Vox Collegii Magazine Volume XXIV; the Voice of the College Past and Present.
A WORD FROM THE EDITOR
Dear readers,
Welcome to the XXIV edition of Vox Collegii, the magazine of the NATO Defense College. In this publication, we give you a glimpse into the vibrant life of the College this past year through in-depth interviews, special features and opinion articles, as well as insights drawn from the individual experiences of Senior Courses 140, 141, 142, and our revered Anciens.
Gliding through pages ahead, you will find a riveting interview with LGEN Hans-Werner Wiermann, the former Director of the International Military Staff (DGIMS), as he reflects on his remarkable career path, and contemplates the future challenges of the Alliance. You will also gain a firsthand perspective on the Alliance’s military cooperation efforts with actors outside the Alliance, thanks to the insights shared by MGEN Francesco Diella, the Director of the Cooperative Security Division of NATO’s IMS.
Delve into a discerning opinion piece that examines the NATO’s gender perspective, by Irene Fellin, NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for Women, Peace, and Security. This edition also features an interview with Samantha Cristoforetti, the distinguished astronaut of the European Space Agency, as well as an overview of the last NATO Conference of Commandants held in Tallinn, Estonia. Also included is an interview with the Commandant of the National Defence University of Ukraine. Last but not least, enjoy LGEN Olivier Rittimann’s reflection on his three-year command at the NATO Defense College.
From its very first publication, Vox Collegii has strived to carry the “voice of the College,” just as its name suggests. The enduring objective has been to provide readers a window into the College’s endeavors and NDC’s intrinsic value. Our commitment revolves around staying relevant to our readership, while consistently delivering high-quality content. Hence, after thorough deliberation, it has been decided to transition the magazine to a purely digital format.
This transition is in line with the strategic direction set for the College’s future, as detailed in the Commandant’s Corner, which you will still find within these pages. Moreover, it will empower us to deliver content more frequently, enriched with dynamic formats that harness the potential of audiovisual tools.
Rest assured, the primary objective of the digital Vox Collegii remains unaltered. It serves not only as a portal for insights into the College’s activities, experienced directly by our Course Members, lecturers, Anciens, and staff, but also as a gateway to exploring NATO-related themes through high-level interviews, special features, and opinion pieces.
For now, I encourage you to delve into Vox Collegii’s current and curated content, and more. Enjoy!
Sofia Carvalheiro
NDC Public Affairs Office

Collège de Défense de l'OTAN