The Department of Public International Law and International Relations at Miguel Hernández University organised, with funding from the General Secretariat for Defense Policy of the Ministry of Defense (Order of 18 July 2025), the XIII Course on Security and Defense: Spain’s role in the defense of Europe.

The activity, coordinated by Prof. Dr Elena Crespo Navarro, UMH Jean Monnet Chair ReinforcEU holder, took place on October 13 and 14, 2025, in classroom 0.7 of the Altabix Building (Elche Campus).

The course consisted of two round tables. The FIRST ROUND TABLE titled Facing security challenges and threats in the current strategic context. Strengthening European Defense was held on Monday, October 13 and featured Prof. Dr. Carlos Jiménez Piernas, Full Professor of Public International Law and International Relations at the University of Alcalá, and Mr. Javier Irazoqui González, diplomat and analyst in the Geopolitics Department of DICOES at the Ministry of Defense. The round table was moderated by Prof. Dr. Elena Crespo Navarro, Associate Professor of Public International Law and International Relations at Miguel Hernández University.

The SECOND ROUND TABLE took place on Tuesday, October 14, under the title Spain’s role in European Union military operations. The panellists included Colonel Fernando Bueno Caballero, Air and Space Force, analyst in the Geopolitics Department of DICOES at the Ministry of Defense, and Captain Navy Rafael Torrecillas del Prado, Naval Commander of Alicante. The round table was moderated by Prof. Dr. Jaume Ferrer Lloret, Full Professor of Public International Law and International Relations at the University of Alicante.

The main goal of the activity was to promote, among civil society, (particularly within the university community), knowledge, debate and reflection on the work of the Spanish Armed Forces and their vital importance in guaranteeing the defense of our country within an international context of peace and security. It also aimed to encourage reflection on the various challenges and threats to security in the current strategic context, the tools available to address them, as well as on the need to enhance shared security by strengthening cooperation and alliances. Additionally, the course sought to raise awareness of the work carried out by Spanish military operations abroad, highlighting their importance in conflict prevention, peacekeeping and peace restoration, and post-conflict stabilization; to improve public understanding of the objectives, functioning and on-the-ground activities of international missions; and to contribute to building a culture of defense by fostering dialogue between representatives of the civil and military administrations and society at large.

The activity was aimed at university students, especially those enrolled in the Degree in Law (full-time and part-time), Double Degree in Law and Business Administration (DADE), Degree in Political Science and Public Management and Degree in Journalism, but also open to students from other degrees less commonly exposed to these topics, such as Psychology, Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Medicine, Engineering, and students over 55 years of age from the University’s ‘Sabiex’ Programme, as well as to faculty members and the general public.

A certificate of attendance was issued to those who attended both round tables and requested it.

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BROCHURE: Brochure XIII UMH Security and Defence Course 2025

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MORE INFORMATION AT: Website Public International Law and International Relations Area/Defense Courses

 

 

Professor Elena Crespo Navarro, Jean Monnet Chair ‘Strengthening the European Union by reinforcing its values (ReinforcEU)’ holder at Miguel Hernández University, participated on October 14, 2025, as moderator of the round table titled ‘Spain’s defense policy in international missions’ within the framework of the XV Course on Security and Defense: The Participation of the Spanish Armed Forces in International Missions, organised by the University Centre for European Studies at the University of Alicante, with funding from the General Secretariat for Defense Policy of the Ministry of Defense and took place on October 14 and 15, 2025, at the Faculty of Law of that University.

See the PROGRAMME XV COURSE ON SECURITY AND DEFENCE UA

 

UMH Professors Elena Crespo Navarro and Rocío M. Pozo Tomás, Jean Monnet ReinforcEU Chair team members, participated on October 6, 2025, in the Global UMH Radio programme, hosted and co-directed by Pablo Aliaga and Pedro Sáez (technical control).

During the programme, we discussed the UMH Jean Monnet Chair (ReinforcEU) and the various activities carried out within its framework, as well as the importance and implications of our country’s membership in the European Union (EU). We also analysed some of the challenges faced by the EU and the opportunities it offers to its citizens, especially to young people.

 

 

The program is available on SPOTIFY

 

UMH Professor Elena Crespo Navarro and Professor Francisco Pascual Vives, from the University of Alcalá and Director of IELAT, both members of the Jean Monnet ReinforcEU Chair team, participated on October 22, 2025, in the international seminar “Relations between Latin America and the European Union in light of the MERCOSUR Agreement”.

The activity was organised within the framework of the I+D+i project PID2023-149020NB-I00, funded by MICIU/AEI /10.13039/501100011033 and by FEDER, EU.

 

 

 

 

LINK TO THE SEMINAR PROGRAMME – MERCOSUR 22 October 2025

 

Professors from the Department of Public International Law and International Relations, and members of the Jean Monnet Chair ReinforcEU, Elena Crespo Navarro, Adela Rodríguez Mañogil and Rocío M. Pozo Tomás, participated in the Introductory Human Rights Training Course, organised by the Ibero-American Institute for Training and Learning of the Organisation of Ibero-American States (OEI), with the module entitled The Right to Equal Treatment and Non-Discrimination.

The module was delivered online throughout September and October 2025.

More information: https://oei.int/cursos/curso-de-formacion-en-derechos-humanos/

Prof. Elena Crespo Navarro visited the Università degli Studi di Firenze in December 2025 as part of the preparatory visit grant under the PRODIC-UMH-2025 Programme (Vice-Rectorate for Internationalisation and Cooperation, UMH).

During her stay, Prof. Crespo Navarro met with Prof. Monica Parodi (Associate Professor of European Union Law at the Department of Legal Sciences, University of Florence) and Prof. Simone Vezzani (Associate Professor of European Union Law at the Department of Law, University of Perugia), both participants in the PRODIC UMH-2025 project: “Inter-university practical seminar: Debates on Artificial Intelligence at the UN General Assembly and the European Parliament”.

The visit enabled the teaching staff to exchange views on the results of the activities already carried out, to coordinate the content and methodological tools to be used in the second phase of the project—which will take place during the second semester of the 2025–26 academic year—and to explore new proposals for activities aimed at strengthening and intensifying collaboration between the respective universities and teaching teams in the future.

APPEARANCE ON RADIO UMH – FRECUENCIA LEGAL 17 December 2025

UMH Professors Elena Crespo Navarro and Rocío M. Pozo Tomás, members of the team at the Jean Monnet Chair ReinforcEU, took part on 17 December 2025 in the Radio UMH programme Fecuencia Legal, alongside its director and presenters: lecturers José Carlos Espigares Huete, Carmen Ortiz del Valle and Carlos Soler Samper.

Professor Rocío M. Pozo Tomás took part in the ‘Legal Clinic’ section, which explains legal terms featured in Street Law (an initiative of the UMH Legal Clinic Chair that compiles and explains various legal concepts in a simple and colloquial manner). The term chosen was ‘international treaty’.

Meanwhile, Professor Elena Crespo Navarro took part in the ‘Legal Discussion’ section, where she spoke with Julio Frutos Rodríguez, a member of the Senior Corps of Civil Servants who, since May 2023, has been posted to the Sub-Directorate-General for Legal Affairs (Directorate-General for the Internal Market of the European Union). The discussion covered such interesting topics as the functions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the EU’s position on the current international stage and the role of the Senior Corps of Civil Servants.

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The Vice-Rectorate for International Relations and Cooperation of Miguel Hernández University and the UMH Jean Monnet Chair ReinforcEU are organising the International Conference “What do you know about the values of the European Union?”

The Conference, coordinated by Professor Elena Crespo Navarro, Associate Professor of Public International Law and International Relations at Miguel Hernández University will take place in the Arenals Building on the Elche Campus on Wednesday, 25 March (Degree Hall) and Thursday, 26 March (Room 0.2).

TARGET AUDIENCE: The event was open to the entire university community, including undergraduate, master’s and PHD students; students enrolled in the AUNEX UMH Programme; Erasmus students; technical, administrative and support staff (PTGAS); teaching and research staff (PDI); and research staff (PI).

OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this event is to provide the university community with foundational knowledge and key elements for reflection on the European Union values: respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law, and respect for human rights. These are values that we are able to enjoy within the European Union. However, in the wider international context, they are not the general rule but rather the exception. Even within the European Union itself, these values are currently facing numerous threats, and there are significant risks associated with their erosion and weakening. It is therefore essential to preserve, protect and strengthen them. To this end, the active involvement of citizens is crucial, especially that of younger generations, who must have access to adequate information and training at a time when disinformation is becoming increasingly widespread.

In addition, the event aims to facilitate intergenerational dialogue and exchange among students from vaious disciplines and different European universities, as well as other members of the university community. The event aims to create a space in which participants can critically analyse, reflect on and debate current issues related to the values of the European Union based on knowledge, tolerance and mutual respect, exchanging different points of view and developing the ability to reach understanding and consensus through dialogue.

STRUCTURE: The event consists of two parts:

• A training seminar in the format of panel discussions, designed to provide the most relevant information and establish the foundations for the subsequent debate. Panelists will play a guiding role by explaining the most important aspects of the main topics. Each panel will be followed by a question-and-answer session and a brief discussion.

• A practical, participatory workshop, in which the leading role is transferred directly and fully to the participants, as it is based on their active involvement. The purpose of the workshop is to consolidate, from a highly practical and dynamic perspective, the knowledge acquired during the panel discussions. Using innovative teaching resources (gamification tools such as Kahoot! and Escape Room activities), participants will review and apply the knowledge acquired while questions and concerns will also be addressed. This will be followed by a debate on two topics selected in advance by the participants, during which students will be expectted to reach a final consensus position.

FACULTY:

– Profa. Dra. Elena Crespo Navarro, Associate Professor of Public International Law and International Relations, Miguel Hernández University (Academic Coordinator).

– Profa. Dra. Laura Aragonés Molina, Assistant Professor of Public International Law and International Relations, University of Alcalá.

– Profa. Alessandra Nasoni, Substitute in Public International Law and International Relations, Miguel Hernández University.

– Profa. Dra. Monica Parodi, Associate Professor of European Union Law, Department of Legal Science, University of Florence.

– Prof. Dr. Francisco Pascual Vives, Full Professor of Public International Law and International Relations, University of Alcalá.

– Profa. Rocío M. Pozo Tomás, Predoctoral Fellow in Public International Law and International Relations, Miguel Hernández University.

– Profa. Adela Rodríguez Mañogil, Assistant in Public International Law and International Relations, Miguel Hernández University.

PROGRAMME:

I.- Training seminar: Panel Discussions, Wednesday, 25 March – Degree Hall, Arenals Building.

4.30 p.m. – Opening of the conference

 4:30 p.m. – Panel 1

Moderator: Elena Crespo Navarro. Associate Professor of Public International Law and International Relations, Miguel Hernández University.

Panelists:

• Elena Crespo Navarro (Miguel Hernández Unniversity): “The European Union: A Union of Values”

• Francisco Pascual Vives, Full Professor of Public International Law and International Relations, University of Alcalá: “The EU and Human Rights”

• Laura E. Aragonés Molina, Lecturer in Public International Law and International Relations, University of Alcalá:  “The Values of Democracy and the Rule of Law”

• Monica Parodi, Associate Professor of European Union Law, University of Florence: “EU Instruments for Promoting Its Values in External Relations: An Overview”

Coffee Break (5:45 p.m.)

6 p.m. – Panel 2

Moderator: Elena Crespo Navarro. Associate Professor Profesora of Public International Law and International Relations, Miguel Hernández University

Panelists:

• Rocío M. Pozo Tomás: Predoctoral Fellow in Public International Law and International Relations, Miguel Hernández University: “The European Union’s Action and Commitment to Equality Between Women and Men”

• Adela Rodríguez Mañogil, Assistant in Public International Law and International Relations, Miguel Hernández University: “The EU in the Face of Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity”

• Alessandra Nasoni: Substitute in Public International Law and International Relations, Miguel Hernández University: “Disinformation, Artificial Intelligence and the Values of the European Union”

II. Participatory Practical Workshop, Thursday, 26 March – Room 0.2, Arenals Building

10:00 a.m. – Part One: GAMIFICATION

Coffee break (11:15 a.m.)

11:30 a.m. – Part Two (11:30 a.m.): DEBATE

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PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE SESSIONS

SHORT VIDEO OF THE SESSIONS