A training course organised by the Royal Higher Institute for Defence with the support of the Royal Institute for International Relations – Egmont
Seminars: dates 2026-2027
1st Sem 11-12 September 2026: Fundamental principles
2nd Sem 16-17 October 2026: Grand Strategy
3rd Sem 20-21 November 2026: Hybrid Warfare & Technology
4th Sem 11-12 December 2026: Geo-economics
5th Sem 22-23 January 2027: Global Trends
6th Sem 19-20 February 2027: Regional Theme 1: Europe
7th Sem 19-20 March 2027: Regional Theme 2: MENA Region
8th Sem 23-24 April 2027: Regional Theme 3: Sub-Saharan Africa
9th Sem 21-22 May 2027: Regional Theme 4: Asia (incl. Russia)
10th Sem 18-19 June 2027: 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 | Mrs. Els ROES | els.roes@vsse.be |
Selection process
Apply via the link on this website →
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 2025.
Deadline for applications: 15 December 2025 at 11.59 p.m.
Selection interviews: from October 2025 to February 2026. The selection is made by the HSSD executive committee by the end of April 2026.
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 2024–2025 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