NPS Unites Global Leaders: European Alumni Symposium Empowers Alliances

The U.S. Department of State, under the IMET program, sponsored a significant symposium addressing international military education. This aligns directly with U.S. Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro’s vision of strengthening global alliances through education. The event facilitated strategic discussions to deter conflict and address power competition on the global stage.

Adm. Stuart Munsch, a key military leader, highlighted the crucial role of educational institutions in shaping the future. He stressed their capacity to foster critical and strategic thinking, describing them as essential for future readiness. The Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) was acknowledged as a vital contributor in this domain.

Building on previous symposia, the European event featured a packed agenda over three days. Participants engaged in plenary sessions, panels, and keynote addresses covering topics from energy security to climate change. NPS faculty shared innovative research, fostering collaboration and strategic engagement with global partners.

The symposium also served as a platform for reinforcing maritime relationships and reconnecting with NPS’ global alumni. Gen. Christopher Cavoli emphasized the significance of these connections, noting that the alumni network facilitates knowledge and idea exchange globally, fostering innovation.

In addition to in-depth discussions on security and defense, attendees cherished the chance to reconnect with peers and form new professional bonds across Europe.

Maj. Gen. Claudiu Dobocan, an NPS alum, underscored NPS’s role in advancing cooperative security in NATO’s operational and planning arenas. He praised NPS for leading efforts in relationship building and conceptual theories valuable for strategic defense planning.

A notable session focused on Europe’s climate and energy security. Panelist Kristen Fletcher from NPS’ Energy Academic Group shared vital climate research, highlighting its impact on military readiness. Participants visited Germany’s Schneefernerhaus Environmental Research Station, enriching discussions with real-world insights.

Fletcher stated that the symposium provided a platform to share global perspectives on climate security. The shared research illustrated the urgent need for partnerships in understanding climate impacts on military missions.

As the symposium concluded, participants expressed gratitude for opportunities to reconnect with colleagues and explore collaborative solutions to shared challenges.

NPS draws a diverse student body, enhancing skills and forming lasting personal ties. International alumni symposiums strengthen those bonds and address present challenges, underscoring a shared commitment to global security.

Tea Nikolashvili, a current graduate, emphasized the value of symposiums in building trust and professional networks that support both national and international security objectives.

Organized by NPS’ International Graduate Programs Office, with backing from the NPS Foundation and Alumni Association, the event distills NPS’s purpose. Since 1954, it has produced over 7,000 graduates from nearly 130 countries, contributing to global safety and strategic capacity building.

Danial Pick, IGPO director, remarked that Allied countries contribute immensely to NPS. Their presence enriches learning and strengthens future alliances vital in today’s landscape.

NPS continues to advance defense-related education and innovative research, benefitting both the U.S. and its international partners. NPS President, retired Vice Adm. Ann Rondeau, expressed gratitude to all who ensured the symposium’s success, including the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies.

NPS, based in Monterey, California, offers defense-oriented graduate education to military personnel and civilian leaders. Established in 1909, it provides advanced degrees and fosters transformative leadership. For more details, visit NPS.