Australia will partner with the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence to help strengthen NATO’s capacity to address hybrid threats and counter disinformation.
The Centre, based in Riga, Latvia, is a multinational organisation whose mission is to carry out research, analysis and training, and develop technical expertise, in order to build the strategic communications capabilities of NATO, NATO allies and NATO partners.
Australia will initially contribute to research conducted at the Centre through a seconded Australian official who will arrive in May. Australia has also begun the process of becoming a long term contributing partner of the Centre.
The importance of improving strategic communications has been underscored by Russia’s use of disinformation and propaganda during its illegal and unprovoked war against Ukraine. Senator Marise Payne, Minister for Foreign Affairs, discussed these challenges with the NATO Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg.
Australia’s cooperation with the Centre aims to deepen insights into the strategic communications and security challenges faced by NATO, NATO Allies and partners, and reinforce Australia’s support for NATO. The government will offer the Centre a clear-eyed view of the geostrategic dynamics in the Indo-Pacific and its implications for NATO.
Australia is an Enhanced Opportunities Partner of NATO, working together on interoperability, take part in some NATO military training and exercise programs, and share views on issues of mutual interest.
Australia’s engagement also highlights our strong bilateral relationship with Latvia and our shared commitment to democracy, human rights, and the international rules-based order.
The Australian Government released a statement saying that it is forward to working and partnering with NATO’s Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence to combat the scourge of disinformation and other hybrid threats.
NATO Strategic Communications is the coordinated and appropriate use of NATO communications activities and capabilities in support of Alliance policies, operations and activities, and in order to advance NATO’s aims.
Dee Antenor is an experienced writer who specialises in the not-for-profit sector and its affiliations. She is the content producer for Third Sector News, an online knowledge-based platform for and about the Australian NFP sector.