On 18 February 2020, the European Organisation of Military Associations and Trade Unions (EUROMIL), together with Kangaroo Group, co-hosted a lunch debate on “Military Erasmus: an Enabler for further Defence Cooperation” at the European Parliament in Brussels.

While enhancing the interoperability of the armed forces of EU Member States is recognised as a necessity, too little attention is devoted to staff needs in this respect. However, programmes such as the European initiative for the exchange of young officers, commonly known as “EMILYO” or “Military Erasmus” are essential to create a common European strategic culture and identity that would ultimately allow military personnel to work more and better together.

The aim of the event was therefore to raise awareness about the “Military Erasmus” initiative and the benefits of exchanges for training and education in the defence sector. The debate also addressed the question how EU Institutions and Member States may better support education and training exchanges among members of the armed forces can.

The discussion was introduced by Emmanuel Jacob, President of EUROMIL and Board Member of the Kangaroo Group, and chaired by Niclas Herbst, MEP and Member of the Kangaroo Group. Distinguished speakers included Dirk Dubois, Head of the European Security and Defence College, Col Harald Gell, Chairman for the “Military Erasmus” Implementation Group, European Security and Defence College, and Symeon Zambas, EU Military Secondary Schools Forum Chairman, European Security and Defence College.

The speakers presented the work of the ESDC, more particularly its “Military Erasmus” initiative, and introduced its latest projects, such as the CSDP Doctoral School, the Sectoral Qualifications Framework Military Officers (SQF-MILOF) and the EU Military Secondary Schools Forum. They highlighted the advantages of mobility for students and teachers brought by the “Military Erasmus” and discussed the necessary means to broaden its reach.

To read more about it, click here.