Few are aware that NATO DEFENSE COLLEGE (NDC) is based in Rome, in the military citadel of Cecchignola.
Created in 1951 by the American general Dwight D. Eisenhower for the purpose of providing common training to cadres, both civil and military, of the nations forming part of the Atlantic Pact. Initially located in Paris, at the École Militaire, with the exit of France from the NATO military structure in 1966, the NDC was transferred to Rome, first in the EUR district, subsequently, in 1999, in the current headquarters of Cecchignola.
The Senior Course is the main one of the NDC. During the course, the entire Senior Course departs for three field experiences / study in NATO capitals and headquarters to learn directly from senior officials. But the real lessons begin in the capitals when course members see and hear how nations do Defense policy.
There are two basic checks during the past few weeks, before passing the course. The first is a three-day political simulation at the North Atlantic Council level to address different contexts that could pose a threat to the security of the Alliance and that require military action. The second is the presentation of the study project of each committee, or an in-depth look at a topic concerning the security of the Alliance, approved by the NDC at the beginning of the course. Both a written analytical document and an oral presentation are required.
In addition, the NDC continues its integrated partner orientation course (IPOC) which began in 1992. For a week, around 25-30 officials and civilians from the Partnership for Peace (PfP), Mediterranean Dialogue (MD) and Istanbul Cooperation Initiative countries (ICI) join the Senior Course and are integrated into the committees. A stimulating week spent together with the members of the Course, so as to return home with a better understanding of how NATO operates, both professionally and in personnel management
In addition, the NDC offers a variety of short courses for a specific audience. The best known is the Course for Officers and Ambassadors, which is divided into one week in spring and another in autumn, with an additional week in Brussels. Started in 2002, it quickly became a very popular and useful vehicle for introducing senior leaders into NATO structures as well as for the challenges facing the international context (along with highly valued expert teachers, there are approximately 45-50 senior officials and officials. level).
Obviously learning does not end at the end of the courses. The classroom should be more of a mood than a place. In fact, education should become a long career, in which the individual who wants to learn readily has at his disposal all that is necessary to move to new levels of knowledge and understanding.
So it is clear that it is one fundamental institution for Alliance strategies.
The Roman headquarters also appear strategic, as in Italy many members of the political class, belonging to all sides, continue to wonder if NATO still has a purpose, or it would be better to dissolve it, as happened for the Warsaw Pact after the collapse USSR.
However, it would be the primary interest of NATO DEFENSE COLLEGE to promote its activities (at this moment there seems to be not even an officer in charge of public information) and become better known to Italian public opinion in order to contribute to the diffusion of the defense culture, so little considered in our country.
Photo: NATO
