REACT launches its 30th edition in Alfaz del Pi, consolidating its position as one of the leading international programs in peacebuilding.
This Monday, May 25, the opening ceremony of the REACT course (Rapid Expert Assistance and Cooperation Teams) took place in El Albir, Alfaz del Pi (Alicante). Organized by Helsinki España, REACT is an international training program specialized in peacebuilding, humanitarian action, crisis response, and international missions.
The opening ceremony brought together representatives from local institutions and the organizing team, including:
- Ms. Isabel María Muñoz Llorens, Councilor for Cooperation and Volunteering of the Municipality of l’Alfàs del Pi;
- Ms. Martine Mertens, Councilor for Residents of Other Nationalities of the Municipality of l’Alfàs del Pi;
- Ms. Beatriz Boris, Director of the International University Centre for Peace Missions (IUCPM);
- Ms. María Jaén Barandiarán, President of Helsinki España, who officially welcomed the participants on behalf of the organizing team.
During the inauguration, speakers highlighted the growing importance of specialized training in a global context increasingly affected by armed conflicts, humanitarian crises, forced displacement, organized violence, and instability.
The Municipality of l’Alfàs del Pi welcomed the international participants and reaffirmed its commitment to initiatives that promote peace, coexistence, and intercultural understanding. Participants were also encouraged to explore the municipality and enjoy its natural surroundings, taking advantage of their free time to discover its coastline, beaches, and the trails of the natural park.
María Jaén Barandiarán, President of Helsinki España, thanked the Municipality of l’Alfàs del Pi for its continued institutional support and hospitality in hosting the course, as well as the collaboration of the Spanish Ministry of Defense and Fundación Carolina for their longstanding support of the program. She also acknowledged the commitment of the participants, who have chosen to dedicate their professional careers to humanitarian response, international cooperation, peacebuilding, and human rights.
REACT is the flagship international training program of Helsinki España: a comprehensive and intensive 220-hour residential training program focused on conflict prevention, crisis management, civilian protection, international humanitarian law, and post-conflict rehabilitation. The program waslaunched in 2003 following OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) guidelines aimed at strengthening the rapid deployment of trained civilian experts to international peace missions and humanitarian operations. The program has received the support of the United Nations and the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation.
Now celebrating its 30th edition, REACT has become a consolidated and internationally recognized training program in the fields of peacebuilding and humanitarian action. Over the last two decades, more than 600 professionals from over 70 countries have participated in the program, many of whom now work with organizations such as the United Nations, the OSCE, the European Union, the Red Cross, governmental agencies, armed forces, and international NGOs operating in conflict and crisis settings worldwide.
REACT 2026 runs from May 25 to June 26 and brings together participants from 10 different nationalities, including Panama, Mexico, Cameroon, Syria, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Uganda. The faculty is composed of more than 25 lecturers and instructors from 10 different nationalities, bringing together extensive international experience in peace operations, humanitarian coordination, mediation, human rights, and security training.
Participants come from diverse professional backgrounds including humanitarian organizations, armed forces, public institutions, governmental agencies, international organizations, and consultancies. This multidisciplinary composition is one of the key strengths of the program, fostering cooperation and exchange between civilian and military perspectives in international missions.
REACT is characterized by its highly practical methodology. Throughout the five weeks of training, participants work on real conflicts and humanitarian scenarios through simulations, case studies, role-playing exercises, negotiation dynamics, and field-security training. Key topics addressed include conflict analysis and prevention, civilian protection, international humanitarian law and human rights, peacebuilding, disarmament and reintegration processes, organized crime, disinformation and radicalization, gender perspective, and stress management in hostile environments.
The course will conclude with an intensive practical field week based on the HEAT (Hostile Environment Awareness Training) methodology, designed to prepare participants to operate safely, effectively, and professionally in high-risk environments.
At a time when the international community faces increasingly complex humanitarian and security challenges, REACT continues to strengthen an international network of professionals committed to peace, human dignity, and international cooperation. Through this initiative, Helsinki España reaffirms its commitment to training the next generation of experts capable of responding rapidly and effectively to crises and peace operations around the world.
For three decades, REACT has served not only as a training course, but also as a meeting point for professionals committed to dialogue, protection of civilians, and sustainable peace. The 30th edition of the program represents a milestone in Helsinki España’s continued effort to promote professional, practical, and internationally oriented peace training.