Category: Europe

NATO is putting together a team of youth advisors, with the aim of expanding opportunities for the young generations to contribute to NATO’s public diplomacy activities and improve NATO’s effectiveness in engaging with youth audiences in a challenging and contested information environment.

As reflected in NATO’s public opinion research, younger generations across the Alliance are less familiar with NATO’s role and mission, making youth perspectives essential for raising awareness and ensuring NATO stays connected to the priorities and concerns of new generations.

The programme is part of the NATO Public Diplomacy Division’s objective to create long-term mechanisms that enable a continuous and adaptive two-way communication channel between NATO and the young generations. It seeks to harness input from a diverse range of youth perspectives from across NATO member and partner countries, not just those focused on political science and international relations.

As part of this programme, NATO will select 10 outstanding young leaders to join the NATO Youth Advisory Board for a 12 month term. Members of the Board will play a vital role in three key areas:

• Shaping NATO’s Public Diplomacy initiatives: Help design engaging outreach strategies for major events like the NATO Youth Summit and the NATO Public Forum, building stronger connections between NATO and young audiences.
• Guiding NATO’s youth engagement strategy: Offer insights and recommendations to enhance NATO’s long-term approach to youth outreach and involvement.
• Driving impactful youth projects: Develop and lead initiatives that raise awareness of NATO’s mission within youth communities, reaching beyond traditional audiences and addressing the security concerns of future generations.

Upon completing the programme, board members will establish the NATO Young Leaders Network, allowing them to maintain an active role in engaging with NATO and advocating for its mission. The structure and goals of this Network will be shaped by the insights and contributions of the Youth Advisory Board alumni.

This inaugural NATO Youth Advisory Board will launch as a pilot programme with the vision of evolving into an annual initiative.

Programme timeline and commitment

Selected participants will engage in a year long programme built around four key phases. Each phase involves dedicated activities, requiring full commitment and participation. NATO will cover the necessary travel expenses for the scheduled activities, but participants will not be remunerated for their participation in the programme.

• January 2025 – Prepare and upskill:
  The programme kicks off with a visit to NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, where board members will receive briefings designed to deepen their understanding of NATO’s mission and provide essential tools for their role. This experience will set the foundation for their contributions throughout the year.
   
• February to October 2025 – Empower for impact:
  During this period, board members will be expected to attend regular online meetings (typically once or twice a month), to brainstorm, develop ideas and collaborate on key initiatives. They will also be invited to travel to select NATO flagship events, with opportunities for some members to speak or contribute to NATO digital products. Key activities include:
  • Shaping the 2025 NATO Youth Summit – From proposing sessions and formats to taking on-stage roles like moderating, board members will have a hands-on role in designing this flagship event.
  • Contributing to the NATO Public Forum – Support the digital outreach for this major conference, which will run alongside the NATO Summit in The Hague, the Netherlands in June 2025.
  • Engaging with NATO stakeholders – Members will connect with key figures across the NATO Public Diplomacy Division and other structures, allowing them to provide insights and deepen their understanding of NATO’s diverse work.
  • Leading community impact initiatives – Members will have the chance to propose impactful individual or group initiatives within their communities, with support and guidance from NATO.
     
• October 2025 – Celebrate achievements:
  At programme completion, board members will be invited to an awards ceremony at NATO Headquarters. Here, they will present their contributions to the programme and pitch their vision and recommendations for NATO to take forward. They will also receive a certificate recognising their achievements.
   
• November to December 2025 – Establish the NATO Young Leaders Network:
  With NATO guidance, the alumni of the board will launch the NATO Young Leaders Network, fostering continued collaboration, growth, and input on NATO’s mission moving forward.

Eligibility and requirements
 

• Nationality: Open to applicants from NATO member and partner countries.
• Age: 18 to 34 years old.
• Public speaking and language skills: Candidates must be comfortable speaking in public, whether on stage, online or in various capacities. Selected individuals will have the opportunity to moderate or contribute to sessions at NATO events. Advanced knowledge of English is required, with French being an asset.
• Leadership experience: Candidates should demonstrate a leadership role within a youth-focused community in one or more fields, including but not limited to: peace and security, military, science and technology, digital communication, social media, countering information threats, climate change, space security, law, women’s empowerment, social activism, art, entertainment, or other related fields.   
• Social media and content creation: Applicants should be familiar with social media and basic content production across digital channels, as board members will be encouraged to create content, share insights about their role across digital platforms, advise/give feedback to NATO on digital communication and engage with new communication methods. While a high follower count may be a factor in the selection process, it is not a requirement.
• Prior NATO experience is not required: Prior experience with NATO is not required. Selected candidates will receive briefings on NATO’s agenda and priorities as part of the programme.

Selection criteria

NATO will evaluate applicants based on the following key criteria:

• Motivation for change: Demonstrated passion for leading positive change and creating meaningful impact.
• Civic engagement: Track record of involvement in initiatives that engage and inspire youth communities.
• Leadership potential: Evidence of leadership qualities and influence within a youth-focused community.
• Diversity of gender and nationality: NATO aims to ensure representation across different genders and nationalities.
• Range of expertise: Candidates will be chosen to represent a wide variety of professional backgrounds and areas of expertise.
• Communication skills: Strong experience in public speaking, online engagement and effective communication across various platforms.

Application process

To apply, candidates should complete the application form below and submit both a CV and a short video in English or French (maximum three minutes). Applications are due by 12 December 2024.

Enquiries can be addressed to engagement@natochannel.tv

Shortlisted candidates may be invited to a follow-up interview as part of the final selection process. Selected applicants will be notified by 23 December 2024.

APPLY HERE

The Director General of the IMS Lieutenant General Janusz Adamczak opened the meeting by emphasizing NATO’s commitment to continuous close cooperation with Partner Nations and Organisations. He stressed that “Partners provide key insights and perspectives on national, regional, and global security challenges.” Noting that Ukraine has been fighting against Russia’s full-scale invasion for 1001 days, Lieutenant General Adamczak thanked the Ukrainian delegation for attending the meeting and reaffirmed NATO’s support for Ukraine.

In the following speech, the United States Military Representative Vice Admiral Shoshana Chatfield expressed her appreciation for the vital role of NATO Partners in strengthening global security. Vice Admiral Chatfield reminded that the global nature of today’s conflicts makes Partners especially important. She also referred to the 2024 NATO Summit in Washington’s historic decisions on enhanced cooperation with NATO Partners.

In his opening remarks, the Director of the IMS Cooperative Security Division, Major General Dacian-Tiberiu Șerban underlined the importance of Partnerships. He thanked the delegations for attending the meeting and stressed that NATO and its Partners mutually benefit from close relationships. “In these dynamic and challenging times, as we face new and more sophisticated threats to our security and defence, NATO and its Partners have much to learn from each other and much to contribute to each other.”

The first part of the Bi-annual meeting focused on NATO efforts to work with Partners on security issues and the importance of resilience in enabling deterrence and defence efforts. The second session showcased opportunities for Partners to collaborate with NATO’s Science and Technology Organization (STO) and how science can enable peace and security. The session ended with a discussion of how NATO and Partners can mitigate and adapt to natural disasters, global warming, and other climate change-related challenges. The last session featured a roundtable discussion between NATO’s IMS and the Partner Military Representatives, where measures to increase coordination and communication between NATO and Partners were discussed.

At the initiative of the IMS, and under the auspices of its Cooperative Security Division, this meeting with Partners is held biannually. It provides an informal setting for a constructive dialogue on Partnerships, military cooperation and other topics of common interest at the military-political level. NATO’s previous Bi-annual Meeting with Partners occurred in February 2024.

On Saturday and Sunday 23-24 November 2024, Mr Ruge will participate in the 16th annual Halifax International Security Forum.

On Monday, 25 November 2024, NATO’s Acting Deputy Secretary General will participate in the 70th Annual Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NPA) in Montreal. Following a video message by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Mr Ruge will address the Plenary Session and participate in a Q&A session. 

During his visit to Canada, Mr Ruge will also engage in bilateral meetings.

Media advisory

25 November 2024, 10:20 (EST) – Address by the NATO Acting Deputy Secretary General at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, followed by Q&A

Media coverage

The NATO Acting Deputy Secretary General’s remarks will be streamed live on the NATO website.

Transcripts of the NATO Acting Deputy Secretary General’s remarks, as well as pictures, will be available on the NATO website. The video can be downloaded from the NATO Multimedia Portal after the event.

For more information:
For general queries contact the NATO Press Office.

More information about the Halifax International Security Forum is available on the HFX website.

More information about the 70th Annual Session of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly is available on the NPA website.
Follow us on X: @NATO, @RugeBoris and @NATOPress

At NATO Headquarters, diplomats and staff gathered, along with the Secretary General, Ukrainian Ambassador to NATO, Natalia Galibarenko, and others to underscore NATO’s continued support for Ukraine. They were joined by several content creators and artists who produced a piece of digital artwork highlighting the importance of the partnership between Ukraine and NATO, and the bravery and resolve shown by all Ukrainians.

Mr Rutte highlighted “Ukraine’s unbreakable resolve,” and thanked the content creators and artists for their contributions.

The digital artwork was produced by the content creators and artists.

”I am happy to announce the appointment of Radmila Shekerinska as the next Deputy Secretary General. She is a true believer in NATO, knows the work it takes to join the Alliance, and what it means to be a full member. I look forward to working with her as she takes up this vital role.”

Ms Shekerinska previously served as Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration and Minister of Defence of North Macedonia, including in the lead up to the country joining the NATO Alliance in 2020. She will take up her post later this year.
 

Mr. Rutte thanked Prime Minister Ciolacu for Romania’s numerous contributions to the Alliance. Romania invests more than 2% of its GDP on defence, hosts a NATO multinational battlegroup, and contributes troops to NATO missions in Kosovo and Iraq. 

The Secretary General said Romania has been “a firm friend of Ukraine” providing critical military aid, including a Patriot air defence system, and signing a 10-year bilateral security agreement. 

The Secretary General condemned the violations of NATO airspace by Russian drones and missiles, saying they “are reckless, are dangerous, and are unacceptable,” and adding that “NATO has reinforced its air defences on its eastern flank, and Allies, as we speak, are acquiring hundreds of fifth generation fighter jets.”