ABCD 2024

Will to Defend. Society and Defence

What factors contribute to a society’s willingness to defend itself, and how can these factors be strengthened to enhance national resilience? How can governments and civic organizations effectively communicate the importance of national defence to the public and what role community initiatives can play in cultivating a culture of defence and security within society? What is the role of reservists, citizens and the private sector in national defence? What role does civic education play in shaping public perceptions, and how can educational institutions contribute to building a more informed and engaged society? How can the experiences and perspectives of veterans and active military personnel be leveraged?

Speakers

Andrus Merilo

Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces

Benjamin Ben Ari

Commander of the Military Reserve Forces of the Israel Defense Forces

Heiko Borchert

Co-Director of Defense AI Observatory

Moderator

Susan Lilleväli

Undersecretary for Defence Readiness at the Ministry of Defence of Estonia

Quo Vadis NATO?

Way Forward