The KYIV Week 2010 will be remembered as the edition of the 10th Anniversary. In fact, not only official Ceremonies but also the spirit of the participants made the KYIV Week 2010 full satisfying and effective.
Since the beginning of the week, the Inauguration Ceremony underlined the aim and purpose of the initiative, and the expectations of both Ukrainian and NATO participants. The welcoming address of General RADETSKIY, Commandant of the Ukrainian National Defense Academy, and the opening remarks of Lieutenant General Wolf Dieter LOESER, Commandant of the NATO Defense College, invited all the participants to do the utmost for educating and learning in the most efficient and effective possible way.
NDC Faculty Advisors had a close team working with UNDA students providing them with knowledge of the main NATO topics mainly focused on the New Strategic Concept.
The students showed their interest by challenging lecturers and Faculty Advisors with overarching questions that underlined different perspectives and expectations on the main topics regarding the Alliance.
Not only in the military and academic world, but also in the Media environment, a lively interest was again shown during the International Week.
An opening press conference was given by the NDC Commandant, Lieutenant General Wolf Dieter LOESER to provide journalists with a deep insight into the history, the purpose, and the goals of the KYIV Week.
This attracted significant interest, and generated coverage in a variety of media. Furthermore, the NDC Commandant participated in a number of targeted Media events and TV programme, allowing more detailed discussion of the aims of the International Week, the role of NDC more generally, and also of wider NATO issues.
A joint press conference was attended by UNDA and NDC Commandants and it was focused on celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the Kyiv Week. This press conference was held just before a stirring unveiling plaque Ceremony that took place in the UNDA Museum and a Celebrative Concert performed in the UNDA Auditorium; those two events gave the deserved solemnity to the Anniversary.
On Friday 12 of February 2010, the Closing remarks of the KYIV Week were delivered by Admiral Giampaolo DI PAOLA, Chairman of the Military Committee, who stressed the importance of such initiative to gain an open minded thought on NATO and its tasks.
After 10 years the KYIV Week is still one of the most important outreach activities performed by the NDC; educating the future management of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and Diplomats will present its payback in a long term period but since now the NDC Staff noticed an impressive improvement of students’ knowledge and participation. The path through a future of mutual understanding has been marked by the challenge to improve it more and more, in the coming years.
LtCol. Mario Masdea, Chief Public Affairs Office, ITA-A
NATO Defense College 
