1st module of the 15th CSDP High Level Course 2019/2020 “Altiero Spinelli”

The residential part of the 15th CSDP High Level Course (HLC) 2019-2020 ‘Altiero Spinelli’ started with the module in Brussels, jointly organised by The Royal Higher Institute for Defence and the Egmont Institute, between 23 and 27 September 2019. The course consists of four residential modules of one week each, to be held in Brussels, Berlin, Athens and Sofia.

The overall aim of the CSDP High Level Course (HLC) is to prepare selected senior experts from EU Member States, candidate countries and EU institutions for leadership positions in the application and development of CSDP policy, crisis management and capability development, within the wider context of the CFSP, and enable them to cooperate effectively with the various actors in this field. The course aims to broaden participant’ knowledge and understanding of the EU security and defence architecture, the integrated approach to the CSDP as a key tool of the CFSP, current and anticipated policy, missions and operations, as well as to increase their awareness of new threats and other horizontal issues.

69 participants (20 females) have been selected with a background as senior experts from the EU Member States, candidate countries and EU institutions (military and civilians, including diplomats and police officers) who are either working in key positions or have a clear potential to achieve leadership posts, in particular in the field of the CFSP/CSDP.

The first module focused on the CSDP in the overall context of the CFSP. It covered, inter-alia, the relevant articles in the TEU, the EU Global Strategy and subsequent Council conclusions on its implementation, EU policy shaping, decision-making and inter-institutional cooperation in general.

The first module is designed to deepen understanding of how the EU institutions work and interact and what role they play in the CFSP/CSDP, to provide an insight into recent EU strategic-level documents and policies and to broaden understanding of EU decision-making processes at political/strategic level and external action. It familiarizes participants with the EU institutions, the EEAS and relevant EU agencies as well as other organisations/structures located in Brussels.