Baltic Defence College’s 20th Anniversary Celebrations

The Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL) was officially inaugurated on 25th of February 1999. The Senior Staff Course 1999/2000 – the very first course of the College was composed of 32 participants from 8 countries.It was the beginning of the joint project of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania leading to further development of the College as a well-recognised Professional Military Education institution.

This year, the College celebrates its 20th anniversary. During its 20 years of existence, the College has matured and morphed into the most successful common defence project of the Baltic states contributing to the security and defence of those three countries as well as NATO Allied and Partner nations. As of today, BALTDEFCOL has close to1400 graduates from more than 40 countries. There are four core coursescurrently conducted at the College on a regular basis with an additional fifth course starting in autumn 2019educating both military and civilian personnel within comprehensive approach to security.

To recognise this important milestone, a series of events and activities will be organised throughout the year.

The College faculty and students joined by external guests willstart the anniversary celebrations on 22nd of February with a launch of the new edition of BALTDEFCOL History Book during which we will reflect upon the history of the College and the progress achieved in the past two decades.

The Anniversary programme will continue on 26th of February with the Induction of a new member to the BALTDEFCOL Hall of Fame. On the same day, we will hold a reception in honour of our beloved College celebrating its 20th birthday.

To recognise and acknowledgethe staff and faculty, both past and present, an Anniversary Ball will take place at the beginning of March. It is the selfless contribution and dedication of those people that makes the College what it is today - a Professional Military Education institution providing high-quality education to civilian and military leaders, continuously contributing to the security and defence of the Baltic Sea region and beyond.

In June 2019, a joint graduation of the Higher Command Studies Course, the Joint Command and General Staff Course and the Civil Servants’ Course will serve as a culmination of the anniversary celebrations. It will bepreceded by the inauguration of BALTDEFCOLnew flag symbolising the journey of the College and dedication of a conference hall to BALTDEFCOL’s 1st Commandant BG (ret) Michael H. Clemmesen.

An exhibition displaying the story of the College is held in front of the main hall of the Estonian Defence College throughout the year.