Europe’s evolving role in global security
How is the EU transforming from a soft power to a geopolitical actor, and what does this mean for the EU’s partners and global security? On Friday 13 December, a roundtable discussion offers students insights into these evolving dynamics, bridging theory and practice.
The European security landscape is changing rapidly. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has accelerated the EU’s transition into a geopolitical actor, reshaping its relations with member states, candidate countries, partners like Canada and Türkiye, and NATO. These changes are central to the Minor in Global Affairs and the course Peace and Security in Europe, which empower students to critically analyse and engage with today’s security challenges.
On Friday 13 December, a roundtable discussion will bring together high-ranking diplomats and policymakers from the EU’s partner countries to explore these transformations. Part of the course Peace and Security in Europe, this event integrates the Minor’s theoretical and practical elements, enabling students to critically engage with the EU’s evolving role in global security.
Bridging theory and practice
The roundtable highlights the Minor in Global Affairs’ emphasis on connecting academic knowledge to real-world practice. ‘Engaging with diplomats allows students to complement their theoretical understanding with practical insights,’ explains Dr. Seda Gürkan, course coordinator of Peace and Security in Europe. This approach is central to the course Peace and Security in Europe, which provides a unique blend of academic and practical learning opportunities. ‘This interaction equips students with skills and perspectives essential for addressing the complexities of international diplomacy.’
The event also underscores the mission of the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs (FGGA) and ISGA in The Hague. According to Professor Antoaneta Dimitrova, who teaches in the same programme: ‘The round table with ambassadors and other prominent speakers is an example of the Institute’s policy oriented mission in The Hague,’ while Seda Gürkan adds: ‘It engages with international policymakers and gives students first-hand knowledge and access to key debates.’ This focus on bridging policy and academic insights is a hallmark of the Global Affairs Minor, reflected not only in this event but also in all courses within the programme.
The course examines European security institutions such as NATO and the EU, their decision-making processes, their interaction and their responses to challenges like hybrid conflicts and military aggression. Weekly sessions combine lectures, case studies, and exercises designed to deepen students’ understanding of European security and diplomacy.
A world in transition
The roundtable discussion mirrors the course’s focus on the EU’s response to a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape. Hosted by the Institute of Security and Global Affairs (ISGA), it features ambassadors and diplomats from North Macedonia, Switzerland, Türkiye and Canada, who will share perspectives on topics including the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and NATO relations.
Ambassadors and councilors from partner countries have unique insights on these complexities. One important aspect that students can become aware of is the external look at the EU, in a friendly but yet different manner, de-centering the Union and its security concerns. To put it another way, inside the EU we should learn to understand the perspectives of our partners better if we want our views of the war and other key security concerns to be understood.
Seda Gürkan: ‘The challenges Europe faces today require solutions informed by both theory and practice. Through events like this, we prepare students to contribute to global peace and security.’
‘Understanding these perspectives helps students adopt an outside-in approach,’ Seda Gürkan notes. ‘This approach is essential for critically evaluating the EU’s impact on its partners and global security.’
Learning from today’s leaders
For students, the event and several other guest lectures organised within the framework of this course, offer more than theoretical insight. These opportunities provide exposure to the practical realities of policy-making, alliance-building, and diplomacy, fostering skills essential for future careers in international relations. ‘The challenges Europe faces today require solutions informed by both theory and practice,’ Gürkan concludes. ‘Through events like this, we prepare students to contribute to global peace and security.’ Such events are vital to the Global Affairs Minor, embodying ISGA’s mission to deepen students’ understanding of security and enhance their professional growth.
More information
To learn more about the roundtable discussion and join this event, see the full programme and registration details.
More information about the Minor Global Affairs
More information about the course Peace and Security in Europe