of the European Security and Defence College (ESDC). The changing balance between the great powers is altering the strategic environment in which EU external action, including the CFSP and the CSDP, but also trade and investment, is operating. At the same time, the EU is implementing ambitious defence schemes, notably PESCO and the EDF, that require close cooperation between the EU Institutions, the Member States, and industry. Moreover, as Europeans, we need to engage, to debate and to brainstorm about the emergence of a common European defence culture, required to develop a common strategic approach . Thus, this project fits perfectly into the European context and the EU’s ambitions.

The Advanced Strategic Course offers a new format in the context of the ESDC:  In terms of substance: the Advanced Strategic Course addresses the full remit of the EU Global Strategy, of which the CSDP is one of the core policies.  In terms of participants: the Advanced Strategic Course aims at senior and varied audience, including senior people from industry and academia. From this point of view, participants have to be in a key position already (the course is not intended to prepare the senior experts for such a position).  The main focus of the course content is on free discussions and debate , less on presentations and panels. In fact, the Advanced Strategic Course will be neither a course nor a conference but an interactive brainstorming, as well as a “club”, contributing to European strategic culture. The core audience will be top senior managers/members (equivalent to brigadier/general (or equivalent ranks), political and security directors, State secretaries etc.) from defence, security, diplomacy, and industry from all EU Member States and from the EU Institutions: those that will make decisions on and implement strategy. In addition, selected academics will be invited and their work will contribute to the substance and to the image of EU strategy.

 The course is open to both civilian and military personnel from EU Member States, EU institutions/agencies, holding top-level positions (equivalent to brigadier/general or equivalent ranks , State secretaries or equivalent , political and security directors etc.) from defence, security, diplomacy, and industry from all EU Member States and from the EU Institutions. In addition, selected academics will be invited and their work will contribute to the substance and to the image of EU strategy.  EU Member States, EU institutions and EU relevant agencies are invited to nominate a number of 3 or 4 participants from the different areas (military/security/law enforcement, diplomacy and industry). A joint commission (composed of representatives from the organising institutes and the ESDC) will select one representative from each Member state/EU institution and agency, ensuring a balance between the different areas and considering the gender mainstreaming.  Applications from the Member States, EU Institutions and Agencies are to be sent using the dedicated Registration Form. The template document, together with the CV (Europass) of candidates will be submitted to strategic-course@ihedn.fr by designated nominators, no later 29th of June 2020 .  Following the evaluation of the joint commission, a decision will be communicated to each MS/Candidate on the 7 th of July 2020, while the final lists of candidates will be uploaded to ENLIST by ESDC Secretariat`s Training manager. Registration will not be final until confirmed by the ESDC Secretariat and upon completion of the registration form by the nominated participant.  The language regime of the CSDP will apply, i.e. the working languages are French and English. No translation will be provided.  Attendance of the course is mandatory on all days. A certificate will be awarded to those course participants who have completed the full course (all 3 modules).  All costs for travelling, accommodation and catering shall be covered by the sending authorities or by the attenders themselves.  Further detailed information on the course will be forwarded via e-mail directly to the course participants as soon as the attendance list is complete.