The 2025 winner, Professor Tine Molendijk, receiving her prize from Jean-Marc Vesco, CEO of C&V Defence and John Thomas, President of Euro-ISME, in the presence of Brigadier General (Retired) Benoît Royal.
The Prize is named in honour of French Brigadier General (Retired) Benoît Royal, Euro-ISME’s first president and a pioneering European voice in ethical military practice. For John Thomas, President of Euro-ISME, the first edition confirmed the value of the award: « These are challenging times for us all. There are active conflicts in Europe, the Middle East and many other parts of the world. Some of the protagonists in these conflicts have embraced a win-at-all-costs strategy, pushing aside the established norms of behaviour enshrined in the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law. It is impossible to underestimate the profound effect this strategy could have on the safety and wellbeing of us all, not just those caught up in today’s wars. »
Jean-Marc Vesco, Chief Executive Officer at C&V Defence, echoes that sense of urgency from the industry side, pointing to questions the sector is confronting in real time: « At C&V Defence, we firmly believe that military ethics must reflect Europe’s unique values: the primacy of our national and international commitments to the treaties and laws that regulate warfare, including in times of conflict. »
« As the battlefield becomes increasingly autonomous and as questions about the respective roles of humans and machines and the rules governing these technologies are becoming ever more pressing, this conviction must guide the way we design our defence systems, the way we use them, and the way we supply them », Vesco adds. « Considerable efforts are being made across the sector to ensure that AI systems operate ethically. Yet a more fundamental question must be raised: how can we guarantee the ethical alignment of AI tools intended to model human behaviour and support decision-making, if the very human model we rely on lacks ethical grounding? Ultimately, AI is merely a mirror of humanity. »
A prize for the whole defence ecosystem
The Benoît Royal Prize for Ethics in Defence highlights the vital role of ethics across every area of defence, from military operations to the defence industry, research and academia. It recognises inspiring initiatives and honours the work of dedicated individuals and organisations, while serving as a platform for fostering dialogue around shared European values and strengthening global collaboration in the pursuit of ethical excellence in defence.
« Euro-ISME is delighted to bring this award forward with C&V Defence, to encourage those who work to ensure that ethics and morality continue to play an important role in all aspects of defence, from political strategy down to the tactical and operational level, including research, defence industries and academia, » says John Thomas.
That shared conviction is one C&V Defence places at the core of its own practice. « Standing alongside Euro-ISME for the Benoît Royal Prize is our way of reaffirming Europe’s distinctive commitment to principled defence », says Jean-Marc Vesco. « In an ever-changing security landscape, this award honours those who ensure that ethical standards are not a constraint, but a strength. »
Practicalities
Nominations are invited to recognise European individuals or organisations who have shown exceptional courage, taken bold steps to promote military ethics, or made a lasting impact on ethical defence practices.
Nominations are open now and will close on 11 December 2026. Details here (click right to download):
Nomination form
Eligibility criteria
Prize regulations
The nomination form, eligibility criteria and prize regulations are also available on the Euro-ISME website. Nominees will be assessed by a jury bringing together the Euro-ISME Board and C&V Defence’s senior leadership. The winner of the 2026 Prize will be honoured in Brussels in early 2027.
About Euro-ISME
The European Chapter of the International Society for Military Ethics (Euro-ISME) is an organisation that brings together academics, military practitioners, and educators committed to promoting ethics in military practice.
Founded in 2011, Euro-ISME provides a platform for dialogue and analysis on professional responsibility, the law of armed conflict, and the human rights dimensions of defence. It supports ethics education across European armed forces, promotes harmonised ethical standards, and contributes to a global network of military ethics societies. Every year since 2015, Euro-ISME has awarded a prize for the best European student’s thesis (Masters of Arts) on military ethics.
Learn more: https://www.euroisme.eu/en/
About C&V Defence
C&V Defence, a Belgian SME established in 2020, supports European companies in developing sustainable and ethical strategies in the EU and NATO defence markets. With a firm belief in the importance of ethics and responsibility in defence innovation, C&V Defence integrates these values into every aspect of its work, notably through its involvement in the European Defence Fund. Through enhancing strategic capabilities and promoting responsible innovation, C&V Defence aims to contribute to the development of a more resilient and principled European defence landscape.
Within C&V Defence, the teams are committed to supporting and working with those who ensure that a weapon system can be used for fair reasons, because it is and can be used legally and ethically and not just for the legitimacy for which it is used.
Learn more: https://cnv-defence.eu/en/
