Handbook on CSDP. The Common Security and Defence Policy of the European Union. 3rd ed.

The European Security and Defence College (ESDC) was established in 2005, with the aim of providing strategic-level education in European Security and Defence Policy, now Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). It followed thorough need analysis and experimentation phases. The creation of the ESDC was to give the Common Security and Defence Policy a training and education instrument which actively promotes a European security culture.

EU Member States participate in the effort on a voluntary basis. The training audience includes civil servants, diplomats, police officers, and military personnel from the EU Member States and EU institutions involved in CSDP. Partner countries and other international organisations are also invited to participate in some of the ESDC courses. In its first 5 years, the ESDC has developed into a key strategic CSDP training provider.

The ESDC is a network college. Several national universities, academies, colleges and institutes contribute to the success of the ESDC. The network members are well known civilian and military educational and research institutions in Europe.

The objective of the ESDC is to provide Member States and EU Institutions with knowledgeable personnel able to work efficiently on CSDP matters. In pursuing this objective, the College makes a major contribution to a better understanding of CSDP in the overall context of CFSP and to promoting a common European security cultureThe handbook on CSDP gives a comprehensive overview of the state of affairs of the Common Security and Defence Policy of the European Union in 2017. Nine chapters and 35 articles cover the full spectrum of the EU'sCommon Security and Defence Policy. The handbook is designed for 'students' of the European Security and Defence College. 36 authors, half of them coming from the EU institutions, the other half from academia, describe in an open and frank manner the current challenges and possible ways forward.

There are nine main sections:

+ Common Security and Defence Policy
+ Roles and responsibilities
+ CSDP Missions and Operations
+ Evolving security challenges
+ Cross-cutting CSDP issues
+ CFSP Agencies
+ Cooperation and collaboration
+ Capability development
+ Traioning and education

The editor is Jochen Rehrl

• Primary Source

EU: EEAS: European Security and Defence College https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/4369/european-security-and-defence-college-esdc_en

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