On 25th–26th of September 2019, the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL) represented by Colonel Ilmar Tamm and Dr Zdzislaw Sliwa participated in the Annual Nordic-Baltic Conference of Commandants. The Conference was conducted in Helsinki and was hosted by Major General Jari Kallio, Rector of the Finnish National Defence University.

Photo by Finnish National Defence University

During the conference, the BALTDEFCOL delegation, Rear Admiral Henrik Ryberg, Commandant of the Royal Danish Defence College, Captain (Navy) Lars Arne Aulie, Deputy Commandant of the Norwegian Defence University College and Ewa Skoog Haslum, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Swedish Defence University presented current developments within the military education in the respective Professional Military Education (PME) institutions.

This year’s conference was focused on sharing experiences related to the curricula and methodology related to education of leadership in respective military academies. The leaders of respective organizations, recognizing the need to cooperate, agreed to preserve continuous support in delivering education by sending subject matter experts based on educational needs.

The Annual Nordic-Baltic Conference of Commandants is a regional academic event facilitating closer cooperation among the academic institutions. Especially important is discussion about common areas of interest within teaching future leaders and commanders as those PME are possessing differing models of education allowing to learn from each other. It is very effective in improving mutual awareness related to education and sharing best practices.