Higher national defense courses

Over the years, the courses have been attended by politicians, senior civil servants, defense personnel, economic and opinion leaders, cultural and educational figures, local government representatives, journalists, and members of the third sector. It has served as a cross-section of the societal segment that could, or in the organizers' view, should have a detailed understanding of Estonia's foreign, security, and national defense policies and structure. The mindset that values national defense and supports the will to defend spreads through these individuals throughout society.

The higher national defense courses have been held since November 1999. The model was inspired by Finland, where similar courses have been conducted since 1961. As part of the Estonia-Finland national defense cooperation, known as the "Viro Project," pilot courses were organized in Helsinki and Tallinn in 1998 and 1999 with the help of Finnish experts.

The current format of the higher national defense courses was established in 2001. This was based on the work plan approved by the Ministry of Defence’s Department of Strategic Communication, which also organized shorter and smaller courses for more specific audiences, such as county governors, teachers, and police officers. In contrast, the audience of the higher national defense courses has been a cross-section of society, particularly those who could, or should, have an in-depth understanding of Estonia's foreign, security, and defense policies and structure, as well as the Defence Forces—everything that the courses were created for and have been very successful in achieving.

The courses take place twice a year— in spring and autumn. The current moniker "higher national defense courses," has been in use since 2001. The courses are organized by the International Centre for Defence and Security.