On 22 November 2013, the NATO Defense College (NDC) in Rome hosted the fifth meeting of the Academic Advisory Board (MEF AAB) of the Middle East Faculty (MEF) directed by Colonel Giuseppe Morabito (ITA, A).
The meeting was attended by the NDC Commandant and Dean as well as by distinguished AAB members, including: the Ambassador of Qatar to Belgium, H.E. Ali Bin Jassim Al Thani (QAT); the Ambassador of Mauritania to Belgium, H.E. Mariem Mint Aoufa (MRT); the Ambassador of Morocco to Italy, H.E. Hassan Abouyoub (MAR); Rear Admiral Emil Efitmov (BUL N); General (ret) Dr Said Kadry (EGY); Major General Salih Sevil (TUR A, NATO/HQ); Major General Mohammed Awwad (JOR A, MEF/Advisor); Colonel Philippe Colin (FRA A, NATO/ACT); Colonel Kees Marselis (NLD F, MA/NDC Commandant); Colonel Daniel Gillespie (USA F, FA/MEF); Professor Mark Clark (USA); Dr Alberto Bin (ITA, NATO/HQ); Dr Jean-Loup Samaan (FRA C, FA/MEF); and Commander Angelo Paulo (PRT N, NATO/HQ).
Participants were warmly welcomed by NDC Commandant Lieutenant General Arne Bård Dalhaug (NOR A).
Opening remarks were given by NDC Dean Dr Daria Daniels Škodnik (SVN C), followed by Col Soebbing (USA A, FA/NDC) who presented the Annual Report of the NDC. In addition, MEF Director Colonel Morabito briefed participants – five of whom are newly elected – on the College’s overall activities. This provided a sound basis for discussion of lessons learned during the most recent edition of the Course, as well as of future syllabus planning.
After this first part of the day, discussion focused on potential improvement of the MEF Education and Outreach Concept.
The goal of the MEF is to address issues of concern to Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) and Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) nations, as well as to NATO as a whole, and to develop mutual understanding and professional contacts between NATO Regional Cooperation Course (NRCC) participants. Its dynamism and engagement afford an essential channel for outreach activities to MD and ICI countries, as well as other partners from the broader Middle East region.
Independent external advice from the MEF AAB on course content and related academic matters affords a consistent focus on the contribution of the MEF to high-level strategic education for representatives of NATO, MD and ICI member countries. Having an advisory forum of this calibre is extremely important: a constant evaluation procedure helps ensure not only that the MEF provides an eminently relevant academic framework for close links with similar organizations in MD and ICI countries, but also that voluntary contributions to the MEF are appropriately encouraged and coordinated.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Monica Fornari, ITA C)
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN