NATO Defense College personnel led an outreach activity to provide Lithuanian Armed Forces with basic knowledge of Strategic Communication and Public Affairs.
During an intensive two-day course, sixty Lithuanian Officers, Land Forces Unity Commanders and Public Affairs Officers, as well as Civilians belonging to the Ministry of Defence, learned about planning Strategic Communication and conducting Public Affairs activities.
The informative session took place at the “General Adolfas Ramanauskas Warfare Training Centre” in Nemen, Lithuania.
Lieutenant Colonel Mario MASDEA, Chief Public Affairs at NDC, and Mr Jan TECHAU, Research Advisor, educated their Lithuanian colleagues on several aspects of Communication that are gaining crucial importance in Military Operations.
The importance of perception, risks and opportunities in communicating, the new Media, the importance of timely and transparent information, and the evolution of Public Information to Public Affairs were some of the subjects dealt with.
It is clear from the current international scenario that military power is not enough for the successful accomplishment of the mission to restore peace, stability and security. The tool to win the hearts and minds of people is Public Affairs.
Broad public consensus is nowadays absolutely essential in order to reinforce military capabilities, ensure Force protection, and accept loss of human lives.
The course attendees showed a lively interest in the topics discussed, challenging the lecturer with pertinent questions and performing correctly all the role plays proposed.
LtCol. Mario Masdea, Chief Public Affairs and Protocol Officer, ITA-A
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN 