On Friday 3rd February 2012, the Graduation Ceremony of Senior Course 119 took place at the NATO Defense College (NDC) in Rome.
The event was attended by 76 Course Members from 28 different countries, together with their families and the College’s senior leadership, Faculty and Staff. Countries represented by graduates of Senior Course 119 include Member States of NATO, the Partnership for Peace (PfP), the Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) and the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI), as well as Contact Countries and Iraq.
To mark the end of the past five and half months of intensive study, Lieutenant General Arne Bård DALHAUG, Commandant of the NDC, opened the ceremony by briefly commenting on some of the Course’s most memorable highlights. The Commandant’s remarks were complemented by a short photographic video of the Course Members’ time at the College.
Among the distinguished guests at the ceremony was H.E. Ambassador Stefano STEFANINI, Diplomatic Advisor to the President of the Republic of Italy, who delivered the graduation address immediately after the Commandant’s introduction.
Ambassador STEFANINI outlined the challenging commitments Course Members will face when they return to their respective countries, and stated his firm belief that the professional experience gained at the NATO Defense College will stand them in good stead in the accomplishment of these tasks.
In the presence of Ambassadors, Military Attachés and military and civilian authorities representing 30 counties, Course Members were then called forward individually to stand by their respective flags and be awarded their diplomas for successfully completing the Course.
As Course Members received the personal congratulations of the Commandant, the Dean and the Flag Officers of the College, the finale of their months at the College was warmly and fittingly accompanied by the applause of family members.
With Senior Course 119 graduates preparing to take leave of the College, Senior Course 120 is scheduled to begin on 21st February.
H.E. Ambassador STEFANINI’s Graduation Speech. (PDF)
LtCol. Mario Masdea, Chief Public Affairs and Protocol Officer, ITA-A
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN 
