{"id":11635,"date":"2013-10-19T11:30:00","date_gmt":"2013-10-19T10:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/the-nato-defense-college-hosts-the-60th-edition-of-the-anciens-annual-conference-and-seminar\/"},"modified":"2026-01-15T09:05:50","modified_gmt":"2026-01-15T08:05:50","slug":"the-nato-defense-college-hosts-the-60th-edition-of-the-anciens-annual-conference-and-seminar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/fr\/the-nato-defense-college-hosts-the-60th-edition-of-the-anciens-annual-conference-and-seminar\/","title":{"rendered":"The NATO Defense College hosts the 60th Edition of the Anciens&#8217; Annual Conference and Seminar"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/123_60thAnciensSeminar_1_1.jpg\" alt=\"60th Anciens' Annual Conference and Seminar\" \/><figcaption>60th Anciens&#8217; Annual Conference and Seminar<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper\">From Thursday 17th to Saturday 19th October, the NATO Defense College (NDC) in Rome hosted the 60th edition of the Anciens\u2019 Annual Conference and Seminar.<\/p>\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper\">The entire College was particularly happy to join NDC <a class='photo' href='\/images\/123_60thAnciensSeminar_2a_2.jpg' rel='lightbox' title= 'Lt Gen Dalhaug welcomes participants to the 60th Conference and Seminar of Anciens.'>Commandant<\/a> LtGen Arne B\u00e5rd Dalhaug (NOR A), as President of the Anciens\u2019 Association, in welcoming a large group of Anciens to mark this special occasion.<\/p>\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper\">The academic highlight of the reunion was Friday\u2019s Seminar, attended by Anciens, Senior Course 123 (SC 123) and NDC Staff, the main session of which focused on the topic \u201cThe Revolutions in the Arab World\u201d. Proceedings were opened by LtGen Dalhaug, who took pleasure in giving the floor to the new <a class='photo' href='\/images\/123_60thAnciensSeminar_3_2.jpg' rel='lightbox' title= ' The Dean, Dr Daria Daniels \u0160kodnik, addresses the audience.'>Dean<\/a>, Dr Daria Daniels \u0160kodnik (SVN C). The Dean\u2019s main message was the vital role played by the ability to communicate across cultures &#8211; meaning not only national, but also institutional cultures &#8211; in order to preserve peace and stability. She explained why the NATO Defense College is uniquely qualified to ensure that this ability is appropriately developed. After the Dean\u2019s address, Col Giuseppe Morabito (ITA A), Head of the NDC\u2019s Middle East Faculty (MEF), introduced H.E. Admiral (ret) Giampaolo Giampaolo <a class='photo' href='\/images\/123_60thAnciensSeminar_4_2.jpg' rel='lightbox' title='Admiral Di Paola answers questions following his lecture. (From the left. Adm Di Paola and Col Morabito)'>Di Paola<\/a> (ITA N), former Minister of Defence of Italy. Admiral Di Paola\u2019s incisive and highly topical presentation, entitled \u201cNATO\u2019s Evolution &#8211; The Way Ahead\u201d, set the scene for a lively discussion and for the specific focus of the following lectures.<\/p>\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper\">For the second session of the morning, Col Morabito introduced Prof Fawaz A. <a class='photo' href='\/images\/123_60thAnciensSeminar_5_2.jpg' rel='lightbox' title= 'Prof Gerges speaks about current trends in the Arab world.'>Gerges<\/a> (USA C), Professor of Middle Eastern Politics and International Relations at the London School of Economics and Political Science, and  Dr Andreas <a class='photo' href='\/images\/123_60thAnciensSeminar_6_2.jpg' rel='lightbox' title= 'Dr Jacobs during the Q&#038;A session'>Jacobs<\/a> (DEU C), Faculty Advisor at the MEF. Both speakers offered a fascinating update on current trends and events in the Arab world. This part of the Seminar concluded with an extremely thought-provoking Q&#038;A session. <\/p>\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper\">In the afternoon, the Anciens\u2019 Annual General Meeting was introduced by H.E. Mr Roman <a class='photo' href='\/images\/123_60thAnciensSeminar_7_2.jpg' rel='lightbox' title= 'The Commandant and Dean with (from l. to r.) the Ambassador and Minister of Defence of Slovenia'>Jakic<\/a> (SVN C), Minister of Defence of Slovenia, who visited the College for the first time, accompanied by the Ambassador of Slovenia to Italy, H.E. Iztok Mirosic. The <a class='photo' href='\/images\/123_60thAnciensSeminar_7b_2.jpg' rel='lightbox' title= 'H.E. Mr Roman Jakic (centre) with NDC Commandant Lt Gen Dalhaug and Dean Dr Daniels Skodnik, during his introduction to the Anciens&#39; Annual General Meeting.'>Minister<\/a> acknowledged the significant contribution made by NDC Anciens to the Alliance\u2019s overall unity and cohesion. Mr Jakic also took the opportunity to congratulate Dr Daniels \u0160kodnik on her appointment as Dean, and to present the new Slovenian Anciens&#8217; Association.<\/p>\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper\">This special anniversary was marked on Friday evening by a <a class='photo' href='\/images\/123_60thAnciensSeminar_8_2.jpg' rel='lightbox' title= 'The Italian Army Band, led by Maestro Antonella Bona, performs for an appreciative audience.'>concert<\/a> of the Italian Army Band, whose bravura was brilliantly showcased under the dynamic leadership of Maestro Antonella Bona. The concert, offered to the NDC and Anciens by Italy as Host Nation, was graciously authorized by the Italian Defence General Staff. Among the distinguished international audience were military and political dignitaries, who were joined for this memorable occasion by the whole of the NDC Staff. <\/p>\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper\">On Saturday morning, the very full programme for this year\u2019s Seminar concluded with a visit to Ostia Antica, organized in coordination with the College Art &#038; History Programme. The visit was a great success with all concerned &#8211; Anciens, SC 123 and College Staff.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"eplus-wrapper\">The NDC Anciens\u2019 Association counts more than 6,800 Anciens all over the world, who have attended the Senior Course over the years. Their lasting ties with the College, and the professional network that they provide to current Course Members, add great value to the educational experience offered by the NDC, helping to build firm friendships. Many Anciens hold positions of great responsibility in the civil services of their respective nations or in the Alliance &#8211; a fitting reflection of the rigorous educational standards set by the College, and of their importance for participating nations. In this overall setting, the Anciens\u2019 Seminar provides an excellent forum for former NDC Course Members not only to discuss their insights into NATO-related matters, but also to share memories of the instructive and stimulating time they spent at the College.<\/p>\n<p><em>NDC Public Affairs Office<br \/>(Prepared by Ms Monica Fornari, ITA C)<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>60th Anciens&#8217; Annual Conference and Seminar From Thursday 17th to Saturday 19th October, the NATO Defense College (NDC)<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","editor_plus_copied_stylings":"{}","_EventAllDay":false,"_EventTimezone":"","_EventStartDate":"","_EventEndDate":"","_EventStartDateUTC":"","_EventEndDateUTC":"","_EventShowMap":false,"_EventShowMapLink":false,"_EventURL":"","_EventCost":"","_EventCostDescription":"","_EventCurrencySymbol":"","_EventCurrencyCode":"","_EventCurrencyPosition":"","_EventDateTimeSeparator":"","_EventTimeRangeSeparator":"","_EventOrganizerID":[],"_EventVenueID":[],"_OrganizerEmail":"","_OrganizerPhone":"","_OrganizerWebsite":"","_VenueAddress":"","_VenueCity":"","_VenueCountry":"","_VenueProvince":"","_VenueState":"","_VenueZip":"","_VenuePhone":"","_VenueURL":"","_VenueStateProvince":"","_VenueLat":"","_VenueLng":"","_VenueShowMap":false,"_VenueShowMapLink":false,"_themeisle_gutenberg_block_has_review":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"post_badge":[],"class_list":["post-11635","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news"],"featured_image_src":null,"author_info":{"display_name":"NDC","author_link":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/fr\/author\/admin_3rwqf6tj\/"},"modified_by":null,"author_meta":{"display_name":"NDC","author_link":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/fr\/author\/admin_3rwqf6tj\/"},"featured_img":null,"featured_image_urls":{"full":"","thumbnail":"","medium":"","medium_large":"","large":"","1536x1536":"","2048x2048":"","trp-custom-language-flag":"","morenews-featured":"","morenews-large":"","morenews-medium":""},"category_info":"<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/fr\/category\/news\/\" rel=\"category tag\">News<\/a>","tag_info":"News","comment_count":0,"coauthors":[],"tax_additional":{"categories":{"linked":["<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/fr\/category\/news\/\" class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">News<\/a>"],"unlinked":["<span class=\"advgb-post-tax-term\">News<\/span>"]}},"relative_dates":{"created":"Publi\u00e9 13 ans il y a","modified":"Mis \u00e0 jour 6 mois il y a"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Publi\u00e9 le octobre 19, 2013","modified":"Mise \u00e0 jour le janvier 15, 2026"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Publi\u00e9 le octobre 19, 2013 11:30","modified":"Mise \u00e0 jour le janvier 15, 2026 09:05"},"featured_img_caption":"","series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11635","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11635"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11635\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11635"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11635"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11635"},{"taxonomy":"post_badge","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.ndc.nato.int\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_badge?post=11635"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}