On 2 September 2025, the NATO Defense College (NDC) inaugurated Senior Course 147 (SC 147) and NATO Regional Cooperation Course 34 (NRCC 34), welcoming a new cohort of 111 participants from 36 NATO Allied and partner nations.
Held twice a year, the Senior Course and the NATO Regional Cooperation Course are designed to equip senior military and civilian officials with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complex challenges facing NATO. Through engaging lectures, committee work, and exercises, these courses allow participants to deepen their knowledge of the Alliance and the complex security landscape in which it operates. The NDC’s multinational and multicultural environment also provides Course Members with a unique opportunity to hone their consensus-building skills and to foster collective learning.
Opening the ceremony with his address, NDC Commandant Lieutenant General Max A.L.T. Nielsen reminded the audience of the College’s core purpose: enhancing their knowledge of contemporary global security dynamics while serving as a platform to forge new friendships, to establish lifelong professional networks, and to welcome perspectives that challenge their own. He emphasized that diversity is one of NATO’s greatest strengths and that these networks, built on mutual understanding, trust, camaraderie, and solidarity, form the foundation of effective international cooperation and multinational dialogue.
The College then welcomed back Her Excellency Elif Comoğlu Ülgen, Ambassador of Türkiye to Italy, who delivered the Inauguration Address. Drawing on her extensive experience and commitment to bilateral and multilateral relations, she highlighted NATO’s role as the cornerstone of collective defence and emphasized Türkiye’s efforts to safeguard shared security and prosperity.
The inauguration of SC 147 and NRCC 34 marks a new chapter in the NDC’s enduring commitment to developing collective strategic thinking and equipping future leaders to excel in an ever-evolving global security environment.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Britt Melinga, NLD C)
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN