Prof. Dr. Sc. Marc Cools
(12. lipanj 1962 – 10. lipanj 2025)
Faculty of Law and Criminology, Ghent University
S dubokim žaljenjem primili smo vijest da nas je napustio član uredništva našeg časopisa, istaknuti znanstvenik, pokretač i vizionar, suradnik i nadasve prijatelj profesor Marc Cools. Marc je bio ugledni europski i belgijski znanstvenik. Bio je profesor na Fakultetu za pravo i kriminologiju Sveučilišta u Gentu, jedan je od suosnivača organizacije BISC (Belgian Intelligence Studies Centre). Kao takav je, zajedno s drugim prijateljima iz BISC-a i ECSA-e (Robin Libert, Yvan de Mesmaeker) skoro od početka postao dio Zagrebačkog sigurnosnog foruma. To je i razlog zašto se boje belgijske zastave nalaze u središtu našeg logotipa.
Godinama smo razgovarali o novim trendovima u sigurnosnim politikama i znanosti, otvarali teme prije nego li bi one postale od interesa za širu javnost, nudili rješenja povezana s obrazovanjem i odgojem budućih generacija širenjem znanja i povezivanjem na europskoj razini različitih generacija stručnjaka.
S Marcom je uvijek bilo ugodno razgovarati, planirati, dogovarati, pratiti razvoj dogovorenog. Staložen, smiren, siguran, odlučan, jezgrovit. Bio je jedan od onih koji se nije ustručavao razgovarati korištenjem argumenata kao snage u komunikaciji što pokazuje njegovu intelektualnu veličinu.
Profesor Cools bio je istaknuta figura u europskoj i međunarodnoj kriminologiji, s bogatim akademskim opusom koji obuhvaća teme organiziranog kriminala, sigurnosnih politika, izvještajnog djelovanja, privatnog sektora sigurnosti te strategija prevencije i suzbijanja prijetnji društvenoj sigurnosti. Njegovo se istraživačko djelovanje odlikovalo interdisciplinarnim pristupom, povezivanjem teorije i prakse, kao i trajnom usmjerenošću na aktualne i kompleksne sigurnosne izazove suvremenog društva.
Kao autor i suautor brojnih znanstvenih članaka (330), knjiga i stručnih izvješća, profesor Cools dao je značajan doprinos razvoju sigurnosnih studija kao znanstvene discipline. Aktivno je sudjelovao u brojnim europskim istraživačkim projektima i ekspertizama. Njegovo stručno znanje bilo je prepoznato i izvan akademskog svijeta – u savjetodavnim tijelima, ministarstvima, međunarodnim institucijama i organizacijama civilnog društva. U nastavnoj djelatnosti bio je predan pedagog, mentor i intelektualni uzor mnogim generacijama studenata i mladih istraživača. Njegov je pristup bio obilježen jasnoćom, analitičnošću i dubokom etičkom dimenzijom. Uvijek je poticao kritičko mišljenje, interdisciplinarni dijalog i akademsku izvrsnost.
Izgubili smo znanstvenika rijetke širine, kolegu posvećenog zajednici, osobu koja je svojom mirnom prisutnošću i profesionalnim integritetom ostavila dubok trag u europskoj kriminološkoj i sigurnosnoj mreži, prijatelja s kojim je uvijek bilo ugodno i korisno razgovarati.
U ime uredništva i čitatelja ovog časopisa, izražavamo iskrenu sućut njegovoj obitelji, kolegama, studentima i svima koji su s Markom surađivali.
Kratki životopis:
Cools Marc (°1962-*2025) je postigao doktorat iz kriminologije (Slobodno sveučilište u Bruxellesu), certifikate iz poslovne ekonomije (IPO Management School - Sveučilište u Antwerpenu) i međunarodnog menadžmenta u telekomunikacijskoj industriji (London Business School). Bio je član vrlo uglednog društva Mont Pelerin Society.
Predavao je na Policijskoj akademiji u Antwerpenu, Školi za kriminologiju Ministarstva pravosuđa, Školi menadžmenta u Antwerpenu i Sveučilištu Paris X La Défense Nanterre. Bio je savjetnik bivšeg belgijskog ministra pravosuđa, gospodina Marca Verwilghena.
Bio je profesor kriminologije na Sveučilištu u Gentu i Slobodnom sveučilištu u Bruxellesu, gostujući profesor na Sveučilištu Nyenrode, član znanstvenog vijeća Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers – Criminologie Paris i predaje na Obavještajnoj i sigurnosnoj školi Ministarstva obrane. Također je "Officier in de Kroonorde (B)", "Ridder in de Leopoldsorde (B)" i "Chevalier dans l'ordre des Palmes académiques (F)".
Bibliografija prof. Marca Coolsa dostupna je na sljedećoj poveznici:
https://biblio.ugent.be/person/801001322691?limit=250&sort=year.asc&sort=year.asc&sort=)
Professor Marc Cools
(12 June 1962 – 10 June 2025)
Faculty of Law and Criminology, Ghent University
It is with deep regret that we have received the news that a member of the editorial board of our journal, a prominent scientist, initiator and visionary, collaborator and above all friend, Professor Marc Cools, has left us. Marc is a renowned European and Belgian scientist. He was a professor at the Faculty of Law and Criminology of the University of Ghent. He is one of the co-founders of the BISC (Belgian Intelligence Studies Centre). As such, together with other friends from the BISC and ECSA (Robin Libert, Yvan de Mesmaeker), he became part of the organization of the Zagreb Security Forum almost from the beginning. This is also the reason why the colours of the Belgian flag are at the centre of our logo. For years, we have been discussing new trends in security policies and science, opening topics before they become of interest to the general public, offering solutions related to the education and upbringing of future generations by disseminating knowledge and connecting different generations of experts at the European level. It was always pleasant to talk to Marc, to plan, to arrange, to follow the development of what was agreed. Calm, confident, determined, concise. He was one of those who did not hesitate to talk using arguments as a power in communication that shows his intellectual strength.
Professor Cools has been a prominent figure in European and international criminology, with a rich academic body spanning the topics of organized crime, intelligence, security policies, the private security sector, and strategies for preventing and countering threats to social security. His research work was characterized by an interdisciplinary approach, linking theory and practice, as well as a permanent focus on current and complex security challenges of modern society.
As the author and co-author of numerous scientific articles (330), books and expert reports, Professor Cools has made significant contributions to the development of security studies as a scientific discipline. He has actively participated in numerous European research projects and expertise. His expertise has also been recognised outside academia – in advisory bodies, ministries, international institutions and civil society organisations.
In teaching, he was a dedicated pedagogue, mentor and intellectual role model for many generations of students and young researchers. His approach was marked by clarity, analytically and a deep ethical dimension. He has always encouraged critical thinking, interdisciplinary dialogue, and academic excellence.
We have lost a scientist of rare breadth, a colleague dedicated to the community, a person who, with his calm presence and professional integrity, and a friend with whom it was always pleasant to make fruitful conversations, left a deep mark on the European criminological and safety network.
On behalf of the editorial board and readers of the National Security and the Future journal, we express our sincere condolences to his family, colleagues, students and all those who had a pleasure to work with Marc.
Short biography:
Cools Marc (°1962-*2025) holds a PhD in Criminology (Free University of Brussels) and certificates in Business Economics (IPO Management School- Antwerp University) and International Management in the Telecommunications Industry (London Business School).
He lectured at the Antwerp Police Academy, the School for Criminology of the Justice Department, Antwerp Management School and Paris X La Défense Nanterre University. He was advisor for the former Belgian Justice Minister, Mr. Marc Verwilghen.
He was Professor of Criminology at Ghent University and the Free University of Brussels, Visiting Professor at Nyenrode University, member of the scientific council Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers – Criminologie Paris and teaches at the Intelligence & Security School of the Ministry of Defence. He also is ‘Officier in de Kroonorde (B)’, ‘Ridder in de Leopoldsorde (B)’ and ‘Chevalier dans l’ordre des Palmes académiques (F)’.
Bibliography of Prof. Marc Cools is available at: