Resilience facing major crises
Responses to new threats to national security
How to protect yourself against risks in a context of increasing vulnerability?
The theme of our 35th meeting is not entirely new; we regularly have the opportunity to deal with anticipation or response to crises. But this is the first time we have made resilience the sole subject of a BEST meeting.
Resilience, or the ability to continue functioning in adversity, is another way of speaking about adaptability. In this regard, and as our German and Finnish guests showed us, it depends heavily on context, both regarding vulnerabilities and resources to mobilize. The case of Finland, a European reference in national resilience, with its comprehensive security model developed since the 1990s and regularly updated, particularly struck us.
Our meeting took place between two heatwaves that were particularly long, close together, and early. The COVID crisis remains very present in our memories. We cannot ignore the growing risk of disasters that could shut down our urban services or create life-threatening emergency situations for our fellow citizens.
However, while it is essential to anticipate crisis situations and prepare responses, resilience is primarily and perhaps above all a culture. It cannot be built in a day, nor can it rely solely on planning, however thorough it may be.
As one of us wisely summarized, when disaster strikes, our first reflex will not necessarily be to re-read the corresponding “action sheet.” But if we have thought about it collectively, involving all relevant actors, including the population, whose role is essential, then we have laid the foundations for confident and effective cooperation on the day, a necessary condition for the resilience of our metropolitan areas.
Finally, let us not forget that our societies’ dependence on digital technologies comes at the cost of increasingly worrying vulnerability to cyber-attacks. This particular type of disaster, which some of us have already had to face, must mobilize us in particular.
Éric ARDOUIN
Chief Executive of the City of Toulouse
and Toulouse Métropole
PROGRAM
Resilience facing major crises: European strategy and national models
Welcome remarks and presentation of the program.
> Éric ARDOUIN, Chief Executive of the City of Toulouse and Toulouse Métropole.
The EU’s “Union of Preparedness” strategy: a paradigm shift.
> Jacob Bang JEPPESEN, Policy Officer at DG ECHO (Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations), European Commission.
Round table – National experts from France, Germany and Finland on Member States’ perception of the EU strategy.
Refocused national resilience strategy: resilience as operational preparation for major crises, not just a concept.
> Jean-Christophe ÉRARD, Delegate for National Resilience Strategy regarding local authorities, Directorate for State Protection and Security (SGDSN).
Discussion with participants on the COVID-19 crisis.
Comparative crisis management in France, Germany, Finland and at the European level.
Civil protection and national resilience in Germany: a complex and essential federal system.
> Jörg HAAS, Head of Civil Protection and Crisis Management at PD — In-house consultancy for German public authorities (PD — Berater der öffentlichen Hand GmbH).
Building a shock-resistant society – Security of supply and resilience in Finland.
> Axel HAGELSTAM, Deputy Director General, International Affairs and Analysis, National Emergency Supply Agency (NESA), Finland.
Round table – Recommended measures to advance preparedness and risk response at different territorial levels (Europe, State, metropolitan areas).
Responses to new threats to national security
Artificial Intelligence: the last human invention?
> Arthur GRIMONPONT, Advocacy Lead at the Center for AI Safety (CeSIA).
The role of Defense in France within a turbulent geopolitical context.
> Renaud RONDET, General commanding the 11th Parachute Brigade.
How the army prepares for the operational management of uncertainty?
> Renaud RONDET, General commanding the 11th Parachute Brigade.
Territorial cybersecurity: understanding threats, mastering the NIS2 framework, and taking action.
> Ludovic HENRY, Deputy Delegate for Digital Security (ANSSI) for the Occitanie region.
“Zér0Numérique” (Zero-Digital) crisis exercise: City Hall and Métropole lose all digital capabilities for 2 months due to a cyber attack.
> Éric ARDOUIN, Chief Executive of the City of Toulouse and Toulouse Métropole.
VIGINUM – Vigilance and protection service against foreign digital interference.
> Ludovic HENRY, Deputy Delegate for Digital Security (ANSSI) for the Occitanie region.