Meeting of the 39th NATO Defense College Academic Advisory Board Chaired by Admiral Di PAOLA

On 21 May 2009 the 39th meeting of the NATO Defense College Academic Advisory Board took place at the NATO Defense College in Rome.

The board is composed of the Chairman of the Military Committee, Admiral Giampaolo DI PAOLA who is also the Chairman of the board, Mr Jean-François BUREAU (NATO/FRA), Chief of Public Diplomacy; Lieutenant General Jan ARP (NATO/CAN), Allied Command Transformation Chief of Staff (ACT/COS); H.E. Ms Ginte DAMUSIS (LTU), Lithuanian Ambassador to Canada; LtGen (Ret) Michael M. DUNN (USA), President Air Force Association; Mr Chris DONNELLY (GBR), Senior Fellow at the Defence Academy; Min. Hikmet ÇETIN (TUR), the NATO Senior Civilian Representative for Afghanistan; H.E. Mr István GYARMATI (HUN), Director of the International Centre for Democratic Transition.

The Academic Advisory Board is a crucial forum for discussion of present and future NATO Defense College programs, including the revising of curricula and the continuous updating of activities in order to keep the education process in line with the real challenges that the Allies are facing today and will face in the future.

Items and events discussed during the meeting included the Annual Report, NATO at 60, the Conference of Commandants, and the Kyiv Week. The Board then turned its attention to the activities of the Research Division and the first full NATO Regional Cooperation Course, which concluded last week.

The Chairman emphasized the role of the Board as a fundamental support tool, giving prudent academic guidance and direction to the Commandant, Lieutenant General Wolf-Dieter LOESER, and his staff.

Admiral Di PAOLA urged the College to continue to look forward and pursue the right direction – looking beyond “NATO at 60”.

The Chairman also pointed out the significant role the NATO Defense College plays in the education of the future leaders of NATO and highlighted the excellent work the NDC is doing in this field. He concluded by emphasising the importance of giving the College as much freedom as possible to fulfil its three-pillar strategic mission: Education, Outreach and Research.

NDC PAO