NATO Advanced Research Workshops

A Strategy for 21st Century NATO

Vilémov Castle, Czech Republic
2002-2003

In the period of 2003-2004, PSSI, under the auspices of the NATO SCIENCE PROGRAMME (Cooperative Science & Technology Sub-Programme), together with partner institutions, organized a series of scientific workshops addressing pressing international challenges that the Alliance is currently facing. What has developed as the ‘Vilémov Process’, gathering together, in an informal setting, senior international experts, has significantly contributed to understanding and identifying future NATO capabilities needed for the 21st century security environment.

Short summaries can be read by clicking on the links below, final reports can be downloaded from this section as well.

1. NATO Future Security Workshop

2. NATO Asymmetric Solutions Workshops

3. NATO Workshop on Information Co-operation and Exchange

NATO Future Security Workshop

This workshop focused on NATO’s ability to engage and contribute effectively in combating new asymmetric terrorist threats in the post 9/11 security environment. Some thirty defense and intelligence officials, diplomats and senior scholars, representing twelve NATO and three Partner and Dialogue countries, gathered on 8-11 March 2003, at the Vilemov Castle, in the Czech Republic. The Workshop was divided into two parts. On the first day participants aimed at outlining developing threats and their implications for global security. The second day was devoted to the role of NATO in tackling these asymmetric threats. During the round table discussions, participants stressed the importance of intelligence and information sharing.

The two-day workshop helped to highlight some of the highs and lows of current NATO's strategy in the given area and proposed recommendations. The experts called for increasing NATO's involvement in countering new threats. To this end, NATO, according to the findings of the workshop, should fully utilize its already existing capabilities. Top

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NATO Asymmetric Solutions Workshops

On 7-10 February, 2004, the Vilémov Castle, Czech Republic, hosted specialists from fifteen NATO Member, Partner and Dialogue countries to discuss asymmetric threats and their implications for NATO. Included were former intelligence directors, senior foreign ministry officials, directors from international think-tanks, criminology professors, international lawyers and investigative journalists.

The workshop looked into the nexus between terrorism and organized crime. Participants stressed the harmful effect of illicit economies as a successful method of strategic destabilisation. The better part of the workshop therefore focused on how NATO should contribute to countering corrosive risks of increasing interaction between terrorism and various forms of organized crime to societies. Realizing the unique character of such a threat, participants ventured to suggest enhancing NATO and its allies’ capabilities. In their view public diplomacy, intelligence sharing and other forms of day-to-day cooperation should be stengthened. Top

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NATO Workshop on Information Co-operation and Exchange

Meeting on May 7-10, 2004, at the Vilémov Castle, Czech Republic, the NATO Information Co-ordination Advisory Group examined ways to better facilitate translational information exchange. More than ever before, the ability to share information is vital to counter new threats, especially in light of ensuing asymmetric warfare era. The Group in this respect accented crucial NATO assets developed over a period of time. According to the Group, NATO is in a unique position to evolve itself into a sort of information sharing hub. Participants further embarked on exploring steps necessary to facilitate better cooperation between civilian and military elements of NATO structures and the member states. Top

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