On 1st December 2017, the Civil Servants’ Course of the Baltic Defence College held a Graduation Ceremony. It is already 13th course since 2001 and within 122 graduates in total.

The course is designed for civil servants from security and defence related organizations with an aim to improve their professional contribution to their job functions in respective ministries and agencies. The course also plays an important role in building civil-military synergy and improving common understanding how to tackle contemporary threats together.

Graduation Ceremony was honoured by the attendance of high level guests: Mr. Kristjan Prikk, Undersecretary for Defence Policy of the Ministry of Defence of Estonia, Mr. Janis Karlsbergs, Undersecretary of State,Policy Director of the Ministry of Defence of Latvia, Mr. Arnis Jurševics, Ministry of the Interior of Republic of Latvia, Sectoral Policy Department Director and H.E. Mr. Giedrius Apuokas, Ambassador of Lithuania to Estonia.

This year, seven graduates from very diverse experiences and professional backgrounds, including from the Ministry of Interior, received their diplomas. During the ceremony individual students were also recognised for their outstanding overall academic performance – Mr. Marko Brügel was awarded with the award ’The Best Student’ and Mr. Mārtiņš Spūlis was recognized for his excellent performance as the The Class Leader.

Mr. Mārtiņš Spūlis highlighted the opportunities created by CSC as well as the challenge for civilians to work together with the military Joint Command and General Staff Course counterparts coming from 12 countries in multiple study modules – Fundamentals and Components, International Relations, International Law and Allied Joint Operations. He also pointed out three unique opportunities to enhance their understanding of the Baltic states’ defence policies and challenges. Firstly, the participation at the Riga Conference 2017, secondly the Baltic Defence Study Trip, which took them to the Ministries of Defence of the three Baltic states and to relevant military bases in the region. Last but not least, the staff ride to Tapa military base in Estonia as a part of their Defense Management education module. The students appreciated knowledge gained from deepending understanding of International security and strategic issues achieved through several educational activities, as well as they highly valued Module on Critical thinking and Communication.

Baltic Defence College and the College staff wishes good luck to all Civil Servants in their future endeavours and a very merry holiday season to the students and their families.

See more photos here.