The European Security and Defence College (ESDC) was established on 18 July 2005 with the adoption of Council Joint Action 2005/575/CFSP and repealing Council Joint Action 2008/550/CFSP of 23 June 2008.

On 21 December 2007, pursuant to Article 13 of Joint Action 2005/575/CFSP, the Steering Committee presented a report on the activities and perspectives of the ESDC with a view to a revision of the Joint Action.

The Council noted, notably, that the Council Secretariat will for the time being continue to act as the ESDC Secretariat.

The ESDC is organised as a network between national institutes, colleges, academies and institutions within the EU dealing with security and defence policy issues and the the EU Institute for Security Studies (EU ISS).

The ESDC's mission and objectives are to provide training in the field of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSPD) at the strategic level in order to:
  • develop and promote a common understanding of CSDP among civilian and military personnel;
  • identify and disseminate, through its training activities, best practice in relation to various CSDPissues;
  • further enhance the European security culture within CSDP;
  • provide EU instances, Member States' administrations and staff with knowledgeable personnel familiar with EU policies, institutions and procedures; and
  • help promote professional relations and contacts among training participants.


In brief, the ESDC is a key training actor providing training in the field of CSDP with a special focus on CSDP training courses at strategic level. As such, it is an active partner in the overall EU training management.

A three-tier structure has been established to carry out the tasks of the ESDC.

  • Steering Committee, composed of one representative of each Member State and chaired by the Member State holding the Presidency. Basically, this body is responsible for the overall coordination and guidance including the establishment of the annual academic programme of the College.
  • an Executive Academic Board, composed of senior representatives from the EU ISS and the national institutes actively engaged in the conduct of the training activities;
  • a Permanent Secretariat which in particular assists the Steering Committee and the Executive Board.

 

On 29th September 2010 for the occasion of its 5th Anniversary the ESDC honorary fellowships have been awarded to Javier Solana, former EU HighRepresentative for Foreign and Security Policy, and to Karl von Wogau, former Chairperson of the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Security and Defence.

 

For more information please refer to the website.