From 18 – 20 May 2021, the NATO Defense College (NDC) and the National Defence University of Ukraine (named after Ivan Cherniakhovskyi, NDUU) jointly held the International Week in Kyiv in virtual mode.
The “International Week in Kyiv – virtual edition” was organized at the request of NDUU to bridge the “pandemic-gap”, and to ensure that their students become NATO-engaged prior to graduation this summer. Such virtual edition is not the same as an event with physical presence; however, this virtual modus operandi enabled NDC to connect with 14 other educational institutions in Ukraine, in addition to the NDUU.
The event was comprised of panel lectures from invited speakers and discussions that ensued during question and answer sessions, the latter was moderated between NDC and NDUU. The first day of the event commenced with opening remarks by RADM Bülent Turan, DCOS SHAPE; Mr. Ivan Rusnak, First Deputy Minister of Defence of Ukraine; and Mr. Mariusz Solis, NATO DEEP Coordinator. “NATO Today” was delivered by the NDC Commandant, LGEN Olivier Rittimann, followed by a Q&A session. The NDC Dean, Dr. Stephen J. Mariano, gave a lecture on “Strategic Thinking in the Alliance”, which capped off day one. Day two began with a lecture on “Innovation” by NDC Researcher, Dr. Andrea Gilli, and Mr. Philip Lockwood from NATO HQ. In the afternoon, Dr. Chloé Berger, NDC Researcher, and Mr. Joaquín Molina Martínez-Lozano, NATO HQ, lectured on “NATO’s Partnership Framework.” On the last day of the Virtual International Week in Kiev, participants received lectures on “Russia and Energy” by Dr. Marc Orzawa, NDC Researcher, and Mr. Julian Wieczorkiewicz, NATO HQ, Dr. Thierry Tardy, NDC Head of Research Division, and Professor Sten Rynning lectured on the topic “NATO 2030”, followed by a Q&A discussion. Finally, the 3-day event concluded with the closing remarks by LGEN Viktor Tarasov, UNDU 1st Deputy Commandant, and LGEN Scott Kindsvater, Deputy Chairman of the Military Committee, and LGEN Rittmann.
NDC Public Affairs Office
(Prepared by Mr Jose Moron Marchena, ESP C)
NATO Defense College