The annual gathering of former NATO Defense College Course Members continues at the College.
The traditional three-day event opened yesterday with a reception at the Italian Army Officers’ Club, where almost two hundred “Anciens” from 16 different countries were welcomed by Lieutenant General Wolf-Dieter LOESER, Commandant of the NATO Defense College, and his Staff.
This morning, in the Main Auditorium of the College, the Seminar on “NATO’s New Strategic Concept” opened with an address by Admiral Giampaolo DI PAOLA, Chairman of the Military Committee, in the presence of General Vincenzo CAMPORINI, Italian Chief of Defence.
The CMC underlined the different aspects of the New Strategic Concept and how it will lead NATO to face upcoming challenges.
After a very interesting plenary discussion moderated by Lieutenant General Wolf-Dieter LOESER, the floor was given to Lieutenant General Sir Nick PARKER, Deputy Commander ISAF; H.E. Mr Martin KOBLER, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan, and Dr Samina AHMED, South Asia Project Director of International Crisis Group.
The three panelists discussed the topic “Endgame in Afghanistan?” offering the audience a military, humanitarian and diplomatic perspective on the Afghani situation.
The last day of the Anciens’ Seminar will be devoted to the annual meeting of Secretaries of National Associations, whose task it will be to define common policies to support the College in its educational mission.
The “Anciens” will provide crucial input for the NATO Defense College’s 60th Anniversary celebrations in 2011 and also for the new initiative, the NDC Foundation, which is taking its first steps this month.
LtCol. Mario Masdea, Chief Public Affairs and Protocol Officer, ITA-A
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN 
