From 2 to 4 July, the NATO Defense College (NDC) hosted the Field Studies Planning Conference for the upcoming Field Studies in 2024.
The NDC hosted a visit of Liaison Officers to harmonize the academic programmes, and establish logistical plans and procedures for the 2024 Field Studies for Senior Courses (SC)144 and 145, NATO Regional Cooperation Course (NRCC) 31 and 32.
The aim of the conference was to bring together the national representatives and points of contact for the Academic Field Studies Section to exchange information, good practices and lessons learned in order to plan, coordinate and execute Field Studies for 2024 that will meet the NDC academic objectives.
The Field Studies Academic Programme is an integral part of both the Senior Course and NATO Regional Cooperation Course.
On 3 July, briefings and discussions on the upcoming Field Studies were held. Welcome remarks were delivered by the NDC Commandant, Lieutenant General Olivier Rittimann. Then followed an introduction on the College and presentation about the added value of the Field Studies, given by the NDC Director of Academic Operations, Brigadier General Ferenc Molnár, the Executive Coordinator of the event. Afterwards, a series of briefings and presentations were held.
To conclude, remarks were delivered by the Head of the Academic Field Studies Section, Lieutenent Colonel Aldo Rutigliano. A Q&A session ensued, as well as bilateral discussions between the participants, including individual sessions with the Field Studies Section team and meetings with the Senior National Representatives (SNRs).
Finally, on the final day of the event on 4 July, contributing NDC staff and participants visited the Quirinale Palace in Rome where they took part in a guided tour of the building.
The Conference was attended by national representatives of the countries that the Senior Course and NRCC will visit in the upcoming Field Studies, as well as delegates from international organizations, including NATO, the European Union and the United Nations.
The College is grateful to all participants for their valuable support and engagement during the conference.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Ms Zsofia Juhasz, HUN C)
NATO Defense College