On 4 February 2026, at Les Invalides, Julie Benetti, Rector of the Ile-de-France academic region, Lieutenant General Loïc Mizon, Military Governor of Paris, and Prefect Nicolas Basselier, Deputy Director of the IHEDN, signed the «Defence culture and spirit in Ile-de-France higher education» agreement.
In an international context marked by a rapid deterioration in the security environment, the signatories wanted to raise students' awareness of defence and national security issues. This initiative is fully in line with the guidelines of the National Strategic Review 2025, which calls for building a united, resilient France capable of dealing with contemporary crises.
Developing a culture of defence at the heart of the university
The agreement aims to structure long-term cooperation between the armed forces, higher education and the IHEDN in order to :
- develop a spirit and culture of defence among students and teachers; ;
- strengthen citizenship and understanding of contemporary strategic issues ;
- promote the values, missions and professions of the armed forces; ;
- encourage commitment, particularly within the operational reserve.
The rectorat plays a coordinating role with universities and higher education establishments, while the Paris defence and security zone ensures the coherence of the influence of the armed forces in the regions. The IHEDN, for its part, contributes through its teaching expertise and its range of courses, accredited cycles and conferences dedicated to defence issues.
Concrete actions to bring together the armed forces and the academic world
The partnership provides for the implementation of structuring actions:
- organisation of conferences, symposia, seminars and training courses on defence issues; ;
- creation of an academic defence network in the Île-de-France region, in particular around the Defence and Security Education Advisers; ;
- recognition of student commitment through ECTS credits, certificates or recognised diplomas; ;
- support for university initiatives relating to cyber defence, artificial intelligence and strategic research; ;
- bringing academics, students, researchers and the military closer together.
This cooperation will also promote the professional integration of young people, the dissemination of a culture of resilience and the development of the army-nation link within higher education.
Developing enlightened citizens and strengthening national resilience
Through this agreement, the partners are affirming a shared ambition: to place defence at the heart of the Paris Region academic world for the long term.
By raising students' awareness of strategic challenges, promoting commitment and encouraging dialogue between civilian and military institutions, this partnership is helping to train citizens who are aware of contemporary issues and involved in national cohesion.
This is a major step towards strengthening the spirit of defence and preparing future generations for the responsibilities of tomorrow.
