Launch of the 19th session of the High Studies for Security and Defence!

The 19th session of the High Studies for Security and Defence at the RHID is officially underway! As every year, the department High Studies of Defence organises the “4th cycle”, a programme consisting of ten seminars spread throughout the year. These seminars offer participants the opportunity to understand and analyse current security and defence issues.

A promising 2024-2025 edition

This year, the programme welcomes 30 participants: 12 senior officers or civilian defence officials, as well as 18 senior executives or high-ranking civilian officials. These participants come from various professional backgrounds related to security or defence, including public services, civil society, the economic and industrial sectors, the political and academic spheres and international organisations.

High-level presentations for an enriching first seminar

The session was opened by Colonel GS Herman HENDRICKX, MSc Eng (Director of the High Studies of Defence), followed by an in-depth analysis on the situation of public finances in Belgium by Major BAM e.r. Vincent COCHAIN. Our General Director, Flotilla Admiral Baudouin COPPIETERS de GIBSON, MSc Eng, took the floor, emphasising the importance of the 4th cycle in today’s context, a programme he himself attended a few years ago.
The day continued with a presentation on the Belgian Defence as a security actor by Flotilla Admiral (ret.) Georges HEEREN (director of BSDI), followed by a lecture from Professor Sven BISCOP (Egmont Institute / UGent) on the Belgian foreign and defence policy from a historical perspective.
To conclude this first seminar, General Major Bernard PHALEG (ACOS Strat) discussed the role of Defence in the implementation of the National Security Strategy. Then, Professor Michel LIEGEOIS (UCLouvain) explored theoretical approaches to international relations. Finally, General Major Michel Van STRYTHEM (Cyber Command) presented the cyber in Belgium on the issue “threats and resilience”.
This first weekend was extremely enriching for all participants!

Want to join the 4th cycle?

Registrations for the 2025-2026 edition are now open! Do not miss this unique opportunity.

Session 2024-2025