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

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Advanced approach to cross-border fire safety
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Under the auspicious of the European Security and Defence College (ESDC), with the support of the Diplomatic Institute to the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria
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Took place in a hybrid mode from 2 to 3 June 2021
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Appreciation of the CMDR COE efforts to the Exrcise Belene 2021 success.
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Recognizing the increasing role of physical and human induced disasters in contemporary and future security environment, from 24 May to 28 May 2021, CMDR COE conducts Disaster Management Course.
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A course with the Diplomatic Institute, 11-13 May 2021
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For great achievements in service, merits to the defence of the country and in connection with the 6th May – The Day of Bravery and the Bulgarian Armed Forces Celebration, the Bulgarian Minister of Defence awarded personnel from CMDR COE.
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On the 31st March 2015 CMDR COE received the official accreditation from the North Atlantic Council and was activated as a NATO military body with international status.
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A challenging and constructive 2021 online iteration
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In recognition of the exceptional contribution to Balkan Bridges′2019 Exercise, ADM Emil EFTIMOV awarded COL Orlin NIKOLOV and LTC Valeri TONEV.
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Continuing the enlargement of the Gender Focal Point Community
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An initial planning conference for exercise in the town of Belene
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Looking at ways to improve logistics management, pandemic analysis and Information Environment Assessment capabilities
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A distinguished contribution of CMDR COE team
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EADRCC together with CMDR COE in a Webinar, January 27
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