Monday 22 November 2010
As the latest in the series of Eisenhower lectures, the NATO Defense College was proud to host General Stéphane ABRIAL, Supreme Allied Commander Transformation (SACT), as today’s lecturer.
Upon his arrival, SACT was cordially welcomed by Dr. Richard HOOKER, the Dean of the NATO Defense College.
SACT's lecture "Transformation after Lisbon" focused on NATO's new Strategic Concept and the accomplishments of the Lisbon Summit which finished on 20th November 2010.
In an eloquent and well structured speech, General ABRIAL explained the Alliance's need for a new strategic concept and described some of its main features.
In addition, he gave today’s Audience, which included His Excellency Jean-Marc DE LA SABLIERE, Ambassador of France to Italy, and Members of Senior Course 117, the unique opportunity to share his thoughts through the prism of the three characteristics he had called for – clarity, realism and flexibility.
Throughout his lecture he underlined the fact that the "Lisbon leaves us with a strong mandate for Transformation. All ACT's activities – training, capability development, lessons learned, and our underlying think tank function – will be impacted by the vision spelled out in the Strategic Concept and its associated documents. In the coming months, ACT will fully play its role in supporting the initiatives that are scheduled to follow Lisbon […]"
His remarks were followed by a lively Q&A period which proved to be an active debate in which many of the NDC Course Members showed their interest in the issues that had been discussed.
Prior to his departure from the College the College Command Group delivered a briefing to General ABRIAL and the members of his delegation on the College's activities and gave an overview of the educational courses offered at the College.
The "Eisenhower Lecture" which commemorates the founder of the NATO Defense College, is delivered every Senior Course, and given by high level speakers who have a special knowledge of current topics of interest to the Alliance. It is therefore particularly important as it gives Course Members insight into the experts’ view of current global issues.
