On 30 August 2022, the NATO Defense College (NDC) celebrated the inauguration of Senior Course 141 and NATO Regional Cooperation Course 28. Admiral Rob Bauer, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, delivered the Inaugural Address virtually.
The inauguration ceremony took place in the NDC’s Main Auditorium and was attended by a total of 107 senior officers and civilians from NATO member and partner nations who are attending Senior Course 141 and the NATO Regional Cooperation Course 28.
The NDC Commandant, Lieutenant General Olivier Rittimann, opened the ceremony with a welcome address to Course Members, encouraging them to take full advantage of their time at the College and highlighted that “now more than ever, we need you as future leaders with a capacity to ‘adapt’ and ‘think outside the box’”.
The ceremony continued with the Inaugural Address delivered virtually by Admiral Rob Bauer, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, from NATO Headquarters in Brussels. He underscored the value of partnerships and the military strategic developments that are happening within NATO. He emphasized that “NATO has an unparalleled ability to unite and to adapt” and “the NATO Defense College exemplifies these strengths…providing a unique opportunity to form personal relationships with people who have different backgrounds and nationalities”.
He encouraged Course Members to “stay curious”, and to “embrace all the different and new perspectives” they will gain at the NDC, as well as to carry their new friendships with them, as “these friendships are the glue that holds NATO and its partners together.”
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Sofia Carvalheiro, PRT C)
NATO Defense College