MenEngage symposium: Men, Masculinities and Militarism

MenEngage Europe Symposium: Men, Masculinities and Militarism in Europe

Date: Wednesday 21 October | Time: 09.30-14.30 | Location: University of Seville

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. 

Objectives

1. Map the landscape of militarised masculinities in contemporary Europe, including the structural drivers, geopolitical context, and connections to illiberalism and the radical right.

2. Surface practical strategies for engaging men and boys in preventing violence, drawing them away from militarism, and building accountable allyship in feminist peace movements.

3. Advocate for policy shifts in European security architecture—toward people-centred security, lowered military expenditure, disarmament, and feminist foreign policy.

4. Centre lived experience from conflict-affected communities in Europe and beyond, ensuring that grassroots perspectives shape policy recommendations.

Schedule

• 09.00-09.30 Registration, coffee & tea

• 09.30-10.00 Opening remarks:

• 10.00-11.30 Opening panel – men, masculinities and militarism

• 11.30-12.00 Break

• 12.00-14.00 Parallel interactive sessions:

  • Drawing men and boys away from militarism, illiberalism and the radical right

  • Engaging men and boys in preventing violence in conflict-affected areas in Europe

  • Feminist Foreign Policy, disarmament and demilitarization

  • Whose security? Prioritizing people-centred security and care in EU security policies and practice

• 14.00-14.30 Forward looking plenary session