Visit of the Baltic Defence College

On 8th March 2012, a group of 75 course members and staff from the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL), based in Tartu, Estonia, visited the NATO Defense College (NDC) in Rome. The aim of the visit was to provide the visitors from the BALTDEFCOL with an overview of the NDC, its academic programmes and daily activities. The delegation was led by the BALTDEFCOL Commandant, Brigadier General Meelis Kiili, an Ancien of Senior Course 109 at the NDC.

The BALTDEFCOL was established in 1999. Its mission is to contribute to the professional development of military officers and civilians by providing high-quality educational courses with a general focus on joint, interagency and multinational general staff. Thirteen years after its establishment, it has become an integral part of Baltic military cooperation.

During the morning the BALTDEFCOL delegation was warmly welcomed by the NDC Commandant, Lt.Gen. Arnen Bård Dalhaug, and by the Dean, Dr. Richard D. Hooker. The group then received an informative briefing in the Maynard-Thorn Auditorium from the Chief of the NDC Public Affairs Office, Lt.Col. Mario Masdea, who spoke about the NDC’s range of courses and other major activities. As part of the visit, the BALTDEFCOL group attended a lecture together with Senior Course 120 on the topic “Religion and Conflict”. This was followed by a Q&A session during which the lecturer, Dr. Petito, addressed salient points raised by members of the Senior Course.

NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Iliana Panayotova, BGR C)