On 9 May 2014, the NATO Defense College (NDC) and the Middle East Faculty (MEF) celebrated the graduation of the eleventh session of the NATO Regional Cooperation Course (NRCC 11).
The occasion was greatly honoured by the presence of Ambassadors and high-level guests from various Embassies and diplomatic missions, and by the participation of Dr Richard D. Hooker as guest speaker. Dr Hooker, formerly Dean of the NDC, is currently Director for Research and Strategic Support at the Institute for National Strategic Studies in Washington D.C.
Upon arrival, participants were warmly welcomed by NDC Commandant LtGen Arne Bård Dalhaug (NOR A) and by Col Giuseppe Morabito (ITA A), Director of the MEF.
Before the graduation ceremony, the distinguished guests joined NRCC 11 Course Members in the main Auditorium for a lecture by Dr Hooker on “The future of US policy in the Middle East”. The speaker underlined the importance of NATO partnership with Middle East countries, and of the US’ role in promoting this.
Following Dr Hooker’s address, LtGen Dalhaug spoke about the importance of this unique Course, reminding all present that “the true purpose of the NRCC is to take away misconceptions, promote mutual understanding, and provide a forum for serious discussions”.
Afterwards, NRCC 11 Course Members came forward individually to receive their graduation diplomas and the personal congratulations of the NDC leadership.
NRCC 11 brought together 32 Course Members from a total of fifteen different countries – within NATO, the Mediterranean Dialogue and the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative, as well as Global Partner countries. The curriculum was extensive and topical, embracing a number of significant strategic challenges and the resulting need for informed planning at regional and global levels. Far from offering a mere complement to mainstream security-related topics, the Course enabled participants to work towards a truly comprehensive strategic dialogue and to develop what the College calls “human interoperability”, establishing mutual trust as a firm basis for cooperation.
The NRCC programme was inspired by the Alliance’s successful promotion of partnership in the Middle East in recent decades – starting with the creation of the Mediterranean Dialogue and the Partnership for Peace in 1994, and then with the setting up of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative in 2004. The first Course (NRCC 1) was held in 2009, with a view to enhancing dialogue, mutual understanding and cooperation between NATO and Partner countries.
Amongst the activities planned to ensure NRCC 11 would not be limited to daily lectures were two Field Studies, to Naples and Brussels. Sections of the Course which were particularly appreciated by Course Members were those on regional security, the threats posed by weapons of mass destruction, and ongoing crises. The panel on the world’s three major monotheistic religions was also singled out as an exceptionally valuable learning experience, contributing greatly to the acknowledgment and promotion of shared values.
All at the MEF have greatly appreciated the hard work put in by Course Members throughout their ten weeks at the College. NRCC 12 is scheduled to begin in the autumn.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Giordana Mongardini, ITA C)
NATO Defense College 
