In support of cooperative security, NATO assists partners and Allies in sustaining institutional reform through defence education. Toward the fulfilment of this goal, NATO organises annual Clearing House under the Defence Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP), to help identify and meet partner needs, seeks to develop synergies and cooperation between DEEP programmes[1], and to harmonise bilateral efforts.
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this year’s event was organised virtually using NATO DEEP Video Portal on 14-22 September 2020. A total of 99 personnel, representing 53 defence education institutions and NATO staff elements, from 20 Allied Nations and Western European Partner countries, participated in the seven-day sessions.
“As a strong programme, DEEP needs to stay in close touch with its partners. It needs to continue giving them the assistance they need to move ahead in their reform processes in times that have become more difficult. But most importantly this is to nurture trust and confidence between NATO and partners” said Dr. Gerlinde Niehus, Deputy Director for Defence Institution and Capacity Building Directorate, NATO International Staff Operations Division, in her opening remarks.
Since 2012, the Clearing House process has provided a vehicle for Allies and partners to coordinate support efforts. It has served to inform institutions and countries about the current status of programmes that NATO conducts with partners. It has also helped to align defence education requirements in partner DEEP plans with offers from professional military education institutions that are capable and suited to support their specific needs.
More about DEEP at www.nato.int/deep
