The vision and noble sentiments are as relevant now as they were nearly 50 years ago. In those days, the Alliance was in its infancy, facing the challenges of the revolution in geopolitics that emerged with the end of the Second World War and the beginning of the Cold War. Today, NATO is adapting to the risks and opportunities of an international security environment that has been in a state of flux since the fall of the Berlin Wall. Key Alliance and geo-strategic issues are analysed with the help of top political, military and civilian leaders, as well as outstanding international academics. Many of the key players in the Alliance today, both military and civilian, are graduates of the College.
Future leaders pass through our doors every year.
The new NATO Defense College building. The success of our courses is widely recognised. Each provides a platform for information exchange and consensus-building, and promotes better understanding and cooperation between NATO and our PfP and Mediterranean partners. The team spirit generated during the courses in turn evolves into a useful network of contacts between NATO and Partner participants. This esprit de corps, especially within the various committees, breaks down pre-existing barriers and strengthens trust between nations.