Men, Masculinities and Militarism in Europe: MenEngage Europe Symposium
- Event Date
- 21 October 2026
- Event Location
- Seville, Spain
- Languages
- English, Spanish
- Event Start Time
- 9:30am (Madrid)
How are militarized masculinities shaping Europe today?
This symposium will surface practical strategies for engaging men and boys in violence prevention and feminist peace, and push for a shift in European security toward people-centered security, lower military spending, disarmament, and feminist foreign policy.
To help set the scene for this dialogue, we are featuring a number of artists who generously make their work available through thegreats.co. With gratitude, we are pleased to present their powerful artistic works of resistance, peace, and transformation.
What to expect
The symposium brings practitioners, civil society, researchers, and policymakers together to ask how militarized masculinities are shaping European security, and how men and boys can become accountable allies for feminist peace. Sessions will focus on four areas:
- Drawing men and boys away from militarism and the radical right
- Preventing violence in conflict-affected communities
- Advancing feminist foreign policy and disarmament
- Putting people-centered security and care at the heart of EU policy
The day opens with keynote remarks and a panel, then moves into interactive working sessions and a closing strategy dialogue. Voices from conflict-affected communities will guide the conversation, which will shape a brief with recommendations for EU institutions, member states, and civil society. The symposium will be held under the Chatham House Rule, with simultaneous interpretation in English and Spanish.
Schedule
- 9:00am
Registration
Register and join us for a tea, coffee, and connecting before the session begins.
- 9:30am
Opening remarks
Setting the scene based on the current global dynamics on masculinities and militarism, as well as a brief introduction to MenEngage Alliance and its history in the region.
- 10:00am
Opening panel discussion
- Jamila Afghani: Distinguished Afghan women's rights activist and peacebuilder with over 28 years of experience advancing gender equality, inclusive development, and nonviolent conflict resolution in Afghanistan.
- Anthony Keedi: Psychologist, Gender specialist and Program Manager on Masculinities and engaging men in Gender Equality for ABAAD, Lebanon.
- Cristina Hernández: President of the Women’s Institute (Instituto de las Mujeres) in Spain.
- Dr. David Duriesmith: a Senior Lecturer in Gender and Politics at the University of Sheffield. He researches the intersection of patriarchy, gender, and violence in international security and armed conflict.
- 12:00
Parrallel Interactive Sessions
An opportunity for participatns to join break-out sessions on a range of topics:
- Drawing men and boys away from militarism, illiberalism and the radical right
- Engaging men and boys in preventing violence in conflict-affected areas
- Feminist Foreign Policy, disarmament and demilitarization
- Whose security? Prioritizing people-centred security and care in EU security policies and practice
- 13:30
Forward looking plenary and close
Breakout group co-hosts share back take-aways from their respective sessions. Participants are then invited to join a creative session to make placards ahead of a public march against masculinist violence later.
Partners
MenEngage Iberia
MenEngage Europe
Funded by the European Union
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Fundación Iniciativa Social (FIS)
Hombres por la Igalidad