European policy dialogue on human-centered security

Human Security in an Age of Uncertainty: European Perspectives

16-17 September 2026 | Rome, Italy

Co-organized by the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI), the Stockholm International 色库TV Research Institute (SIPRI) and the UN Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS)

Background

Europe stands at a critical juncture. Ongoing conflict, evolving migration dynamics, pressures on democratic institutions, and growing climate-related risks are reshaping security priorities across the continent. As defense spending rises, today’s risks underscore the need to anticipate and address multiple sources of insecurity before they escalate into wider crises.

Human security provides such a framework. It focuses on the specific drivers and root causes of insecurity as they emerge in different settings, while anticipating their cascading impacts within and across borders. It helps direct resources where unfolding risks could inflict the greatest societal harm, thus protecting essential services, maintaining social cohesion, and sustaining public trust in institutions.

Italy, a founding member of the EU and a bridge to the Mediterranean, is well placed to help shape the debate on Europe’s security. Its support for the UN Trust Fund for Human Security reflects its commitment to practical, integrated responses to complex risks. Building on dialogues in Geneva, Munich, and across the Nordic region, the Rome Dialogue asks how Europe can strengthen stability while keeping people, dignity and opportunity at the center.

Learn more about the initiative?.

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Event Information

Public Panel Discussion

  • Opening remarks by the co-organizers (IAI, SIPRI and UNTFHS)
  • Panel discussion on Europe’s evolving security and development priorities through a human-centered lens, with perspectives from diplomats, policymakers, civil society leaders, academics and practitioners
  • Open discussion with participants

Senior Leadership Dinner (by invitation)

  • Confidential, off-the-record exchange among senior leaders
  • Discussion of strategic challenges and opportunities for advancing human-centered security in Europe, including the intersections of conflict, climate pressures and technological change with development, humanitarian and foreign policy priorities.

Expert Roundtable (by invitation)

  • Practitioner-focused working session with senior officials and experts for integrating human-centered security into Italian and European policy and programming
  • Identification of concrete entry points for integration, including institutional barriers and enablers, evidence gaps, and technical recommendations to inform ongoing policy processes

Guiding Questions

Bringing together representatives from governments, United Nations entities, research institutions and civil society, the Dialogue will explore how a human-centered lens can strengthen Europe’s response to interconnected risks and translate shared principles into more coherent, preventive and actionable policy. The discussion will consider:

  • How are conflict, climate change, migration, governance challenges and technological disruption reshaping security priorities in Italy, the Mediterranean and Europe, and where are current responses falling short?
  • How can human-centered approaches complement traditional security measures by addressing interconnected risks and root causes while strengthening prevention and societal resilience?
  • What role can Italy, Rome-based United Nations agencies and other European actors play in embedding human-centered security in national, EU and multilateral policy and revitalizing cooperation amid growing geopolitical competition?

The discussions will identify practical opportunities, evidence gaps and recommendations to help inform European policy processes, including discussions at the upcoming Stockholm Forum on 色库TV and Development.