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European Security and Defence College

EUMSSF

European Military Secondary Schools Forum

EUMSSF Logo in the middle, EU blue on the left, eu yellow right

About the forum

 

The European Military Secondary Schools Forum (EUMSSF) is a voluntary initiative by EU Member States, inspired by the success of 'Military Erasmus' (EMILYO), to promote shared European values and integrate a European dimension into education from an early age.

Military secondary schools, recognised provide a unique setting to implement this initiative, fostering the potential to inspire advancements in secondary education across the EU.

Operating under the auspices of the ESDC, the Forum seeks to:

  • Connect military secondary schools across Europe;
  • Develop curricula on topics such as EU history and core values, EU institutions, and international military skills camp;
  • Promote a shared security and defence culture;
  • Facilitate the exchange of best practices and build enduring partnerships;
  • Enable trainer and student exchanges to enrich learning experiences; and
  • Advocate for actions that strengthen EU-focused education at the secondary level.

The EUMSSF serves as a platform to equip the next generation with the knowledge and values essential for fostering European unity and cooperation in security and defence.

Facts and Figures

  • European Stars, black and white
    8
    Participating Member States
  • A hexagon with a world in the middle
    2
    Associate Members
  • Icon of a school with a flag on top
    16
    Institutions

Chair and Configuration Support

  • Col Symeon Zambas in uniform of the Cyprus Air Command infront a ESDC and Europe Flag. Light smile
    Chair - Symeon Zambas

    Col Symeon Zambas, a graduate of the Hellenic Air Force Academy, began his career with the Cyprus Air Force in 1993, serving in a range of operational and leadership roles, including as Commander of the Cyprus Air Defence Training Centre. Throughout his career, he has held significant positions within the Cyprus Ministry of Defence, contributing to key initiatives such as the design of the CSDP Olympiad and the direction of multiple European Security and Defence College (ESDC) courses.

    As a Military Training Manager at the ESDC from 2014 to 2020, Colonel Zambas played a pivotal role in advancing the ESDC’s educational programmes. He co-created the CSDP Doctoral School and founded the EU Military Secondary Schools Forum, initiatives that continue to strengthen the integration of education and defence within the European Union.

    Currently, he serves as the head of the Cyprus Security and Defence Academy and supports the ESDC’s mission as Chair of the Executive Academic Board, promoting collaboration and excellence in European security and defence education.

  • Stanislava Kraynova in frotn of cyber lap. She is wearing a blue shirt and a laynyard with her name tack on it. She is smiling.
    ESDC Coordinator - Stanislava Kraynova

    Stanislava Kraynova is a Bulgarian civilian expert with many years of experience in training, education, project management, and resilience through civil preparedness, seconded to ESDC by the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence since March 2023. She is handling an extensive ESDC portfolio in the fields of Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), by implementing project plans, managing project stakeholders and the related budget. She actively contributes to the co-ordination, organisation and implementation of the pre-deployment training for CSDP missions and operations.