What is societal security? – The first of three NEEDS Intensive Study Programmes on societal security

The primary objective of the ISP was to gather valuable input for the development of an online course as part of the NEEDS project. A total of 25 students from five Higher Education Institutes (HEI)*, were invited to actively participate, sharing their insights and contributing to the overall understanding of societal security as an objective. The teaching staff comprised members of the project consortium, alongside practitioners and experts from organisations such as Hamburg Fire and Rescue Service (HFRS) HFRS and the Union of the Baltic Cities (UBC).

The NEEDS ISPs serve as intensive study weeks where students have the opportunity to engage with practitioners. Although the pandemic necessitated an online format for this first ISP, it remained an immersive week of intensive study on societal security. Students were able to interact with experts, professors, and fellow students from across the Baltic Sea Region (BSR), delving into a wide range of topics, including the evolving nature of societal security, bridging theory and practice in the field, cultural diversity of the BSR countries, and perspectives from expert practitioners.

Throughout the program, students participated in various sessions that involved presentations, case study analyses, Q&A sessions, group discussions, and reporting rounds. These activities fostered a deep understanding of societal security while providing a platform for practical skill development. The topics included: What is societal security and where is it heading?, Challenges and needs in societal security – from theory to practice, BSR tour – experience and diversity of our countries, Building skills and knowledge of societal security professionals, Closing the circle – lessons learnt and ways forward.

The one week-long ISP allowed students to network with practitioners from the field and gain valuable insights and learn skills for their future careers. In addition, students played an active role in shaping the skills and needs within the field, thereby contributing to the long-term development of societal security studies.

The core objective of the ISPs is to bridge the gap between societal security education and the actual demands of the field. By bringing together students and experts, including academia and practitioners, the NEEDS project aims to enhance mutual understanding and exchange. The ultimate goal is to propose improvements and advancements for the future of societal security education.

For more information about the NEEDS project, visit our project subpage.

*  Laurea University of Applied Sciences, Main School of Fire (MSFS) Poland, Riga Technical University (RTU), Swedish Defence University (SEDU), Arctic University Norway – University in Tromso (UiT).