Since 1936, IHEDN has been concerned with the defence of the nation and the collective phenomena that threaten the community, our sovereignty and our security. The IHEDN brings together civilians and military personnel to develop a community of thought, doctrine and action. In 1936, it was necessary to get the military to work together, on a joint basis, but also to bring together civilians and military personnel to prepare for a war that everyone foresaw as total. This project is as relevant today as it was then, at a time when we are witnessing a rapid and lasting deterioration in the strategic context. National defence is the defence of the nation by the nation. This year, 264 auditors were appointed in the Official Journal by the Prime Minister, Elisabeth Borne: civilian and military civil servants, business leaders, academics, elected politicians, and leading figures from the press and trade unions. The national session provides an opportunity for collective, interdepartmental and intersectoral reflection on the many defence issues of the day.
The course is structured around 3 activities:
- conferences and debates to analyse, discuss and understand,
- committee work for collegial reflection,
- study visits and missions to immerse yourself in real-life experiences.
Auditors follow a common core curriculum and must choose a speciality from the 5 majors:
- Armaments and defence economics to understand the defence industry sector,
- defence and economic security to understand this new field of conflict...
- maritime issues and strategies to understand this dimension of defence,
- defence policy to understand strategic and military challenges,
- digital sovereignty and cybersecurity, to understand this new challenge to national defence.
To obtain their certification, auditors must submit an individual summary report, a collective report and an individual recommendation report.
Lieutenant General Benoît Durieux, Director of IHEDN, opened the national session.
"The context today has changed (...) the optimism that prevailed after the end of the Cold War has gradually disappeared. Your session will undoubtedly be marked by this event and by the war in Ukraine, which continues as we speak. However, we should not forget that the strategic scene is not limited to Ukraine.
- The new ruggedness of relations between states (...) China has for several years been very active militarily, leading it to territorialise the sea. Other states are behaving in worrying ways, particularly in the Middle East and Libya.
- Anarchy is sweeping across entire regions: on our doorstep, the absence of government and the rule of law is giving way to the development of terrorist movements and trafficking of all kinds, against which we are powerless.
- In Europe and overseas, other dangers are emerging, linked to the systemic fragility of our societies, the questioning by some of the democratic system, the upheavals linked to natural disasters and global warming.
Sylvie Bermann, French Ambassador and Chair of the IHEDN Board of Directors, addressed the audience.
"Last year, we were only talking about pandemics. Today, we're talking about war... We live in a changing world. So together we have to think the unthinkable!
Army Chief of Staff General Thierry Burkhard joined us after lunch to welcome the new session.
"IHEDN disseminates and promotes the spirit of defence. It is a factor of superiority for our armed forces. (...) You will be its ambassadors this year.
