Visit to the NDC by a Delegation of Senior Journalists from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan

On 21st November, a group of senior journalists from the Islamic Republic of Pakistan visited the NATO Defense College (NDC) in Rome.

Mr Hassaan Khan, Mr Farooqui Hameed Khalid and Mr Zahid Hussain, correspondents for the major media outlets of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, had been invited by the Alliance to visit its main educational facilities throughout Europe. They were accompanied by Ms Simone de Manso, Press Officer at the NATO Headquarters in Brussels.

The group was warmly welcomed by Lieutenant Colonel Alberto Alletto (ITA – A), Chief of the NDC Public Affairs Office, who provided a brief introduction to the history of the College. This initial presentation was followed by attendance at the scheduled daily lecture of Senior Course 121 (SC 121), entitled “Security perspectives of demographic trends”. The lecturer, Prof Gunnar Heinsohn, was later interviewed by the journalists.

NDC Dean Dr Richard Hooker (USA – C) then spoke to the group at length about the College’s mission and structure, as well as its courses and related activities. The ensuing Q&A session was particularly interesting, since it afforded the reporters a valuable opportunity to gain more detailed insight into courses at the College, as well as academic policy on course content and outreach activities.

The following talk was given by Col Giuseppe Morabito (ITA – A), Director of the NDC’s Middle East Faculty (MEF). This briefing on the role and activities of the MEF, which is dedicated to the study of NATO partner countries in the Mediterranean and the Gulf region, enabled the group to better understand how NATO’s new focus on partner nations is channelled into specific educational activities.

Dr Karl-Heinz Kamp (DEU – C), Director of the NDC’s Research Division, was the following speaker. He provided an extensive overview of the Alliance’s new partnership policy, followed by a dynamic Q&A session.

The final event in the visitors’ intense schedule of meetings and presentations was a round table, led by MEF Adviser Dr Florence Gaub (DEU/FRA – C), on NATO policy in the Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA) region. This enabled the journalists to engage in an extremely stimulating discussion on a number of issues, such as the perception of NATO in the region and the Alliance’s efforts to ensure that it is seen in an appropriate perspective.

It was a great pleasure and honour for the NDC to receive this visit. Such events not only highlight how positive it is for NATO’s partners across the globe to improve their knowledge of the Alliance, its policies and lexicon, but also exemplify the active engagement of the NDC – and NATO itself – in dialogue with these partners as a fundamental platform for developing mutual acquaintanceship and understanding.

NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Eleonora Fuser, ITA C)