On 17 March 2022, Senior Course 140 made a virtual visit to the United Kingdom on the 4th day of Field Study 1.
The day began with a welcome address by the NATO Defense College’s Director of Academic Policy and Planning (DAPP), BGEN Wagner. The UK’s Minister for the Armed Forces, James Heappey, welcomed Course Members and emphasized NATO’s essential role in maintaining Euro-Atlantic security. He recognized that the Russian invasion of Ukraine had prompted greater reflection on the military readiness and capabilities of the British armed forces – a useful exercise for all NATO members, in his view.
Ms Joanna Vallat, Acting Head of the Security Policy Department in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) gave a comprehensive briefing on the “UK’s Place in the World” from a security policy perspective, and discussed the FCDO’s mission and core priorities. Mr Ayaaz Nawab, from the Ministry of Defence, then gave a presentation on the “UK’s Global Defence Outlook and Defence Policy”, examining the Defence Command Plan, and the UK’s place as a globally engaged country.
The next panel briefing, by Mrs Joanne Hamer, Head of the Euro-Atlantic Security Policy team, considered the UK’s commitment to European and Euro-Atlantic Security. Mrs Hamer highlighted the UK’s contributions to NATO, emphasizing that “NATO is the bedrock of our defence and security.” The presentation also addressed the UK’s contributions to supporting Ukraine. The last presentation, delivered by Ms Laura Temerlies, from the FCDO, dealt with the FCDO’s approach to post conflict stabilization, conflict prevention and reduction.
All sessions were followed by a Q&A session.
Closing remarks were given by Mr David Hogan-Hern, Director of the Euro-Atlantic Security Directorate at the Ministry of Defence. Mr Hogan-Hern emphasized NATO’s role as the “cornerstone” of Euro-Atlantic security, and underlined the importance for the Alliance to remain strong and maintain its cohesion and called for even greater cooperation between the EU and NATO.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Sofia Carvalheiro, PRT C)
NATO Defense College