Friday 27 June 2025 was the day for the presidents of the IHEDN auditors' associations. Lieutenant General Hervé de Courrèges, Director of the IHEDN, opened the day with a dense geopolitical overview and reminded the audience that the Institute, more essential than ever, is based on three priorities that are still relevant today: youth, territories and the economy. He expressed his delight at the growing success of the young people's cycles - particularly in the regions and overseas, where he would like to see further development - and paid tribute to the essential role played by the associations in maintaining cooperation with and between the auditors. He praised the essential role played by the associations in maintaining cooperation with and between students. "The associations enable us to extend the work of the institute, they maintain links and they cultivate interest in defence issues".
The President of Union-IHEDN, Catherine de La Robertie, looked back over half a century of collective commitment, pointing out that the Union has established itself as "an essential pole in the service of the spirit of defence, to raise awareness of strategic issues among as many people as possible".
Rémi de Fritsch, President of the Jeunes IHEDN, underlined the intense editorial activity of his community, which produced more than 170 publications in nine months, proof of a desire to understand and debate.
Sub-prefect Jean-Michel Delvert, director of the IHEDN's regional and specialised activities department, presented the priorities and development prospects for regional sessions, youth cycles and economic intelligence training courses for the coming year. He noted a steady increase in applications, a sign of civil society's real appetite for strategic thinking and commitment to serving the nation.
Augustin Scalbert, Deputy Head of the Institutional Relations and Communications Department, and Guillaume Lasconjarias, Head of the Studies and Research Department, gave details of the new educational tools available to the associations, while Ambassador Sylvain Berger, Head of the Europe and International Affairs Department, gave an update on international initiatives.
Finally, the highlight of the day was the signing of a charter between General de Courrèges and Catherine de La Robertie, further strengthening the links between IHEDN and Union-IHEDN. The signing took place as part of the Union's anniversary symposium, organised at the Sorbonne on the theme: "From the spirit of defence to commitment".
The aim was to reflect collectively on this concept, which has particular resonance in the current geopolitical context, while at the same time providing an opportunity for students from the different classes to get together and exchange ideas.
The aim of the event was to bring together leading figures from the world of defence and security: presidents of Union-IHEDN member associations, members, former auditors, spouses and associate members, supporters, students and young people interested in these issues.
After a welcome address by Julie Benetti, Rector of the Ile-de-France Academic Region, Rector of the Paris Academy and Chancellor of the Universities of Paris and Ile-de-France, and a speech by Catherine de La Robertie, President of Union-IHEDN, General de Courrèges, Director of the IHEDN, introduced the conference, which opened with a keynote address by Lieutenant General Pierre-Joseph Givre, Director of National Service and Youth at the Ministry of Defence. The day was then divided into three round tables:
- What is the spirit of defence today?
- Ensuring that the spirit of defence is passed on
- Commitment
Finally, a keynote address by Major General François-Xavier Poisbeau, Secretary General of the French National Guard, and a speech by Ambassador Sylvie Bermann, Chair of the IHEDN Board of Directors, brought the anniversary symposium to a close.
In a changing world, the 600 members of the Union have a clear mission: to understand, to commit and to pass on, in order to keep alive the flame of the defence spirit. The IHEDN is delighted with this exemplary and increasingly dynamic support and collaboration, which will continue in the coming years.
