European Security Course (ESC) 2026
Examining global and regional security challenges relative to Europe and beyond
Since 1997, the European Security Course (ESC) has been deepening the understanding of peace and security professionals from over 80 countries of the interlinking security policy challenges that impact Europe and the other regions of the world. In 2026, this eight-week course will mark its 30th edition, presenting a unique opportunity to develop a wide-ranging understanding of European security issues in the broader international security context.
The ESC examines current trends and challenges in both hard and soft security, European states’ and the European Union’s interests and impacts, regional security architecture relative to Europe (the EU, NATO, and the OSCE), and key state actors. It also analyses Europe’s interaction with and impact on its neighbours and other regions of the world. To do so, it explores the specific regional security dynamics of the Middle East and North Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, the Americas, and the Asia-Pacific region.
Relevant traditional transnational challenges are explored, as well as less-traditional issues such as migration, climate change, terrorism, outer space security, the Arctic and cyber security.
Additionally, the course places equal importance on the development of course participants’ personal skills and building up a strong community of security professionals.
Learning Objectives
This course offers you a unique opportunity to:
- Analyse how Europe interacts with the world on security issues in a cross-regional perspective
- Enhance your leadership and communication skills within a multicultural environment to increase your effectiveness as a practitioner
- Network with a wide community of security policy professionals
- Grasp how global security trends impact Europe in relation with other regional security dynamics across the world
Modules
Modules 1 to 4 online: 26/01-20/02
- Key Global Security Challenges
- The European Security Architecture
- Wider Europe
- The Middle East and North Africa
Modules 5 to 8 in presence in Geneva : 23/02-20/03
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- The Americas
- Asia and Indo-Pacific
- The future of European Security
Who should attend
Open to mid-career peace and security professionals working in:
- national ministries,
- international organisations,
- non-governmental organisations, and
- civil society organisations.
Candidates must have had exposure to peace and security issues. Serving officers must have completed an advanced military staff course.
Costs
The course is offered free of tuition charges for all participants as part of Switzerland’s contribution to the Partnership for Peace Programme.
Application Deadline: 13 November 2025
Applications in English only
(4 weeks virtual, then 4 weeks in Geneva)
The GCSP reserves the right to modify the dates, mode of delivery and fees of our courses. Sign up to stay informed.
The course draws on the different participants' aggregate experience as well as the presenters' breadth of expertise, creating a one-of-a-kind opportunity to share best practices. It provided insight into the complexity of security risks and threats facing many countries and their implications for regional and global security. If you want to be challenged in honing your leadership and professional skills and immersed in a journey where foreign and security policy is based on human security, the ESC is the finest option.
Still have questions about this course
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