Understanding international security anno 2024

Over the course of two weeks, 12 trainees from the Ministry of Defence of The Netherlands discussed security topics with eminent experts at Clingendael Academy.  

What are the key trends to monitor in the international and European security domain? What future exists for NATO and collective defence on its 75th anniversary and after Trump’s election in the United States? How are Security Council resolutions negotiated and how do you go about international, multilateral negotiations? What actors and what domains – i.e. economic, cyber, and physical security – will make up our future security paradigm?

By working on two over-arching assignments, the trainees were able to question the core themes and trends in international security in this introductory course. In week one, two groups conducted a deep dive into the ongoing conflicts in Sudan and Armenia, analysing stakeholders, root causes, and policies. The second week continued with a focus on negotiation skills, culminating in an all-day multilateral negotiation simulation linked to a regional case discussed during the course.  

Through the Clingendael Training Method, the trainees expanded their knowledge, sharpened their analytical toolbox, and practiced key skills linked to five core themes: International Organisations and International Law, Conflict Analysis, International Threats, Geopolitical Relations, and International Crisis Management. The course provided a platform for participants to share their knowledge and previous experiences, which greatly enriched the discussions. 

The Academy looks back at a successful programme and anticipates continuing exchanging on these crucial themes with the next cohort of trainees!