European Prize for Civic Engagement, Security and Defence«

The Jean Monnet Association, represented by Julia Mariau, Caroline Schmidt and Olivier Vedrine, members of our governing bodies, was honoured on 18 November 2025 at the Berlin Security Conference, receiving a Special Recommendation «European Award for Citizenship, Security and Defence» for its outstanding efforts in promoting European citizenship and raising awareness of security and defence in Europe. This distinction was offered by Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic, and presented by the Defence Attaché of the French Embassy in Berlin.

Since its creation in 1986, the Jean Monnet Association has been working to build a bridge between the past, present and future of the European Union, reflecting on major European issues in the light of Jean Monnet's thinking. We organise the Houjarray Foresight Talks, thematic conferences, forums, memoranda and joint declarations in support of European unity.

The award was presented at the Berlin Security Conference (BSC), one of Europe's largest events dedicated to security and defence policy, organised by the European Interparliamentary Security and Defence Association (ESDA) and the Civisme Défense Armée Nation (CiDAN) association, with the support of Behörden Spiegel. The conference brought together parliamentarians, politicians, senior military officials and defence industry players from around the world.

The selection criteria included: 

• Promoting European values,
• Concrete achievements in promoting European security and defence,
• Promoting European citizenship,
• Strengthening resilience to all threats,
• Promoting key European interests,
• Promoting a strong European technological and industrial base,
• Participation in commemorative ceremonies and activities in a spirit of reconciliation.

The Jean Monnet Association has distinguished itself through its memoranda, joint declarations, conferences and forums in support of Ukraine, demonstrating a visible commitment to European citizenship, security and defence.

This international recognition highlights the association's leading role in promoting European values and its commitment to reflecting on the strategic and defence issues facing the European Union, which it intends to continue in order to contribute to the construction of a stronger and more forward-looking European Union.