The educational environment focused on the needs of professionals from security and defence landscape is one characterised by diversity and variety. Different training entities from Europe and around the world offer a variety of products and try to keep up with the existing gaps, needs and latest trends. While discourse analysis originates from research methods, it is important for trainees to understand the ways to assess the contents of discourses and also to interpret such contents using a methodological framework. We were able to identify a direct connection between the training needs related to security and defence programmes and the gaps to be covered with the implementation of discourse analysis topics and contents. The current paper is focused on the EU-related training programs on security & defence and the inclusion of discourse analysis as topic for the staff trained under such frameworks. It also emphasises the strengths and opportunities deriving from the implementation of such contents in various courses, in line with direct experiece of the authors in designing and following such types of training products. The research is focused on the analysis of the course designs of multiple training activities provided under the European framework, more precisely under the European External Action Service. The courses under the framework of this institution will be tackled under the aspect of the curriculum contents, with an approach on the incidence and absence (and the convergence of the need) of topics related to discourse analysis. This research will provide the backbone for professionals, experts and decision-makers from the field of training connected to security and defence and not only, while also offering useful insights for researchers focused on interdisciplinary studies. Key objectives of the study include the increase of awareness on the importance of such practices in the educational environments, while also underlying the benefits that can occur throughout the implementation of this topic.

Keywords: Discourse analysis, security and defence, education dynamics, training contents.