Study Visit to NATO Headquarters & Allied JFC

In February 2025, a UiT group, comprising five outstanding students who participated in the 2024 Model NATO course and two staff members, visited the NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, and the Allied Joint Force Command (JFC) Brunssum in the Netherlands.

At NATO Headquarters, the group partook in extensive discussions with NATO officials, focusing on pressing security challenges facing the Alliance and Europe, especially in the Nordic region and the High North. The UiT group had a highly productive meeting with Norway’s Permanent Representative to NATO, H.E. Ambassador Anita Nergaard, who shared her valuable insights into decision-making within the Alliance. Drawing on their Model NATO course experience, the students also participated in a North Atlantic Council (NAC) simulation exercise at NATO Headquarters, which augmented their hands-on skills in policymaking and diplomacy.

The UiT group's visit to JFC Brunssum provided an in-depth look into NATO’s strategic posture and operational readiness amid evolving security threats. Comprehensive discussions between the UiT participants and NATO personnel focused on preparedness and the challenges of collective defense in the current geopolitical climate.

The visit culminated with a brief but rewarding tour of the EU Parlamentarium in Brussels, bringing an exciting and intellectually stimulating visit to an end.