Springtime in Rome marks the beginning of a new Senior Course (SC) at the NATO Defense College. A total of 29 countries are represented in SC 124, which brings together 78 Course Members (CMs) from NATO member states, as well as from the Partnership for Peace (PfP), Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) and Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI) countries, and also a number of Global Partners (Australia, Japan, Pakistan and South Korea).
The inauguration of SC124 was held on 25th February in the Maynard-Thorn Auditorium at the NDC, where the new CMs gathered to hear the inauguration address by NDC Commandant LtGen Arne Bård DALHAUG. The Commandant welcomed all participants and emphasized the need for initiative, cooperation, openness and respect, as well as flexibility, in order to gain the human interoperability skills that are crucial for strategic-level thinking and operating in a multinational environment. A welcome presentation was given by the NDC Dean, Dr Daria DANIELS SKODNIK, who stressed the value of NDC courses in affording participants a unique opportunity to think, work and act at the strategic level on a daily basis. She underlined the importance of the CMs’ own contribution and active engagement in establishing a platform for dialogue, consensus building and group decision-making: a forum is thus created for sharing ideas and opinions, for learning and understanding, as well as for appraising any initial misunderstandings or misperceptions in a fair and balanced perspective.
Following the inaugural speeches, the various College departments and the Course programme and curriculum were introduced by the Heads of Division and Faculty Advisors.
During the coming months, CMs will gain a more detailed understanding of international affairs and politico-military relations, the international security-related issues affecting NATO, as well as regional and global perspectives. The curriculum will also cover subjects such as the role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs), climate change, natural resource management and security, demographic trends, cyber defence, as well as future trends in warfare technology.
The format for Senior Courses is comprised of academic briefings from visiting guest lecturers and academics who give insightful and perceptive opinions on current challenges, complemented by relevant information on the historic conditions and forces that determine present-day dynamics in specific areas of interest. During the discussions, the Q&As and debates that ensue, participants have the opportunity to learn, to exchange views and to improve their skills in critical analysis.
The Course also includes three two-week Field Studies, which focus on key political, economic and security issues. The programme for SC124 provides for visits to some European capitals and Algiers; to NATO HQ and the two NATO Strategic Commands; to economic institutions, such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund; to the United Nations; to Montreal and Ottawa; as well as to the Baltic region and Moscow.
During their five-month stay in Rome, CMs will be able to explore the Eternal City, but the Course will above all offer a unique setting for them to establish long-lasting friendships and professional networks, ultimately for the lasting benefit of the Alliance as a whole.
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