From 13 to 15 May, the NDC hosted its 72nd Anciens Conference and Seminar. This annual event brings together the NDC’s Anciens, all Senior Course graduates, and the broader Alumni community that has shaped the history and legacy of the College over the past 75 years.
Each year, the Anciens’ Conference and Seminar provides an opportunity for the Anciens and Alumni community to maintain and strengthen the meaningful connections and friendships forged during their time at the College. In addition, the Seminar offers participants the opportunity to attend high-level lectures on selected topics, engaging with subject-matter experts and peers on issues of strategic importance to the Alliance.
On 14 May, the day started with the Annual Meeting of Secretaries of National Associations, followed later by the Anciens’ Annual General Meeting (AGM). These sessions enabled the Anciens community to remain informed about the latest developments within both the Association and the NDC. The NDC Commandant, Lieutenant General Max A.L.T. Nielsen, presented a review of 2025 activities, highlighting key developments in education, engagement and research over the past year. He also addressed several important upcoming milestones, including the celebrations marking the 75th Anniversary of the College and the NDC’s 60 years in Rome, which will take place this July.
During the AGM, Honorary and Distinguished Anciens were nominated and awarded diplomas in recognition of their outstanding contributions to the NATO Defense College and NATO. This year, 18 Honorary and Distinguished Anciens were nominated, recognizing Anciens who have reached high-ranking positions or provided significant service to the Alliance, along with recurring lecturers at the NDC and outgoing Academic Advisory Board members.
The next day, the event was opened to the broader Alumni community, bringing together Senior Course Anciens alongside graduates from previous NATO Regional Cooperation Courses (NRCC), the NDC’s two flagship courses.
Centred on the theme “Maintaining NATO’s Cohesion in the New Strategic Environment”, this year’s Seminar explored how the evolving security landscape is shaping the way the Alliance operates across domains.
In his opening remarks, NDC Commandant Lieutenant General Nielsen stressed the vital importance of preserving unity in an increasingly complex and rapidly changing strategic environment. He also reiterated the College’s central role in fostering cohesion, mutual understanding and interoperability among Allies and Partners.
The Commandant’s remarks were followed by a keynote address delivered by Mr Dominik P. Jankowski, Deputy Secretary General for Policy and Outreach at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, and a panel discussion examining the political realities surrounding the implementation of the 5-percent defence spending commitment in support of NATO’s capability requirements across domains. Moderated by Dr Olesya Vinhas de Souza, the panel featured Mr Arda Karakaya, Head of Plans Section, Operations Division at NATO Headquarters; Ms Elīza Ēlerte, Deputy POLAD at JFC Brunssum; and LTC Danny Houde, Combined Force Space Component Command and S3 Branch Head Operations and Intelligence at HQ NATO AIRCOM.
Throughout the Seminar, speakers addressed the evolving security environment, marked by the growing importance of multi-domain readiness for the Alliance. Discussions highlighted the changing character of warfare and the increasing relevance of distinct operational domains.
In this context, the Seminar examined the need for greater investment in deterrence and defence, and the importance of securing public support for the 5-percent commitment agreed at the landmark Summit held in The Hague in 2025 as a crucial factor in sustaining Alliance cohesion. Framing deterrence as a public good, discussions stressed the need to build consensus around increased defence investment while maintaining continued social investment. These priorities were presented as complementary rather than competing; both considered essential in the current security environment.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Chloé Ketels, FRA C)
NATO Defense College