# NATO launches first Executive Resilience Course for senior leaders

- Source: Nordic Defence Sector (https://nordicdefencesector.com)
- Canonical URL: https://nordicdefencesector.com/en/article/nato-launches-first-executive-resilience-course-for-senior-leaders
- Published: 2026-09-25
- Author: Daniel Trangeled
- Type: News · Section: NATO · Country: international
- Language: en (original)
- Also available in: de (https://nordicdefencesector.com/de/article/nato-launches-first-executive-resilience-course-for-senior-leaders.md), dk (https://nordicdefencesector.com/dk/article/nato-launches-first-executive-resilience-course-for-senior-leaders.md), es (https://nordicdefencesector.com/es/article/nato-launches-first-executive-resilience-course-for-senior-leaders.md), fi (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fi/article/nato-launches-first-executive-resilience-course-for-senior-leaders.md), fr (https://nordicdefencesector.com/fr/article/nato-launches-first-executive-resilience-course-for-senior-leaders.md), it (https://nordicdefencesector.com/it/article/nato-launches-first-executive-resilience-course-for-senior-leaders.md), no (https://nordicdefencesector.com/no/article/nato-launches-first-executive-resilience-course-for-senior-leaders.md), pl (https://nordicdefencesector.com/pl/article/nato-launches-first-executive-resilience-course-for-senior-leaders.md), sv (https://nordicdefencesector.com/sv/article/nato-launches-first-executive-resilience-course-for-senior-leaders.md)
- Primary source: https://www.nato.int/en/news-and-events/articles/news/2026/09/23/nato-launches-first-executive-resilience-course
- Tags: nato, resilience, preparedness, radmila shekerinska, nederländerna, netherlands institute of international relations clingendael, nato defence policy and planning division

> NATO launched its first Executive Resilience Course on 23 September 2026, training senior civilian and military leaders to manage crises and maintain essential services. The programme, organized with the Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael, brings together participants from government, military, industry, and academia to strengthen cooperation and societal resilience.

![NATO Flags](https://imagedelivery.net/XO8UY-c6-LfWgEjQsN8IQw/0b026f80-6d04-4aef-a89b-ee69e9e59900/public)
*NATO Flags · NATO*

**NATO [launched](https://www.nato.int/en/news-and-events/articles/news/2026/09/23/nato-launches-first-executive-resilience-course) its first Executive Resilience Course on 23 September 2026. The course trains senior civilian and military leaders from across the Alliance to prepare for crises and keep essential services running.**

According to NATO, the curriculum covers emerging threats, critical infrastructure, civil-military cooperation, essential services and societal resilience. It is organised by NATO's Defence Policy and Planning Division and the Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael.

Participants come from government, the military, industry, critical infrastructure, academia and civil society. The aim is to share experience and learn how to cooperate effectively during a crisis, NATO said.

Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska opened the course.

— As part of this course, you will learn how to integrate civilian capabilities that are essential to our deterrence and defence, she told participants.

Earlier in September, NATO [publicly released](https://www.nato.int/en/news-and-events/articles/news/2026/09/17/prepare-protect-prevail-nato-publishes-baseline-requirements-for-resilience) its Baseline Requirements for Resilience for the first time.

## FAQ

**What does NATO's first Executive Resilience Course teach senior leaders?**

NATO's Executive Resilience Course trains senior civilian and military leaders to prepare for crises and keep essential services running. The curriculum covers emerging threats, critical infrastructure, civil-military cooperation, essential services and societal resilience, aiming to share experience on effective crisis cooperation. Last fact-checked: 2026-09-25.

**When did NATO launch the Executive Resilience Course and who opened it?**

NATO launched the course on 23 September 2026, with Deputy Secretary General Radmila Shekerinska opening it. She told participants they would learn to integrate civilian capabilities essential to NATO's deterrence and defence. This followed NATO's public release of its Baseline Requirements for Resilience on 17 September. Last fact-checked: 2026-09-25.

**Which organisations are involved in running NATO's Executive Resilience Course?**

The course is organised jointly by NATO's Defence Policy and Planning Division and the Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael. Participants come from government, the military, industry, critical infrastructure, academia and civil society across the Alliance, reflecting resilience as a cross-sector responsibility. Last fact-checked: 2026-09-25.

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