METHODOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK 

THE 5TH NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE IN THE SERIES “PRAXEOLOGY IN SECURITY SCIENCES” ON THE TOPIC:

“THE INTERNATIONAL DIMENSION OF CIVIL PROTECTION AND CIVIL DEFENSE”

KALISZ, NOVEMBER 19-20, 2026

Main research question: How can we address the challenges facing the civil protection and civil defense system at the international level with the support of armed forces (both national and allied) as well as numerous international organizations?

A number of specific research questions arise from this main research question:

1.    What is the nature of contemporary security threats, and in what directions are they 
        evolving?

2.    How can we build the resilience of the residents of the Kalisz-Ostrów Agglomeration 
         under current and future conditions?

3.  How do the activities of international organizations—the UN, NATO, the EU, and the 
      OSCE—influence the functioning of the civil protection and civil defense system in 
       Poland?

4.  To what extent do the activities of international humanitarian, aid, and rescue 
         organizations contribute to increasing the effectiveness of the civil protection and 
         civil defense system?

5.  What are the main educational challenges facing the civil protection and civil defense 
        system?

6.    Under what conditions are decisions made in civil protection and civil defense, and 
         what are their specific characteristics?

7.    How can the continuity of operations and the implementation of key processes in the 
        country be ensured while carrying out tasks in the areas of crisis management, civil 
        protection, and civil defense in the face of numerous challenges, risks, and threats, 
        including those of an international nature?

8.    How can cooperation, coordination, and synchronization of activities be ensured 
        among public administration, services, inspectorates and guards, the armed forces, 
         international organizations, as well as humanitarian and social organizations?

9.    In which areas and directions should the civil protection and civil defense system be 
        developed and improved under current and future conditions? 

10.    What are the experiences, best practices, and recommendations of other countries 
           in the field of civil protection and civil defense?

The aim of the Conference is to initiate an academic debate, create a forum for presenting current research findings, integrate the security studies community through the exchange of views, best practices, and opinions, and develop solutions and conclusions regarding the functioning of civil protection and civil defense agencies, entities, and resources in Poland, including in an international context, with the support of the armed forces (national and allied), as well as numerous international organizations.

The subject of the research is: the functioning of the civil protection and civil defense system in an international context, with particular emphasis on processes of cooperation, coordination, support, and collaboration between public administration, the armed forces of national and allied states, and international organizations in situations of threats, crises, disasters, and armed conflicts.

In detail, the subject of the research covers:

•    the organization of the civil protection and civil defense system; 

•    procedures for international cooperation; 

•    mechanisms for military support of civilian operations; 

•    coordination of rescue and humanitarian operations; 

•    interoperability of national and international entities; 

•    the use of resources from NATO, the EU, the UN, the OSCE, and other organizations; 

•    the decision-making process in crisis situations; 

•    ensuring operational continuity and the implementation of key processes within the                   
        state;

•    building the resilience of the state and society under current and future conditions.

The research focuses on institutions, organizations, and stakeholders responsible for planning, organizing, coordinating, and implementing protective, rescue, and humanitarian activities during crises, disasters, and armed conflicts in the domestic and international environment.

Research scope: NATO and EU member states, as well as selected partner countries. Research perspectives: organizational, legal, operational, social, national, and international.

GENERAL AND SPECIFIC THEMATIC AREAS OF THE CONFERENCE:

I. TRANSFORMATION IN SECURITY PERCEPTION – A WORLD FULL OF THREATS –
     FROM STRUCTURED THREAT HIERARCHIES TO FRAGMENTED AND INTERNALLY-
     DRIVEN INSECURITY

– military and non-military threats at the global, regional, and local levels,

– the evolution of threats and their hybrid nature,

– the consequences and cascading effects of threats,

– scenarios for the development of crises and crisis situations,

– sociological and psychological aspects of crises and crisis situations,

– the impact of threats on the population, the economy, infrastructure, and the 
          environment.

II.     CIVIL PROTECTION (PROTECTION OF CIVILIANS – PoC) AND CIVIL DEFENSE 
         FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:

– international humanitarian law – IHL (e.g. Geneva Conventions and Additional 
          Protocols),

– standards and principles of civil protection and civil defense in theory and practice 
          within the UN, EU, NATO, and OSCE,

– cooperation among states within the UN, EU, NATO, and OSCE,

– activities of humanitarian, social, rescue, and non-governmental organizations in the 
         context of emergency and humanitarian aid,

– common standards for civil protection and civil defense,

– cooperation and coordination with the armed forces in civil protection and civil 
          defense at the national and allied levels,

– coordination of activities in crisis situations.

III. CIVIL PROTECTION AND CIVIL DEFENSE ENTITIES IN PROTECTION AND DEFENSE 
        ACTIVITIES IN THE INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT:

– the practical aspects of civil protection entities’ activities in the international 
          environment,

– best practices, conclusions, and lessons learned from operations,  

– cooperation, coordination, and synchronization with international entities within the 
         framework of common civil protection and civil defense standards.

IV.           EDUCATIONAL CHALLENGES OF THE CIVIL PROTECTION AND CIVIL DEFENSE:

– objectives and content of education in the field of civil protection and civil defense,

– experiences and conclusions from training within the civil protection and civil defense 
         system,

– preparation and conduct of civil protection and civil defense exercises,

– improvement of educational forms and methods.

V. DECISION-MAKING, ENSURING CONTINUITY OF ADMINISTRATION AND 
          KEY PROCESSES IN THE STATE IN THE CONTEXT OF CIVIL PROTECTION AND 
          CIVIL DEFENSE:

– conditions and specific characteristics of decision-making in crisis situations,

– ensuring continuity of operations in civil protection and civil defense,

– strategies for building national resilience and implementing key processes in the 
         context of civil protection.

VI. DETERMINANTS AND PROSPECTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE CIVIL  
        PROTECTION AND CIVIL DEFENSE: 

– the evolution of threats and civil protection and civil defense,

– new technologies in civil protection and civil defense,

– civil protection and civil defense agencies, entities, and resources in the face of   
          current and future challenges,

– health and safety of personnel and the civilian population during war and 

       armed conflicts

– emergency and humanitarian aid 

– the world in an era of uncertainty – key challenges for civil protection and civil 
            defense at the international level.

VII.    BUILDING SOCIAL RESILIENCE AMONG RESIDENTS OF THE KALISZ-

     OSTRÓW AGGLOMERATION:

– threats to local communities,

– actions by authorities and civil protection and civil defense entities in building 
         and activating social resilience mechanisms,

– civil protection and civil defense resources,

– relief efforts in civil defense conditions,

– cooperation and coordination with the administration and the armed forces,

– the role and involvement of non-governmental organizations, community groups, and associations in the civil protection and civil defense system.