The partnership, formalized in March 2026, strengthens Helsinki España’s network of local partners in Mexico and has already resulted in security training and a session on global security and defence.
Helsinki España and Anáhuac Puebla University, in Mexico, have strengthened their cooperation through the signing, in March 2026, of a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at promoting education, training and positive action in areas such as human rights, peace, conflict resolution and security.
The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between the two institutions to develop training activities, seminars, discussion forums and workshops, as well as to foster links with other international institutions and civil society organizations. Among the areas covered, particular emphasis is placed on security and personal safety training for professionals working in high-risk environments, alongside training in Human Rights, peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
This new partnership represents a further step in Helsinki España’s commitment to strengthening its network of local partners in Mexico and to developing projects and initiatives that contribute to its mission in the country. It also builds on the organization’s previous experience implementing initiatives in Mexico, including Jóvenes para Jóvenes, while opening the door to new areas of cooperation with local institutions.
The partnership began to take shape that same month, when two members of the security staff of Anáhuac Puebla University took part in aHEAT (Hostile Environment Awareness Training) course delivered by Helsinki España.
The training provided participants with practical tools and knowledge aimed at strengthening the preparedness and safety of professionals who may carry out their activities in potentially complex or high-risk environments.
Cooperation continued in April with a session on Global Security and Defence, which provided an opportunity to explore some of the key challenges posed by the current international security environment. The session focused on international security and emerging threats, addressing issues such as hybrid threats, transnational crime, and the processes of recruitment and engagement carried out by criminal organizations, as well as other contemporary security challenges.
The activity provided a valuable space for analysis and reflection on the evolution of the international security environment and on the need to strengthen prevention, awareness and response capabilities in the face of increasingly complex threats.
The cooperation between Helsinki España and Anáhuac Puebla University reflects the shared commitment of both institutions to education and training that enables individuals to address today’s challenges from a comprehensive perspective, grounded in respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms, peace and service.
The Memorandum of Understanding has an initial duration of two years and provides for the development of further activities and projects of mutual interest. The agreement therefore offers a framework for progressively consolidating cooperation between both institutions and for exploring new initiatives in areas related to training, prevention, security, human rights and the human dimension.
For Helsinki España, this partnership forms part of its broader work with universities and local institutions to develop lasting partnerships and bring its projects and expertise closer to communities and professionals in different contexts.
Through this collaboration, Helsinki España continues to expand its network of partners in Mexico, while creating new opportunities to promote knowledge, training and practical tools that contribute to building safer, more resilient and peaceful societies.
The Spanish Ministry of Defence and Helsinki España reinforce their partnership to enhance the safety of professionals working in conflict zones and humanitarian emergencies.
From 22 to 26 June, the Los Alcázares Air Force Base (Murcia, Spain) hosted a new edition of the Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT)course, an intensive five-day programme delivered by the International University Centre for Peace Missions (IUCPM) of Helsinki España, in cooperation with the Spanish Ministry of Defence, under the framework of the collaboration agreement officially published in the Spanish Official State Gazette (BOE).
The HEAT course prepares humanitarian professionals working in armed conflicts, humanitarian crises and disaster response operations, equipping them with the knowledge, practical skills and decision-making capabilities required to operate safely and effectively in high-risk environments.
This edition brought together 12 humanitarian workers, NGO staff and human rights defenders from seven different nationalities, who are currently deployed in countries such as Ethiopia, Mexico and Colombia, among other complex operational contexts.
Civil-Military Cooperation as a Key Component of Humanitarian Preparedness
Conducting the training within an active military installation provides an exceptional level of realism that significantly enhances the learning experience. The military environment enables participants to train under conditions that closely resemble those they may encounter during international humanitarian deployments.
To maximise realism, the course revolves around a simulated humanitarian mission (IMHA). Throughout the five-day exercise, participants are assigned operational roles, including Team Leader, Communications Officer, Logistics Officer and Supply Officer, and work together to plan and execute a complete humanitarian deployment.
The simulation includes mission planning, humanitarian aid delivery, negotiations with local actors, civil-military coordination, security incident management and decision-making under pressure. This immersive methodology allows participants to experience the operational challenges of humanitarian field missions while strengthening teamwork, leadership and coordination skills.
The course also offers a unique opportunity for civilian professionals to work alongside military personnel, reflecting the reality of many international operations where humanitarian organisations and armed forces cooperate to protect civilians, facilitate humanitarian assistance and contribute to stability in crisis-affected areas. This practical approach highlights the importance of civil-military cooperation as an essential element of effective humanitarian action.
A Shared Commitment to Security, Training and Human Rights
This training is made possible through the cooperation agreement between the Spanish Ministry of Defence and Helsinki España, which promotes joint initiatives aimed at fostering a culture of security and defence, as well as specialised training programmes in international cooperation and crisis management.
Within this framework, the Ministry of Defence provides access to the facilities of Los Alcázares Air Force Base for the delivery of the HEAT course, enabling participants to benefit from a highly realistic training environment that would be difficult to replicate elsewhere.
Helsinki España expresses its sincere gratitude to the Spanish Ministry of Defence for its continued commitment to strengthening the preparation of humanitarian professionals and supporting initiatives that contribute to the protection of human rights. This institutional partnership demonstrates how cooperation between public institutions and civil society can enhance the safety, effectiveness and resilience of those working on the front lines of humanitarian emergencies.
Through initiatives such as the HEAT course, Helsinki España and the Spanish Ministry of Defence reaffirm their shared commitment to promoting civil-military cooperation, improving the preparedness of humanitarian personnel and ultimately contributing to the protection of vulnerable populations worldwide.
Imagine you are traveling in another country and get lost, finding yourself on an unfamiliar street when suddenly someone threatens you with a weapon. Every second feels eternal, and you don’t know the best decision to protect yourself. Or consider being at your workplace when, unexpectedly, an intruder enters attempting to rob you at gunpoint. Everything happens in an instant, and the difference between escaping unharmed or getting injured depends on your preparation.
Now imagine it’s nighttime, and you are walking alone through a poorly lit neighborhood with almost deserted streets. Every sound alerts you, and any shadow seems like a potential threat. The sense of vulnerability is real, and knowing how to react in these circumstances can make the difference between controlling the situation or facing an outcome that may affect your physical and emotional well-being.
Beyond human actions, natural phenomena can strike without warning: a sudden earthquake shaking buildings and streets, creating chaos and confusion, or flash floods that sweep through neighborhoods and cut off escape routes, leaving people trapped and disoriented.
In all these situations, security cannot be improvised. Staying calm, applying emergency protocols, making quick decisions, and protecting both your life and those around you are skills learned through specialized training. Every second counts, and every action can make a difference.
HEAT and Security Courses: Preparation for Any Situation
Helsinki España, through the International University Centre for Peace Missions (IUCPM), offers courses designed to prepare participants to act safely in their daily life, during travel, and in professional environments. Instructors combine civilian and military experience and have worked in crisis contexts, natural disasters, and hostile environments. This ensures that the training is practical, realistic, and applicable to any situation, providing participants with the tools they need to act safely and effectively.
HEAT Course (Hostile Environment Awareness Training): an intensive five-day training that prepares participants to act with safety, self-control, and responsibility in risk contexts. Includes ambush simulations, hostage scenarios, tactical first aid, and evasive driving. This course teaches how to make quick and safe decisions when it matters most and maintain calm under high-pressure conditions.
Security and Self-Protection Course: a three-day practical training that teaches personal defense techniques, stress management, evacuation protocols, and emergency first aid. This course helps increase confidence and personal security.
Why YOU Should Train in Security Today
Training in security and HEAT is not just about acquiring techniques: it’s about preparing to protect your own life and that of others, and making the right decisions when it matters most. The benefits are concrete:
Protection of life: knowing emergency protocols and first aid increases the chances of staying safe and helping others.
Reduction of impact in risk contexts: trained participants know how to act quickly, avoiding unnecessary harm and material losses.
Faster and more accurate decision-making: training allows evaluating risks in seconds and choosing the best course of action under pressure.
Stress management in critical moments: learning to maintain calm and emotional control even in chaotic situations.
Confidence and personal security: feeling prepared provides peace of mind and strengthens the ability to face difficult situations without fear.
Training in security and self-protection is an investment in the ability to react, protect yourself, and act effectively when it is most needed.
Training That Transforms
As Jiayue Qian, an international alumna, said: “The HEAT training was an immersive experience. I feel more prepared, both mentally and technically, and I apply every protocol learned in any emergency.”
These courses do more than teach techniques: they develop security awareness, automate responses, and strengthen confidence in emergency scenarios. Every second counts, and preparation can make the difference between maintaining control or facing serious consequences.
Don’t Wait for It to Happen
Every day without training is a lost opportunity to act effectively. Security and self-protection are not just skills: they are decisions that can save lives, protect operations, and ensure personal and professional stability. With Helsinki España’s HEAT training and security programs, participants learn from experts with real field experience, ensuring a practical, realistic, and applicable learning experience.
Training in security is not an expense: it is an investment in your life, your peace of mind and your future.
