Delegation from Royal College of Defence Studies visits Jordan

AMMAN — A delegation from the Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS), the UK’s premier military college, is visiting Jordan between May 14-20. 

RCDS was founded in 1927, and prepares senior leaders from around the world for strategic roles in government. The visit to Jordan is part of a three-week “Overseas Study Tour” to the region, and also includes travel to Israel, the Occupied Palestinian Territories and Oman, according to a statement from the British embassy in Amman.

The group will seek to understand how Jordan addresses strategic challenges at the domestic, regional and global levels. Areas of focus will include geopolitics and strategy, security, economy and innovation, crisis management, climate change and sustainable development, and Jordan’s support to refugees.

Colonel Will Davies, UK Defence Attaché, said: “The group has a wide and varied programme across Jordan covering strategic issues and engaging with senior leaders, commentators and Jordanian society.”

The group will visit a range of places in the Kingdom, including: the northern border with Syria, Azraq refugee camp, Al Youm dairy company, the National Centre for Security and Crisis Management, SESAME, the Royal Jordanian National Defence College, the Baptism Site and the Aqaba Special Economic Zone. The group will also meet with the National Policy Council and visit Petra and Umm Qais.

Head of the delegation Air Vice-Marshal Philip Lester said: “RCDS has conducted visits to Jordan many times in the past and we are delighted to return. I regard Jordan as an excellent place to learn at the strategic level and a fascinating country to visit culturally and historically.”

British Ambassador to Jordan Bridget Brind said: “I welcome this visit from the UK’s internationally respected Royal College of Defence Studies, which reflects the close ties between the UK and Jordan and our deep appreciation of the strategic role that Jordan plays in the region. I am grateful to our Jordanian hosts for their great support and engagement on this visit.”

The group comprises 19 senior military officers and directing staff including international students from India, Senegal, Japan, Italy, Kenya, the Slovak Republic and Finland.