On 22 June 2026, the 2025-2026 session of the High Studies for Security and Defence (HSSD) came to a close with an award ceremony for the approximately thirty auditors. The culmination of a year that was rich in learning, exchanging and discovering.

A year built around major security and defence challenges

Since September 2025, the auditors take part in an intensive programme that combines thematic seminars with field visits, in keeping with the multidisciplinary approach that characterises the HSSD. [Defence-institute.be]

The cycle started with a seminar on the fundamental principles, laying the conceptual foundations of strategy, geopolitics and international relations. Soon, the auditors were led to explore key themes in greater depth, such as hybrid warfare and emerging technologies, as well as the dynamics of geoeconomics and global trends.

Over the months, the training addressed the major regional balances, by way of several seminars on Europa, the MENA (Middle East and North Africa) region, Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. This way, auditors gained an advanced understanding of the international strategic environment. [defence-institute.be]

Immersive visits at the heart of the operational reality

In addition to academic seminars, the year was punctuated by multiple visits to key institutions in the security and defence sector.

The auditors were able to discover Belgian military capabilities during the Land Day or visits to the air bases of Melsbroek and Florennes. They also addressed industrial and technological questions during visits to FN Herstal, IMEC and institutions working on innovation.

The political, judicial and memorial aspects were not overlooked, with visits to the NATO headquarters, the court of first instance of East Flanders and the prison of Dendermonde, as well as to the House of European History and the Fort Breendonk. [defence-institute.be]

These experiences enabled auditors to confront the concepts they studied during the seminars with the realities in the field, thereby strengthening their overall understanding of what is at stake.

A final seminar aimed at recapping

The tenth seminar was a key moment of collective reflection. In keeping with the spirit of the HSSD, the auditors revisited the most important lessons learned during this session, cross-compared different perspectives and identified the major challenges of the future when it comes to security and defence.

Through these discussions, a shared observation emerged: the increasing complexity of the strategic environment more than ever requires an integrated approach, bringing together stakeholders from the military, civil, academic and industrial domains.

A forward-looking closing ceremony

The official closing ceremony reunited auditors, speakers, alumni and representatives of the Belgian Defence in an atmosphere that was both solemn and relaxed.

As is the tradition, the ceremony was marked by several speeches highlighting the richness of the journey they accomplished and the importance of the network they built over the past year. The presentation of the certificates was the culmination of the auditors’ commitment and of their investment in this demanding programme.

In line with previous editions, the closing ceremony provided the ideal opportunity to reaffirm the fundamental values of the HSSD: reuniting diverse profiles, encouraging critical thinking and actively contributing to collective security. [defence-institute.be]

A network for facing the challenges of tomorrow

Beyond the knowledge acquired, the 2025-2026 session has above all contributed to reinforcing a unique, interdisciplinary network in Belgium that brings together stakeholders from the public, private and international sectors.

In a constantly evolving international context, the auditors leave with a better understanding of what is at stake, but also with the conviction that future challenges will need to be addressed in a collective, innovative and resilient manner. Applications for the 2027-2028 session will open in September. To stay informed of the launch, we invite you to follow our latest news on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/royal-higher-institute-for-defence