On September 11, the William J. Perry Center for Hemispheric Defense Studies launched the residential phase of both its 2023 Defense Governance and 2023 Strategy and Defense Policy courses, welcoming more than 90 participants from 12 countries to National Defense University.

“The relevance and urgency of these courses is based on the current threat landscape we face in the Americas,” Perry Center Director Paul Angelo noted in his welcome address. “In an increasingly interconnected world, challenges such as cyber attacks, political polarization, disinformation, human trafficking, transnational organized crime, and climate change demand a united response and preparedness. The education you receive here will equip you not only to understand these problems, but also to lead efforts to tackle them at their root when you return to your home countries.”

The Strategy and Defense Policy course, led by Professor David Spencer, bolsters knowledge and understanding of security and defense strategy and policy formulation that fosters international cooperation and regional security. Professor William Godnick is the deputy course director, assisted by facilitators, Professor Celina Realuyo and Colonel Barbara Fick.

The Defense Governance course, led by Professor Luis Bitencourt, fosters effective and sustainable security contributions and increased ministerial capacity through improved institutional governance of security and defense sectors. Professor Arturo Sotomayor is the deputy course director, assisted by facilitators Paola Di Chiaro of Argentina, Dr. Jacintho Maia of Brazil, and Dr. Juan Carlos Ruiz of Colombia.

Partner nations represented in these courses include Argentina, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, and Peru.