Resilience as Europe’s Strategic Shield.
A workshop on the importance of humanitarian aid
Nov 20, 2025 / Vienna / Global Affairs
On 20 November 2025, the Austria Institute for European and Security Policy (AIES) hosted a workshop on “Resilience as Europe’s Strategic Shield.” The discussions focused on the growing importance of societal and economic factors for Europe’s security as well as the impact of global developments on European stability.
Dr. Martin Frick (Director, Global Office Germany, World Food Programme) presented a clear and sobering overview of the international situation. Despite record levels of humanitarian funding only a few years ago, available resources have now dropped sharply. This at a time when needs are rising faster than ever due to conflicts, climate impacts, and a global debt crisis. The retreat of key actors such as USAID is further exacerbating the situation, weakening both immediate emergency relief and long-term development programmes. As a result, a growing belt of instability is emerging in Europe’s neighbourhood.
Lukas Wank (Executive Director, AG Globale Verantwortung) stressed that Europe’s security cannot be viewed in isolation but is deeply embedded in global dynamics. He highlighted that many achievements in poverty reduction, local stabilization, and sustainable development have been eroded since the pandemic. Conflicts, climate effects, and economic instability reinforce one another and undermine the resilience of entire societies. Wank emphasised that successful security policy cannot begin with border control and deterrence alone. What is required is a stronger focus on prevention, locally anchored structures, and forward-looking political strategies. Global inequalities, fragile statehood, and a lack of socio-economic prospects are key drivers of instability, while investment in sustainable development and humanitarian assistance, though comparatively modest in cost, can have significant security benefits. Strengthening Europe’s resilience in the long term therefore requires integrating development policy as a core component of European security strategy.
The subsequent discussion highlighted that resilience policy extends far beyond technical capabilities. Whether in Syria, the Sahel, or the Eastern Partnership states, regional dynamics and disinformation campaigns have direct implications for Europe’s security. Prevention and societal resilience were identified as essential pillars, yet they remain difficult to communicate politically and are often underfunded. The event concluded with the clear message that Europe must understand its humanitarian and development instruments more fully as integral elements of its external and security policy.
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