On January 25th a group of 20 Course Members, Guests of Honour and Staff of the French Ministry of the Interior’s Centre for Advanced Studies (CHEMI) visited the NATO Defense College (NDC) in Rome, as part of their European Field Study.
The delegation was headed by M. le Préfet Jean-Luc Videlaine and M. le Préfet Jean-Martin Jaspers, CHEMI Director, and was warmly welcomed by Lieutenant General Arne Bård Dalhaug, NDC Commandant. Brigadier General Patrick Desjardins (FRA F) and Captain Jean Nicolas Gauthier (FRA N), the NDC’s Director of Academic Operations (DAO) and French Senior National Representative respectively, escorted the group to the Ismay Auditorium, where BrigGen Desjardins provided a briefing on the College’s mission, organization and academic activities.
NDC DAO was followed by Dr Guillaume Lasconjarias (FRA C) of the Research Division, and by Dr Florence Gaub (DEU/FRA C) and Dr Jean-Loup Samaan (FRA C) of the Middle East Faculty. The group thus had an opportunity to hear authoritative perspectives on a number of issues affecting current international security. Among the topics covered were the NATO Connected Forces Initiative, the crisis in Syria, the evolving situation in the Middle East, and its possible consequences for NATO. A stimulating Q&A session followed.
The Paris-based CHEMI is attended by OF5-6 officers and equivalent-level civilians from the national Police, Gendarmerie and Territorial Administration. Attendees complete a one-year course of study, which prepares them for leading positions in the Ministry of the Interior.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Eleonora Fuser, ITA C)
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN