Content
In an increasingly complex and rapidly shifting global environment, security and defense have become central concerns for Europe. The European Union must navigate a challenging landscape marked by geopolitical realignments, evolving transatlantic relations, heightened human rights considerations, and renewed debates over defense spending. With the return of a Trump administration in the United States, the EU faces an urgent need to reassess its security strategies within NATO and the broader global defense framework.
At the heart of these challenges lies the intricate balance between security imperatives and the protection of human rights. As Europe seeks to strengthen its strategic autonomy, it must also uphold its fundamental commitments to democracy, rule of law, and human rights. The seminar will provide a critical forum to examine these pressing issues, featuring expert insights and in-depth discussions on the future of European security and defense.

Key Topics

• The necessity and implications of increasing defense spending in the EU.
• The European security framework considering the new U.S. administration’s policies.
• The role of human rights in defense strategies and security policies.

Target Audience
The seminar is designed for undergraduate students enrolled in the course "Governance and Public Policies: Challenges and Opportunities within the EU" at Universitat Pompeu Fabra. However, it will also be open to students from related fields such as

Political Science, International Relations, and Global Studies, as well as faculty members and researchers with an interest in European security and defense policies.

Speaker

Coronel Alejandro Rubiella Romañach, Director of the Office of Communication, Press, and Institutional Relations at the General Secretariat of the Inspectorate General of the Army.