Posted on: 7/13/2023
From June 25-27, 2023, Mr. John Zavage, the Defense Security Cooperation University (DSCU) Security Cooperation Organization (SCO) Curriculum Lead, participated in the 2023 Interallied Confederation of Reserve Officers (CIOR) Summer Congress in Helsinki, Finland. During the CIOR Summer Congress’s Young Reserve Officers Workshop (YROW), Mr. Zavage taught a block of instruction on "Effective Intercultural Leadership," led a practical exercise on "Managing Intercultural Conflicts," and helped facilitate a practical exercise on "Negotiations."
As a directorate of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA), DSCU fully embraces the motto “Security through Global Partnerships.” DSCU staff and faculty, like Mr. Zavage, are sought after subject matter experts and look for opportunities to uphold relationships and provide education, support, and relevant information to the Security Cooperation community.
DSCU works to ensure the best outcomes for the National Defense Strategy through the planning and execution of unique and tailored Security Cooperation activities and programs, including engagements like the CIOR, and subsequent YROW, with the NATO Security Cooperation community. Mr. Zavage had the opportunity to directly engage with the YROW's more than 70 NATO reserve officers, including representative from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Denmark, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Estonia, and Finland.
The CIOR, which predates NATO by one year, is the world’s largest and oldest military reserve officer organization. According to the CIOR website, the organization is committed to advising and supporting “NATO on Reserve matters, promote Reserve Service and foster professional development of reserve officers."
The 2023 Summer Congress’s theme was “Credibility and Readiness” and featured a one-week program, which hosted approximately 600 reserve and non-commissioned officers representing 34 allied and Partnership for Peace nations. This year’s location in Helsinki was a fantastic opportunity to engage with Finland as the newest member to the NATO alliance.