US National Defense University Alumni Seminar held in Tartu, Estonia

From 24th-28th of June 2019, the National Defense University (NDU) of the United States in partnership with the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL) is conducting the Alumni Continuing Education Security Seminar (ACESS) titled “Hybrid Warfare and Grey Zone Operations: Expanding the Competitive Space” in Tartu, Estonia. The event brings together close to 160 participants from 48 countries all over the world, many of them occupying the highest roles in their countries, such as commander of national army, chief of service, and ambassador.

NDU's International Alumni Program aims to create a network of security practitioners around the globe who share a common background as former International Fellows at NDU and to provide continuing education on critical security issues. Currently, about 4500 International Fellows from more than 140 countries have graduated from the National Defense University and are serving in the armed forces, government, and industry.

Since 2011, International Student Management Office (ISMO) of the NDU has held continuing education seminars in locations around the globe as a way to provide critical continuing education on international security topics and allow International Fellows alumni to stay connected to each other and the University. Past events have been held in Morocco, Dubai, Bangkok, Poland, Vienna, and Cartegena. This year, NDU has chosen Estonia as their host nation and BALTDEFCOL in Tartu as their location.

The 2019 Global Seminar will address issues around hybrid warfare and the global implications of regional issues. The official programme of the seminar starts on 25th of June with the welcome remarks delivered by Major General Andis Dilāns, Commandant of Baltic Defence College and Vice Admiral F. J. Roegge, 16th President of National Defense University. MG Dilāns is an alumnus of the NDU’s National War College, Washington D.C. class of 2011 where he earned a master’s degree in National Security Strategy Science.

Throughout the week, various plenaries, panel sessions, and working group meetings will take place. The seminar brings together leading experts from around the world and from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives who will engage with the participants in a serious conversation on four fronts of irregular warfare – hybrid, strategic communications, cyber, and energy. Key European and NATO Centres of Excellence will share the latest thoughts on how to deal with emerging threats.

On Tuesday, 25 June, five new alumni will be inducted into the NDU International Hall of Fame, established on 1 April 1999. The purpose of this programme is to provide a prestigious and visible means of honouring NDU graduates who have attained, through military merit, the higest positions in their nation’s armed forces or who have held equivalent positions in government or multinational organisations.