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.
Held between February and March 2026, these sessions took place across five universities in Span, Nebrija University, University of Valencia, Autonomous University of Barcelona, Atlantic University of the Middle, and University of Deusto, bringing together around 250 students. During the sessions, participants had the opportunity to engage with high-level experts, bringing together academia, the military, and diplomacy. They were able to exchange views with figures Colonel José Luis Calvo Albero, Major General Ricardo Esteban, and Sergeant Christian Ricós Sevilla, an expert in terrorism, all of whom contributed to a deeper understanding of the current challenges in international security.
As a final highlight, those who stood out for their participation, through the creation of a reel on the role of Europe in global security, were selected to take part in a unique experience in Brussels, the political heart of Europe, this past April.
Inmersion in international institutions
The trip allowed this group to gain first-hand insight into the main institutions and geopolitical dynamics of the continent. One of the key moments was the visit to NATO, where they held a meeting with Adela Díaz Bernárdez, Deputy Permanent Representative of Spain to the North Atlantic Council, and Jorge Lens Blanco, Deputy Defence Counsellor.
In a confidential setting, the discussion addressed essential issues such as NATO’s current role, Spain’s involvement in the organisation, and the main challenges of global security in an increasingly complex international context. The session provided a realistic and strategic perspective that is difficult to access from an academic environment.
Another key meeting took place at the Permanent Representation of Spain to the European Union. There, the group met with Nuño Santos, Counsellor at the Office of the Permanent Representative of Spain to the EU. Nuño shared his perspective in an open and approachable manner on European security and defence policy, as well as the geopolitical constraints and challenges currently facing the European Union.
Beyond politics: a cultural experience
The trip was not limited to institutional engagement. It also allowed the group to discover the cultural richness of Brussels, exploring its history, diversity, and gastronomy, all of which form part of the broader context in which European political decisions are made.
Youth engaged in the global future
This initiative reflects Helsinki España’s strong commitment to fostering a critical, informed, and active youth in international affairs. By connecting academic learning with real-world experiences in decision-making spaces, the programme contributes to shaping a new generation prepared to face the challenges of global security.
The experience in Brussels has not only been a recognition of the talent and engagement of the students, but also an opportunity to inspire vocations and strengthen the role of youth in building a safer and more cooperative future.
At a moment marked by conflicts such as the war in Ukraine, the crisis in Lebanon, and the growing migratory pressures affecting Europe and, in particular, Spain, the so-called “new world order” occupies the center of the global agenda, as reflected in the recent Munich Security Conference. In this context, it is more necessary than ever to create spaces where young people can understand, analyze, and actively engage with the challenges that will shape the future.
Because a strong society is built not only by institutions, but also by an informed, critical, and committed citizenry.
Five cities, one conversation
Between February and March 2026, Helsinki España organized the cycle of conferences “Youth and Global Security”, held at five universities across Spain:
Universidad Nebrija (Madrid)
Universidad de Valencia (Valencia)
Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona (Barcelona)
Universidad del Atlántico Medio (Las Palmas de Gran Canaria)
Universidad de Deusto (Bilbao)
Approximately 250 students participated in these sessions, engaging with high-level speakers including Colonel José Luis Calvo Albero in Madrid and Major General Ricardo Esteban in the Canary Islands.
Key topics for understanding security today
The cycle covered the main challenges shaping the current global security landscape:
Threats to the security of Spain and Europe
Cognitive warfare and hybrid conflicts
The evolution of terrorism in the international context
The role of major powers such as United States, China, and Russia
The role of the European Union in collective defense
Emerging issues were also explored, such as the impact of new technologies on conflicts, artificial intelligence applied to security, radicalization and the prevention of violent extremism, and the psychology of terror.
Youth: a driving force in global security
A central message of the cycle was the decisive role of youth in building resilient societies. Faced with manipulation, disinformation, or radicalization, young people are not only recipients of risks, they are key agents in generating solutions.
The conferences appealed directly to their civic engagement and responsibility as active citizens, particularly in defending democratic values and combating extremism.
Global security is not only a matter of states—it is also a generational conversation.
Looking towards Europe
As part of the program, five participants have been selected to travel soon to Brussels, where they will visit European institutions and Spain’s Permanent Representation to the EU, reinforcing the practical and experiential dimension of the project.
For several years, Helsinki España has organized conferences and sessions on Security and Defense, aiming to involve youth in strategic and global debates. This commitment continues, and we will keep holding these initiatives to foster critical thinking, active participation, and civic responsibility among new generationss.
Because understanding the world is the first step to transforming it.
