On 27 August, the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) hosted 30 staff members from the Finnish National Defence University Postgraduate Programme (FNDU). They were welcomed by Colonel (GS) Christian Bühlmann, Head of Diplomatic Dialogue, as well as Mr Alexander Jahns and Ms Natalie McNally, both Junior Programme Officers at the GCSP.

The participants enjoyed a couple of presentations on International Geneva, the GCSP and its activities, as well as on Switzerland’s Defence Policy. Questions and answers concluded this first phase, the participants’ questions were candid and straight to the point. In a second part, the guests visited the main assets of the GCSP. Captain (Navy) EMG Petri Heilanen, director of the Post Graduate Program, Head of the delegation, thanked the GCSP for its hospitality and the visit.

Finland has been a member of the Foundation Council of the GCSP since its creation in 1995. Finnish Officers regularly attend courses at the GCSP. This year, GCSP welcomed Finnish General Esa Pulkkinen, Director General of the EU Military Staff, a couple of participants to the executive education courses, as well as the 2019 Mannerheim Stipendiat from Finland.

The FNDU trains officers for the Defence Forces and the Finnish Border Guard. The main campus is in Santahamina, Helsinki with additional sites in Kruununhaka, Sörnäinen and in Tuusula. Prior to 2007, the school referred to itself, in English, as the National Defence College. The Postgraduate Programme of the FNDU is responsible for the planning, execution and development of the Finnish General Staff Officer Course and of other courses, such as the Senior Command Course, the Senior Staff Officer Course and the Chief of branch course.