The Italian Defense Higher Studies Institute - Istituto Alti Studi per la Difesa (IASD), directed by the CASD President, is staffed by officers of the Major General ranking, or equivalent, belonging to the four Armed Forces and the Guardia di Finanza (Customs Guards Corps), and by a civilian Manager, with the qualification of General Manager, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, all acting as Adjuvant Directors. One of the Adjuvant Directors chosen by the President acts as Study Coordinator, while the others are entrusted with as many trainee sections in the institute.
IASD plans and facilitates annual professional updating sessions, focusing on the analysis of military policy, the organization of the Armed Forces, and on the study of security and defense strategies with the aim of:
- updating the professional and cultural background of high-ranking officers and of Defense civilian managers on the topics of defense and security;
- promoting the dissemination of military culture, and cultural and scientific cooperation with the leading Italian institutes and companies by means of a “Special Session”.
IASD trainees, 40-60 per session approximately, at least 25% of them foreigners, are Officers of General or Colonel ranking, civilian managers from the Ministry of Defense or other Ministries, and managers or professionals coming from various sectors of civil society.
Every study session has an average duration of nine months approximately, and in general includes:
- an initial phase, aimed at providing basic knowledge, common to all participants, on topics such as politics and international relations;
- a subsequent phase, in which topics of specific nature or interest are focused and expanded on.
The Institute’s various activities include:
- individual and group work on topics chosen in cooperation with the Defense General Staff;
- seminars and round tables, making up the core of the study programs;
- conferences on topical issues, presented by distinguished Italian and foreign speakers, both military and civilian;
- joint activities with similar national and international study and research centers, focusing on issues pertaining to the Defense sector;
- individual or group meetings and activities carried out in cooperation with similar foreign institutes, the NATO Defense College, the Marshall Centre, and similar bodies;
- visits to companies of interest for the Defense sector;
- study trips in Italy and abroad, allowing trainees to become familiar with the different social, politico-economic and military features of the various Countries.
Study seminars, which on average last one or two weeks, conducted in Italian and English, are planned and administered by Adjuvant Directors with the participation of distinguished Italian and foreign lecturers and speakers, politicians, government authorities, university professors, military authorities, senior public officials, magistrates, experts in the field of economics, business and finance.
Since academic year 2007-2008, also civilian trainees, degree holders from the Università degli Studi di Perugia, can be admitted to the Course. Admission is granted in accordance with the agreement entered into with the said University, equating the IASD Course with a postgraduate 2nd Level Master’s Degree in "International Security Advanced Studies" open to both the trainees of the IASD Ordinary session and to those coming from the said University.
The main themes making the objects of seminars are:
- global strategy
- the international scenario
- the Italian “country system” and the European Union
- NATO
- the extended Mediterranean strategic scenario
- global emergencies
- defense and industry
- communication and negotiation
- humanitarian law of armed conflicts
- military operations
- leadership, ethics and human resources.
