The second edition of the Specialization Course in Security, Defense, and Climate Change (CESDAC) took place between January 15 and March 19, 2026. This joint initiative by CEI-Iscte and the National Defense Institute (IDN) reinforces the center’s commitment to key issues on the contemporary global agenda.
Over the course of 10 weekly sessions, the course brought together trainers and experts to focus on three key objectives: identifying security risks stemming from climate change; examining how international defense bodies are adapting their agendas; and exploring practical examples of the National Defense’s involvement in climate crises.
The course was conducted in a hybrid format, with in-person sessions at the IDN in Lisbon and live broadcasts to the Porto Delegation.
The last day of the course, March 19, featured a more practical approach. It included a visit by the auditors to the Hydrographic Institute (IH) of the Navy and the NATO Maritime-GEOMETOC Centre of Excellence (COE). The day also featured a lecture by Rear Admiral Luís Bessa Pacheco (Commander of the Naval School) titled: “The Impact of Climate Change on Military Strategy”
The closing ceremony was held in the main auditorium of the IH with 27 auditors in attendance, including the Porto group. The event featured speeches by the Director of the IDN, Professor Isabel Ferreira Nunes, and the course Director, Professor Pedro Seabra (representing the Director of CEI-Iscte, Professor Ana Mónica Fonseca).
The delivery of certificates was led by representatives of the partner institutions, with the support of Director-General of the IH, Rear Admiral João Ramalho Marreiro, and the course coordinator, Captain José Miguel Picoito.