Finnish National Defense Courses

Finnish national defence courses (NDC) aim to enhance comprehensive security by educating highly influential individuals on societal preparedness and crisis management. Fostering cooperation among various sectors is an essential approach of the national defence courses. The courses are designed to provide participants with a thorough understanding of Finland's foreign, security, and defence policy, as well as comprehensive security knowledge relevant to preparedness and crises. The curriculum is structured within the framework of comprehensive security, as stated in the National Security Strategy (Security Committee, 2025).

National Defence Courses are organized under the National Defence University. The guidance concerning defence education, including national and regional defence courses, lies with the Advisory Board of National Defence Education. National defence courses integrate a vast number of experts and instructors from various ministries and other organisations forming a strong network.

National defence courses are arranged four times a year, each consisting of 15 intensive course days during four weeks. Participants gain extensive knowledge of comprehensive security through lectures, visits to relevant sites, and practical exercises. The curriculum includes expert-led lectures, group work, and visits to key national security sites, such as the Parliament, critical infrastructure, security authorities, and units of the Finnish Defence Forces. The course content covers a broad spectrum of topics, including foreign-, security-, and defense policy, governance, the economy, protection critical infrastructure, security of supply, and mental crisis resilience. Additionally, two-day refresher courses are organised for NDC graduates five and ten years after attending the national defence course. Besides main courses, special courses focused on educating individually defined audiences are organised by National Defense Courses.

National defence course participants are selected individuals holding an influential position related to comprehensive security of society. The participants in each course represent a wide range of sectors, such as parliament, government, private sector, media, education, culture, non-governmental organisations, and defence forces. Each year, the Finnish National Defence Courses collect nominations from various sectors of society. A proposal of the participants for the following year is submitted to the Advisory Board (MONK), which approves the participants for the upcoming year´s courses. The advisory board also provides guidelines for defence education and decides on the timing and topics of the courses for the following year.

The national defence courses have been organized since 1961 after the Defence Council approved a proposal for joint total defence courses for civilian and military personnel. Two years after the national-level courses, regional defense courses begun, led by local governors. Many of the principles of education and traditions established in the 1960s and the 1970s continue to be reflected in the national defence Courses today. Over 10,000 influential members of Finnish society have attended National Defence Courses, indicating a vast positive influence on societal preparedness and the ethos of cooperation over decades.

An essential aspect of defence courses is promoting cooperation. Besides strong networks established during the course, The National Defence Course Association facilitates maintaining and strengthening these networks. The National Defense Courses Association was founded immediately after the first course in 1961 as a link between individuals who attended the national defence course. Through association´s  activities, members can stay informed about current issues in foreign- and security policy as well as comprehensive security and stay connected to the larger network of NDC graduates. The association also publishes the “Maanpuolustus-lehti” (Defence Journal) four times a year. The journal provides members with the latest news from the defense courses and publishes articles and interviews on security policy topics. More information about the association and journal can be found:

https://www.maanpuolustuskurssiyhdistys.fi/

https://www.maanpuolustus-lehti.fi/