On 27 October 2010 SC 117 received a series of high level expert briefings at the NATO Headquarters on strategic level security issues.
The highlight was the address by Admiral Giampaolo DI PAOLA, ITA N, Chairman of the Military Committee (CMC). He addressed the fundamental topics that NATO is dealing with: Afghanistan, the Lisbon Summit and the new Strategic Concept and the Transformation of the Alliance, among others. This gave SC Members the opportunity for discussion with the CMC, who will also be the speaker for the Graduation Ceremony in February 2011.
The first speaker was Brig Gen P. WOUTERS, BEL AF, Deputy Assistant Director, Plans & Policy, International Military Staff (IMS). He talked about the Future Security Environment, NATO Military Transformation and future Transformation goals. The presentation concluded with a very stimulating Q & A session.
The second speaker was Ms Radoslava STEFANOVA, Section Head, Russian and Ukraine Relations Section, Political Affairs and Security Policy Division, NATO HQ, who provided a detailed analysis of the current status of security relations with Russia and Ukraine, and the future of this NATO partnership. She underlined the high importance of the upcoming NATO Russian Council Summit in November 2010 in Lisbon. Many different aspects of NATO, Russian and Ukrainian defence and security policy were intensively discussed during the Q & A period.
The briefing by Mr HOWARD, Assistant Secretary General, Operations Division, International Staff, provided an overview on the five main NATO operations. This very interesting day at NATO HQ was concluded by Brig Gen Pavel ADAM, CZE A, Deputy Director Cooperation and Regional Security Division, IMS, who gave a presentation on Military Cooperation. Both presentations were followed by a lively and frank discussion with the speakers and Senior Course Members.
More about the Field Study:
First day – Visit to Supreme Allied Headquarters Europe (SHAPE) and the European Union
NATO Defense College 
