Twenty-five course members from 22 nations have successfully completed the annual Managing Defence in the Wider Security Context (MDWSC) residential course, which concluded on 26 June after four weeks of intensive learning, collaboration and professional development.
Delivered jointly by the Defence Academy's International Group and Cranfield University, the programme brought together military and civilian professionals from across the globe to examine the challenges of defence leadership and security management in an increasingly complex world.
The course explored a series of weekly themes, including:
• Introduction to Security and Defence
• Defence Delivery
• Leadership and Management
• Law, Ethics and the Future
Practical learning formed a key part of the programme. Participants conducted futures-based analysis of selected countries, deconstructed National Security Strategies, and took part in wargaming exercises focused on concepts such as capability acquisition.
Beyond the classroom, participants visited Navy Command, MOD Main Building and the Houses of Parliament, gaining valuable insight into the UK's defence and governance structures. They were also honoured guests at the King's Birthday Parade (Trooping the Colour) and were given the rare opportunity to attend the Defence Attachés' Reception.
They now join the Defence Academy's growing international alumni network, enabling them to maintain professional relationships and continue the important discussions and collaboration established during the course.
Lieutenant Colonel Dave Fielder, Course Director, said:
"With representatives from Albania, The Bahamas, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jamaica, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Kosovo, Lebanon, Liberia, Mauritius, Mongolia, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Oman, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Sri Lanka, the Turks and Caicos Islands, Uganda, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam, this is a truly global endeavour.
"At any given moment, there will be someone from this cohort awake and at their desk somewhere in the world."
He added:
"We have been greatly impressed by how participants have come together in a spirit of cooperation and with a genuine desire to learn from one another."
Planning for the 2027 MDWSC course is already underway, with participating nations set to receive invitations and course allocations in the autumn.
The International Section, part of the Defence Academy's International Group, delivers postgraduate-level programmes including the MDWSC and the Senior Strategic Leadership Programme, supporting international partners and allies in the strategic leadership and management of defence within the wider security sector.