From 2 to 6 December 2019, the NATO Defense College held the Negotiation, Mediation and Decision-Making (NMDX) Exercise: A five-day exercise providing Senior Course 135 Members with the opportunity to examine NATO’s role in Crisis Response Operations and the Alliance’s organization and procedures in crisis management situations.
Course Members were divided into five working groups (WG) which progressed through the NMDX simultaneously, simulating different NATO bodies (Political Committee, Military Committee and the North Atlantic Council).
The WGs were coordinated by LGEN (ret) Jo Godderij, former Director-General International Military Staff (IMS); LGEN (ret) Antonio Li Gobbi, former Director Operations at IMS; Mr Ilay Ferrier, former Head Crisis Response Systems, Plans and Ex Section/Ops Div IS; Mr Ted Whiteside, former Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Public Diplomacy; LGEN (ret) Jan Broeks, former Director-General IMS; and LGEN (ret) Michel Yakovleff, former VCOS SHAPE.
The exercise scenario is a generic one in which Course Members simulate NATO’s Crisis Management Process and practice negotiation, mediation and decision-making techniques. During the exercise, Senior Mentors gave valuable advice and feedback to Course Members.
The aim of the NMDX is to broaden CMs’ knowledge of NATO’s crisis management and decision-making processes, understanding group dynamics during multinational negotiations and improving consensus-building communication, management and leadership skills.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Mr Matteo Acciaccarelli, ITA C)
NATO Defense College