The NATO Defense College (NDC) in Rome hosted the fourth meeting of the NATO Regional Cooperation Course Academic Advisory Board (NRCC AAB), on 6th and 7th December.
Organized in conjunction with the graduation ceremony of the Eighth NATO Regional Cooperation Course (NRCC 8), the meeting was attended by a distinguished group which included H.E. Ambassadress of Kuwait to Belgium Nabeela Al-Mulla, General (ret) Kadry Said (EGY), Major General Carlos Branco (PRT), Major General Sandor Fucsku (HUN), Brigadier General Peter Sonneby (USA), Brigadier General Mohammed Awwad (JOR), Dr Alberto Bin (ITA) and Commander Paulo Angelo (PRT).
Participants were warmly welcomed by NDC Commandant Lieutenant General Arne Bård Dalhaug (NOR A). After opening remarks by NDC Dean Dr Richard Hooker Jr, who also presented the Annual Report of the College, the meeting was dedicated to a thorough review of NRCC activities. This provided a sound basis for discussion of lessons learned during the last edition of the Course, as well as of future syllabus planning.
The goal of the NRCC is to promote closer dialogue and intensified cooperation in the field of education. Its dynamism and engagement afford an essential channel for outreach to MD and ICI countries, as well as other partners from the broader Middle East region.
Independent external advice from the NRCC AAB on course content and related academic matters affords a consistent focus on the contribution of the NRCC to high-level strategic education for representatives of NATO, Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) and Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) member countries. Having an advisory forum of this calibre is extremely important: a constant evaluation procedure helps ensure not only that the College’s Middle East Faculty provides an eminently relevant academic framework for close links with similar organizations in MD and ICI countries, but also that voluntary contributions to the NRCC are appropriately encouraged and coordinated.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Eleonora Fuser, ITA C)
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN