Panel Discussion “Enhancing National Resilience: Progress, Challenges, and the Way Forward”,

Date: (08-04-2025)
“Resilience shouldn’t sit only at the top — it has to live with the people. Strong communities are the foundation of strong national resilience.”
This powerful idea echoed across discussions during yesterday’s event on “Enhancing National Resilience: Progress, Challenges, and the Way Forward”, hosted by Rakovski National Defence College with the support of the U.S. Institute for Security Governance. The event brought together representatives from the executive branch, academia, and the private sector – a true milestone for Bulgaria's whole-of-society approach to resilience.
#CMDRCOE was actively involved, with its Director, Colonel Orlin Nikolov joining the third panel: “The Role of Academia in Building National Capacity – Expanding Engagement and Connecting Theory with Practice.”
Resilience is most effective when it is inclusive – involving humanitarian organizations, academic institutions, local communities, and government. The discussion focused on how academic institutions can contribute to national resilience by turning research into actionable policies, building effective partnerships, and reaching beyond the defense sector to engage society as a whole.
The event was opened by the Minister of Defence, Mr. Atanas Zapryanov, who underscored the need for coordinated national policies. Major General Stayko Prokopiev, Commandant of the Rakovski Defence College, also highlighted the College’s commitment to promoting NATO and EU best practices in resilience as part of Bulgaria’s national effort. The working sessions began with a keynote by Rebecca Eastwick-Haskell, Deputy Head of NATO’s Resilience Section, outlining NATO’s priorities in building allied resilience against emerging challenges.
CMDR COE is proud to support this shared vision and remains committed to advancing practical, inclusive resilience at both the national and NATO level.
News

First Prize: Simona Marinova, 12-year old
Second Prize: Damyan Tonchev, 9-year old
Third Prize: Nikol Marinova, 10-year old

Veles, North Macedonia – CMDR COE successfully took part in Exercise SEVEN STARS 25, held from 07 to 11 April 2025.
» read more
From 7 to 11 April 2025 CMDR COE, in close cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy, conducts Disaster Response and Consequence Management for a Radiological Incident course.
» read more
Hot Climate Change and Security Topics will be discussed from 01 April to 05 April in CMDR COE.
» read more
CMDR COE Successfully Delivers Mobile Education on Managing Contemporary Crisis in Ethiopia
» read more
CMDR COE celebrates a decade since its accreditation as NATO Centre of Excellence.
» read more
Experts from Bulgaria, Greece, Cyprus, and the UK met in Athens to discuss energy security and how to best protect critical national Infrastructure.
» read more
Quality Assurance Team of Experts from the NATO Allied Command of Transformation carried out 2-day inspection on Quality Assurance standards.
» read more
Bulgaria declared 18 March a day of mourning. CMDR COE Team expresses sincere condolences to the families of the victims in the tragedy in Kocani.
» read more
On the occasion of the 10th CMDR COE Anniversary we are announcing a contest in two categories.
» read more
The CMDR COE interns Asya ARSOVA, Can UYAR, Ekaterina POPOVA under the supervision of LTC Svetozar BOSILKOV, LTC Margarita KUMANOVA attended to “NATO Career Opportunities” meeting.
» read more
Students from 15 Nations Engage in Critical Training on Crisis Management and Resilience
» read more
CMDR COE welcomed on 13 February 2025 distinguished students from the Senior Course of Bundeswehr Command and Staff College.
» read more
On 12 February 2025 representatives from JFCNP paid a visit to CMDR COE.
» read more
As part of the series of events on the occasion of the 10th CMDR COE Anniversary, representatives from the CMDR COE and Embassies enjoyed the mounting climbing of Vitosha on 12 February.
» read more
CMDR COE successfully hosted a virtual meeting on 11-12 February 2025, as part of the NATO Modeling and Simulation Group-235 initiative on Space Weather Data Processing for Improving Resilience Models.
» read more
New interns were welcomed in CMDR COE looking forward for opportunities provided by the Centre.
» read more
The JALLC Advisory and Training Team (JATT) conducted an Analysis and Lessons Learned Training of the CMDR COE staff from 03 to 05 FEB 2025.
» read more
On 28 and 29 JAN 2025, the CMDR COE hosted Coordination Board Meeting of the Movement Coordination Centre Europe (MCCE).
» read more
CMDR COE and BULATSA Explore Synergies to Address Climate Challenges and Enhance Flight Operations Safety
» read more
A National Emergency Exercise in Jordan Unites Over 3,500 Participants to Tackle Traditional and Modern Threats
» read more
CMDR COE’s expert participated in the annual visit of the NATO Defense College′s Senior Course.
» read more
Course on Strategic Decision-Making for CRO, 25-29 Nov 2024
» read more