6th CMDR COE Academic Advisory Board (AAB) Meeting
Date: (21-10-2025)
It has been a busy week at the CMDR COE premises. The 6th CMDR COE Academic Advisory Board (AAB) Meeting was held yesterday, 20 October 2025.
The Academic Advisory Board (AAB) is an independent body that assists the CMDR COE in managing the scientific research and educational activities of the Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence.
The AAB consists of highly regarded academics who support the CMDR COE throughout the planning, development, and approval of the CMDR COE Programme of Work (PoW) and projects, as well as the Education and Training Curriculum/Syllabus for courses, workshops, seminars, and conferences within the field of crisis management and disaster response.
The AAB provides methodological guidance to enhance the effectiveness of scientific research, analytical activities, education, and training events. The Board consists of representatives from Bulgaria, as the Hosting Nation of the CMDR COE – Prof. Dr. Nina DOBRINKOVA – and representatives from three of the four Sponsoring Nations: from Poland, Colonel, Assoc. Prof. Dariusz MAJCHRZAK; from Romania, Police Chief Superintendent Florin-Viorel STEFAN; and from Hungary, Colonel Gabor Hangya, who participated in the session online.
Under the chairmanship of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Velizar SHALAMANOV, our distinguished AAB members reviewed the achievements of the CMDR COE through 2025 and adopted a draft for their way ahead until 2028. The agenda focuses on improving cooperation with other COEs and strengthening the overall engagement of the involved countries to enhance their collective resilience.
The workflow is ensured through the skilful coordination of Lieutenant Colonel Margarita KUMANOVA, who remains Secretary of the AAB.
Our work is not yet complete. Today, we continue with the CMDR COE Steering Committee (SC) meeting.
News
CMDR COE joined the campaign On the Day of Sofia, the CMDR COE representatives joined the Initiative „Let’s Clean Bulgaria Together”, which unites institutions, non-governmental and business organizations and volunteers in the name of the cause of a cleaner environment.
» read more
A course for planners developmentCrisis Response Operation Planners Professional Development Course (12-16 Sep 22)
» read more
Gained Cup at the 8th Sofia Ekiden (Relay) MarathonThe CMDR COE Team won the cup in the category Governmental Institutions at the 8th Sofia Ekiden (Relay) Marathon on 6 September 2022.
» read more
Welcome Newcomers
» read more
Extension of the Technical Agreement between CMDR COE and the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval AcademyAn Annex to the Tehnical Agreement was signed between the CMDR COE and the Nikola Vaptsarov Naval Academy formalizing the commitment to implement the agreed activities within the next 5 years.
» read more
ESDC Press Release on the Disaster Relief in CSDP Context CourseThe European Security and Defence College (ESDC) had the honour of co-organising the course on Disaster Relief in CSDP Context, together with the Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence, the Diplomatic Institute to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria and the Romanian National College of Home Affairs.
» read more
Spring 2022 CMDR COE Interns successfully complete their internship Interns present their research on CMDR-related topics.
» read more
Disaster Relief in CSDP Context CourseThe aim of the course is to provide basic knowledge about the impact of man-made, natural and climate driven disasters on the European Security.
» read more
Honorary Award from the Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute CMDR COE Director awarded for contribution
» read more
NATO Partnerships 360 SymposiumCMDR COE Panelist to the NATO Partnerships 360 Symposium.
» read more
New life for used plastic – the CMDR COE launches a recycling initiativeThe CMDR COE new approach to reducing plastic pollution.
» read more
Representatives from UK and US Embassies paid a visit to CMDR COEThe CMDR COE is proud to announce that on 31st of May 2022 a meeting with representatives from The United Kingdom Embassy to Bulgaria and the United States Embassy to Bulgaria was held.
» read more
Visit of the Chief of Defence of the Republic of TurkeyOn 31st of May, 2022, General Yaşar Güler, Commander of the Turkish Armed Forces paid an official visit to CMDR COE.
» read more
Role of Crisis DiplomacyTogether with Bulgarian Diplomatic Institute (BDI) online iteration of the Crisis Management in Multilateral Frameworks (IGOs): The Role of Political/Civilian and Military Crisis Diplomacy Course
» read more
Signed Note of Joining of Hungary to CMDR COEWe are proud to announce that a Note of Joining of Hungary to CMDR OOE was signed at the Headquarters of the Allied Command of Transformation.
» read more
Visit of the JFCNP ACOS J9Brigadier General Marcus Ellermann paid a visit to the CMDR COE
» read more
Successful hybrid iteration of the Climate Change and Security CourseAnother successful iteration of the Climate Change and Security course took place from 05 to 08 April 2022 on the CMDR COE premises in Sofia, and online.
» read more
