On 24th June, the NATO Defense College (NDC) had the honour to inaugurate the second Senior Executive Regional Conference (SERC 2) in Rome.
The Course, addressed to NATO member states as well as Partner countries in the Mediterranean and Gulf regions, once again brings together a distinguished group of participants: ambassadors, senior military officers, diplomats, decision-makers and influential thinkers.
Having an audience of this calibre affords the NDC an excellent opportunity to demonstrate the extremely high academic standards it sets, and the importance that NATO gives to such high-level events.
For this intensive and challenging week of study, dialogue and open discussion on strategic issues of particular relevance to international security, participants were welcomed by NDC Commandant LtGen Arne Bård Dalhaug (NOR A). In his welcoming remarks, the Commandant explained that, within the overall context of the NDC’s academic activities, the SERC has been created thanks to the efforts of the resident academic staff – in particular, of the Middle East Faculty – and the specific expertise gained over the last six years through the organization of the NATO Regional Cooperation Course (NRCC).
The keynote speaker on the opening day was Gen Knud Bartels (DNK A), Chairman of NATO’s Military Committee, who spoke on the topic “NATO and the MENA region in times of strategic change”.
During the week, Course Members will be addressed by other distinguished experts in multiple panels and discussion sessions, examining a range of current challenges (terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, etc.), security scenarios (Syria, Mali, Iraq, Afghanistan) and partnership frameworks (Mediterranean Dialogue, Istanbul Cooperation Initiative).
A forum of this sort makes it possible to share evaluation of strategic matters involving the Alliance in the regions concerned. The format not only enhances mutual understanding, but also offers ample scope for exchange of views and opinions. Conceived as a vehicle through which to exchange views and assessments of common concerns, without the imposition of a unilateral perspective, the Course helps promote better knowledge of the Alliance and its role as a common security provider.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Francesca Blasi, ITA C)
Collège de Défense de l'OTAN 
