Last week during NATO’s 2024 Washington Summit, Allied Command Transformation concluded the NATO 75th Anniversary Student Challenge, an initiative designed to harness the innovative ideas of the next generation. This year’s challenge called upon students across the Euro-Atlantic area to submit video proposals on a critical question: “How should NATO transform to protect YOUR future?”
A panel of judges from both Allied Command Transformation and NATO Headquarters sifted through the entries, selecting the top 8 proposals. These shortlisted candidates were then invited to elaborate on their ideas in a detailed policy paper.
The top three proposals were selected and these exceptional university students were awarded a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: a chance to participate in the prestigious 75th Anniversary NATO Summit in Washington D.C. There, they not only presented their unique ideas to senior NATO political and military leaders, but they also actively engaged with the Alliance’s future through a packed itinerary.
The Winning Proposals:
- Adam Dudas (Hungary, Tilburg University, The Netherlands) proposed an “NATO Industrial Consolidation and Innovation Initiative – Light in the Fog“. This initiative focused on restructuring NATO to better leverage the combined industrial capabilities of member states, fostering innovation and fostering interoperable defence systems. Dudas himself shared his vision: “Through the remodelling of NATO’s structure for defence industry cooperation, my proposal harnesses the power of national Economic specializations and democratic decision-making to form incentive-based partnerships that develop interoperable, modernized yet universally capable systems. By actively thinking about and openly discussing tomorrow’s security challenges through channels like the Model NATO Summit, young people can break free of the mind-set that takes peace, as the most foundational cornerstone of our society for granted. Crucial to shaping this future, will be a mind-set of creativity, needed to disentangle and overcome complex, multi-domain challenges.”
- Peter Banyas (United States, Duke University, United States) tackled the ever-growing cyber threat with his proposal “Securing Interoperability in a Cyber-First World“. Banyas advocated for deeply integrating cyber defence into military operations through strategic planning, real-world exercises, and collaboration with existing institutions. Banyas emphasized the need for a new approach, stating: “My proposal for deeply integrating cyber-threat adaptability into military operations can be implemented through strategic deliberations & real-world exercises, leveraging existing institutions including C2COE, CCDCOE, NCI Agency, CWIX, & Steadfast Defender. Since this approach relies on military operators to tactically adapt, in real-time, to cyber threats, it demonstrates that our future leaders need to develop cross-functional skillsets—bridging the technical, operational, and strategic. We cannot limit subject matter expertise to a singular domain if we’re facing an era of multi-domain and hybrid operations.”
- The international team of Emile Dhorne (France, Sciences Po Paris, France) and Mattheus Webster (The Netherlands, Sciences Po Paris, France) presented a joint proposal titled “Enhancing NATO’s Cognitive Warfare Readiness: The Role of Counter-Sanction-Busting“. Their proposal addressed the evolving landscape of warfare, focusing on bolstering NATO’s preparedness against cognitive warfare tactics employed by adversaries. They shared that they wanted to participate in NATO’s 75th Anniversary Student Challenge in order to “convey the concerns of our generation to the Alliance’s senior military leadership, particularly highlighting the growing threat of cognitive operations. We aimed to shed light on how social media and digital avenues, through neuro-profiling and targeting, are being weaponized to undermine people’s trust in our democratic and economic systems.” They also urged universities to “engage with NATO through model events” and to “foster student awareness and engagement with security issues.” Further stressing the benefit this kind of partnership can have, they suggested that universities “align curricula with NATO divisions” so that students can be better prepared for potential careers within the Alliance.
Notably, they also encouraged NATO to “heed the Youth Declaration from the Model NATO Summit, advocating for the establishment of a NATO Youth Council. This council would not only inform NATO but also serve an ambassadorial role, educating younger generations about NATO’s mission and operations.”
Beyond the Summit:
The winners’ experience extended far beyond presenting their ideas. They participated in the first-ever Model NATO Summit at George Washington University, where they represented different member states. They also enjoyed events like a dedicated NATO baseball game, an evening reception at the French Ambassador’s residence, and attended both days of the insightful NATO Public Forum.
Student Voices, Shaping the Future:
The student quotes offer a glimpse into the passion and forward-thinking spirit of the winners. Peter Banyas emphasized the need for “cross-functional skillsets” to combat the complexities of modern warfare. Adam Dudas highlighted the importance of fostering “creativity” to address emerging security challenges. Emile and Mattheus stressed the impact that NATO partnerships with universities can have on developing leaders, while at the same time urging NATO to listen to youth who engage with NATO and are providing bold and effective suggestions.
This Student Challenge serves as a testament to NATO’s commitment to engaging with future generations. By actively listening to these bright minds, NATO can ensure it remains a relevant and agile force in safeguarding peace and security across the Euro-Atlantic area.
