On Thursday 16th January 2020, a group of 26 Liaison Officers visited the NATO Defense College in Rome for the annual Field Studies Planning Conference.
The main aim of this year’s Conference was to bring together the national representatives and points of contact for the Academic Field Studies Branch, in order to exchange information, good practices and lessons learned with a view to planning, coordinating and executing cost-effective Field Studies for 2020 that will meet the NDC academic objectives. Field Studies allow the SC and the NRCC to be briefed on national perspectives, as well as those of NATO, the European Union, the United Nations and other international organizations.
Upon arrival, participants were warmly welcomed by the Dean, Dr Stephen J. Mariano (USA). Further addresses were given by BGEN David Pincet (FRA F), Director of the Academic Operations Division; COL Søren KNUDSEN (DNK A), Head of Curriculum and Planning Branch; and COL Riccardo Brizi (ITA A), Head of the Academic Field Studies Branch.
In light of the constantly evolving security environment and the changing needs of the Alliance, the Conference updated the Field Studies programme to enable Course Members to obtain maximum benefit from it. The group also discussed logistic arrangements for future Field Studies, as well as plans to harmonize the academic programmes for the upcoming Senior Courses 136 and 137 with those for NRCC 23 and 24.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Marta Giornelli, ITA C)
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN