A training course organised by the Royal Higher Institute for Defence with the support of the Royal Institute for International Relations – Egmont
Seminars: dates 2027-2028
1st Sem 10-11 September 2027: Fundamental principles
2nd Sem 15-16 October 2027: Grand Strategy
3rd Sem 19-20 November 2027: Hybrid Warfare & Technology
4th Sem 17-18 December 2027: Geo-economics
5th Sem 21-22 January 2028: Global Trends
6th Sem 18-19 February 2028: Regional Theme 1: Europe
7th Sem 17-18 March 2028: Regional Theme 2: MENA Region
8th Sem 21-22 April 2028: Regional Theme 3: Sub-Saharan Africa
9th Sem 19-20 May 2028: Regional Theme 4: Asia (incl. Russia)
10th Sem 23-24 June 2028: Recap, conclusions and evaluation
⚠️ Please note:
IF you work for one of the public institutions listed in the table below, you do NOT need to register via the link on this website BUT instead submit your application by email to the email address listed next to your institution. You must include your CV and a motivation letter. Please make sure to put irsd-hsd@mil.be in cc of your email, so that we are aware of your application.
| Departement | Domain director | Email adress |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign affairs | Ambassador William ROELANTS de STAPPERS | formation.opleiding@diplobel.fed.be |
| Home department | Mr Jack HAMANDA | dg.nccn@nccn.fgov.be |
| FPS Justice | Mr Jos DE VOS | Jos.DeVos@igo-ifj.be |
| Integrated police | Mr Paul DEBLAERE | DRP@police.belgium.eu |
| National security | Director of the Training and Development Service | Contact details are available through internal channels |
Selection process
Apply via the link →
Submit your application in the form of a motivation letter
(maximum one A4 page) and a CV by using the online form.
Application open from: 1 September 2026.
Deadline for applications: 15 December 2026 at 11.59 p.m.
Selection interviews: from October 2026 to February 2027. The selection is made by the HSSD executive committee by the end of April 2027.
Contact: irsd-hsd@mil.be
For more information on the training course ‘High Studies for Security and Defence’, click here.
Find all articles about the seminars of the 2025–2026 academic year here.
Practical details
Where? Brussels.
When? From September 2026 to June 2027, once per month from Friday 9 a.m. until Saturday 6 p.m. The auditors are accommodated on site.
Cost price? €3150 (for non-Defence participants).
Use of languages
The auditors use their mother tongue (French or Dutch). The speakers use French, Dutch or English. A more than passive knowledge of these three languages is therefore essential.
Chatham House Rule
The participants must adhere to the non-attribution policy in order to allow everyone, whether participant or speaker, to express his real views.
Session 2025-2026 – Session 2024-2025 – Session 2023-2024 – Session 2022-2023 – Session 2020-2021