NATO International Summer School (NISS) gathered international students and young professionals with various academic backgrounds, international speakers from Europe and North America, and a high media exposure and visibility. The event took place in Cluj-Napoca (the 2015 European Youth Capital), Romania, from 3rd to 7th August 2015 and it was sponsored by NATO Public Diplomacy Division and Ramada Hotel in Cluj-Napoca.

By providing a series of workshops, lectures and an active simulation of decision-making processes, the organizers created an educational environment where students and young professionals had the possibility to get a clear understanding of how an international crisis is managed in today’s world. By simulating what NATO’s response mechanisms are, what capabilities and options it has available and how the decision-making processes within the North Atlantic Council works, participants gained valuable insight into NATO’s role in the 21st century, its importance to national security and the role it plays in international relations. Different peace activities have been organized (press conference, peace wall of handprints, peace sign in Cluj-Napoca Central Square, peace manifesto) as August (the month when NISS took place) was named “the month of peace” within the European Youth Capital calendar. 

NISS 2015 focused on the importance of NATO’s close relations with its Partner States and the necessity of Allies in achieving NATO’s primary transatlantic objectives.

Speakers:

  • Eric Povel, Programme Officer, NATO Public Diplomacy Division
  • Radu Magdin, NATO Emerging Leaders Working Group
  • Oana Antonia Colibasanu, VP International Marketing and Europe Director, Stratfor, Romania
  • Silviu Rogobete, West University of Timisoara, Romania
  • Valentin Naumescu, Babes Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca and Former State Secretary in Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
  • Serban Cioculescu, Research Fellow at the Romanian Ministry of Defence, Romania
  • Alexander Moens, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, Canada
  • Marius Pricopi, Land Forces Academy “N.Balcescu”, Sibiu, Romania
  • Mircea Maniu, Babes Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania

Sponsors:

NATO PDD, Hotel Ramada Cluj-Napoca, Revisual8, SHARE Federation, Transilvania Cultural Nord-Vest