The Chief of the Defence delivers the keynote address at the opening of the academic year at the Higher Centre for National Defence Studies

• The Minister of Defence, Margarita Robles, presided over the ceremony, accompanied by the director of CESEDEN, amongst other officials

The Higher Centre for National Defence Studies (CESEDEN) today held the formal opening ceremony for its 2026–2027 academic year, presided over by the Minister of Defence, Margarita Robles.

The ceremony, held in the Aula Magna at CESEDEN, was attended by the Chief of the Defence (JEMAD), Admiral General Teodoro E. López Calderón, who delivered the keynote address. Also present were the Director of CESEDEN, Lieutenant General Miguel Ballenilla y García de Gamarra, and other civilian and military officials.

The opening ceremony began with the presentation of the annual report for the 2025–2026 academic year, followed by a keynote address by the Chief of the General entitled ‘The Council of State and the Armed Forces in the 21st Century’.

The year 2026 marks the 500th anniversary of the Spanish Council of State, making this institution one of the most long-standing and well-established bodies not only in Spain but throughout Europe.

The director of CESEDEN then addressed the audience before the Minister of Defence officially declared the 2026–2027 academic year open.

A NEW TRAINING AND STRATEGIC THINKING COURSE

The start of the academic year marks the beginning of a new period of teaching activity at CESEDEN, the leading joint military training centre, where training and study in the field of security and defence bring together civilian and military professionals, both from Spain and from allied and friendly nations.

Among the courses taking place during this period is the 28th Armed Forces General Staff Course (CEMFAS), comprising 149 students: 119 from Spain and 30 from 21 allied and friendly countries.

In addition to these are the 21 Spanish students on the 3rd Advanced Course in Defence Intelligence (CAEID), currently in its distance-learning phase; the 35 students on the 30th Advanced Human Resources Management Course; the 35 on the 20th Advanced Infrastructure and Asset Management Course; and the 35 on the 5th Advanced Administrative and Organisational Management Course (CALGAO).

These five courses bring together 275 students, reflecting an academic programme focused on advanced training, analysis and knowledge in fields related to security, defence and resource management.

TRAINING FOR SECURITY AND DEFENCE CHALLENGES

CESEDEN carries out teaching, research, analysis and outreach activities relating to security and defence, whilst also promoting the exchange of knowledge and experience amongst professionals from different fields and nationalities.

The presence of 30 foreign students from 21 countries at the 28th CEMFAS further reinforces the international dimension of a training programme in which representatives from allied and friendly nations take part alongside domestic students.

With the start of the 2026–2027 academic year, CESEDEN is launching a new programme dedicated to training, knowledge and strategic reflection in the face of current security and defence challenges.