16 October 2026
From November 16 to 18, the European Parliament in Strasbourg will host the fourth edition of the seminar, led by Eurocorps. Over the years, this seminar has become a point of reference for the civilian and military community that works to advance the safeguarding of human security for populations trapped in conflict.
Human security must be a priority in the decision-making process of all military commanders, as their operations can impact the civilian population within the area of operations. Understanding this concept—referred to by NATO as the “Military Contribution to Human Security”—is an essential requirement for all personnel. To ensure that human security remains a priority, safeguards must be implemented to protect the population from the potential negative consequences of any course of action taken during operations.
This is the primary objective of the Eurocorps Human Security Seminar (HSS)—which will hold its fourth edition from November 16 to 18, 2026, at the European Parliament in Strasbourg—: to discuss all these issues with the assistance of recognized subject-matter experts. “Our goal has always been to obtain something tangible upon which we can continue to build. It is not just about exchanging points of view and fostering mutual understanding, but about actually applying the ideas gained to our internal processes—from planning through to execution. This type of outcome is best achieved when participants feel genuinely motivated to work,” notes German Lieutenant Colonel Jakob, who is assigned to the Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) branch of the Eurocorps headquarters and serves as the seminar coordinator.
Initially intended for Eurocorps personnel and featuring contributions from external experts across various fields, the seminar has evolved into a platform for dialogue involving EU institutions, NATO, and other civil and military organizations. This forum serves as an excellent opportunity to strengthen ties within the international, multidisciplinary community—spanning both civilian and military sectors—dedicated to safeguarding human security in any operational environment. Furthermore, it facilitates the exchange of knowledge and experience, enabling military and civilian actors to collaborate effectively during crises.
Given that Eurocorps serves both NATO and the EU, the seminar also addresses the distinct approaches taken by each organization. While NATO has established a clear definition of human security, the EU employs a more complex set of sub-concepts. For its part, LANDCOM—the central command for all NATO land forces, based in Izmir, Turkey—has designated the Eurocorps as a “central node” (following a “hub-and-spoke” model), serving as the primary point of contact for NATO corps regarding military contributions to human security.
Finally, this fourth edition of the seminar will include a tabletop exercise, which will address the integration of human security into the various phases of planning, as well as the simulation, management, and evaluation of the preparations required to ensure maximum protection for the population. As Lieutenant Colonel Kloetzner points out, “The participants—comprising members of Eurocorps, NATO and EU institutions, as well as representatives from international and non-governmental organizations—will be divided into two groups. One working group will focus on planning, while the second group will focus on the execution of an operation. This will be done in collaboration with both military and non-military actors. In doing so, we are linking this goal-oriented approach to the core message: “Know each other before you need each other.”
For more information about the seminar.
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