The Common Security and Defence Policy
High-Level Course – 2025-2026 session

A benchmark course on European security and defence

The Common Security and Defence Policy High-Level Course, or High-Level Course (HLC), is a course created by the European Security and Defence College (ESDC) and organised, in practice, by the EU Member States.

Each session consists of four one-week modules which are spread out over an academic year. Traditionally, the first module is organised in Brussels – the European capital – by the Royal Higher Institute for Defence (RHID), in collaboration with the Egmont Institute. The other three modules are organised alternately in different EU Member States.

Objectives of the course

The main objective of the HLC is to provide participants with a better understanding of the European Union’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), which is one of the key components of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP). This way, participants broaden their knowledge of both the European security architecture and contemporary threats.

In addition, the course contributes significantly to the development of a European network in the field of security and defence.

The selection process

The HLC consists of some 70 participants from all EU Member States. With regards to the selection of the candidates, the general rule is that each Member State submits two candidates. The group is then rounded out by people who are already taking on an active role in the European institutions.

For Belgium, the Ministry of Defence and the FPS Foreign Affairs each select one candidate.

Organisation of the HLC

The HLC takes place from October to June in four different cities across the EU. Each module spans five days and covers a specific subject matter. The first module focuses on the governance of the CFSP/CSDP and the working of the European institutions.

The other three modules are organised in different EU Member States each year by local training centres.

Below, you will find a summary of the first module of the 2025-2026 session.

Programme of the first module – Governance of the CFSP/CSDP

For this first module, we had the honour of welcoming multiple renowned speakers throughout the week.

  1. Monday 6 October: the day began with a series of introductory presentations on the working of the ESDC, the RHID and the Egmont Institute, as well as on the course’s framework, followed by discussions on the EU’s general strategy. The highpoint of the day was a lecture given by the first permanent President of the European Council, Mr Herman Van Rompuy.
  2. Tuesday 7 October: the participants explored important topics such as the concept of the CSDP, civil and military missions as well as crisis management in the EU.
  3. Wednesday 8 October: an illuminating session on current topics, such as the role of the EU vis-à-vis China and the collaboration between the EU and the UN in the field of peace and security.
  4. Thursday 9 October: the group discussion in the original format of a ‘world café’ proved a pleasant interlude. However, the highlight of the week was probably the impressive lecture given by NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), US Air Force General Alexus Grynkewich.
  5. Friday 10 October: the module concluded with a lecture on the Committee on Security and Defence of the European Parliament.