The first Academic Conference of the Intelligence College in Europe (ICE), organized by the Romanian Presidency, took place on May 4th, 2023, in Bucharest. The event marked the 30th anniversary of the ‘Mihai Viteazul’ Romanian Intelligence Academy (ANIMV) and highlights its longstanding commitment to intelligence training and education in Romania. Initiated by the Italian Presidency in 2022, the conference aimed to strengthen cooperation between the College’s Academic Network and the broader academic community. Due to logistical considerations, the conference was held in a hybrid format, with representatives from 10 member countries attending in person.
The opening session included introductions of network members and academic institutions, followed by a keynote address from the Director of the Permanent Secretariat, who underscored the importance of collaborative efforts in developing ICE initiatives, the need for specialized clusters of expertise, and potential areas for future educational and research endeavors.
A panel discussion on the future of intelligence education and research featured contributions from academics representing different countries that shared insights on key topics in the field. A subsequent roundtable focused on existing outreach initiatives at the national level and explored opportunities for further collaboration and development of new projects.
The next academic conference will continue to build on these foundations and will further enhance collaboration and innovation in intelligence education and research.