From 8 to 12 June 2020, the NATO Defense College held the Negotiation, Mediation and Decision-Making (NMDX) Exercise. Over the five days, Course Members had the opportunity to examine NATO’s role in Crisis Response Operations and the Alliance’s organization and procedures in crisis management situations.
The NMDX is aimed at practicing negotiation, mediation and decision-making techniques in NATO’s Crisis Management Process using a generic scenario. Course Members were divided into 5 working groups (WG) which progressed through the NMDX simultaneously, simulating different NATO bodies (Political Committee, Military Committee and the North Atlantic Council).
During the exercise, Senior Mentors give advice and feedback to Course Members. The WGs were coordinated by LGEN (ret) Jo Godderij, former Director-General International Military Staff (IMS); LGEN (ret) Antonio Li Gobbi, former Director Operations at IMS; Mr Ted Whiteside, former Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy; LGEN (ret) Jan Broeks, former Director-General IMS; and LGEN (ret) Michel Yakovleff, former VCOS SHAPE.
In her closing remarks, LGEN Whitecross highlighted the importance of this exercise for Course Members’ interaction and for the consolidation of their Study Period. She also stressed the significance of achieving consensus in a high level environment and under critical circumstances such as those of the scenario.
The exercise coincided with the return to the College after more than 12 weeks of lockdown and was conducted with measures in line with the national safety protocols.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Laura Garcia Pesquera, ESP C)
NATO Defense College