Emile and Mattheus named winners of NATO Allied Command Transformation’s Student Challenge

In June 2024, two PSIA students, Emile Dhorne and Mattheus Webster, were honoured to be named winners of NATO Allied Command Transformation’s Student Challenge. Their work, selected from submissions by students across the Alliance and abroad, addressed a pressing contemporary issue: the rise of cognitive warfare and its profound effects on democratic and economic systems, as well as the Alliance's relative advantage over competitors.

They were invited to Washington, D.C., where they had the privilege of attending NATO’s 75th-anniversary summit. During the summit, Emile and Mattheus presented their policy proposals to NATO’s senior political and military leaders, including the Supreme Allied Commander Transformation. Their focus was on the increasing danger posed by the weaponisation of digital platforms, particularly through neuro-profiling and targeted strategies aimed at weakening democratic and economic institutions across the Alliance. Their recommendations included doctrinal developments and a proposal to establish a dedicated branch within the NATO Intelligence Fusion Centre (NIFC) to counter these emerging threats and enhance the Alliance’s readiness for the challenges ahead.

While in Washington, they also contributed to the Model NATO Summit Youth Declaration, working alongside other young representatives from Allied nations to offer perspectives on how NATO can adapt and strengthen its role in global security. The declaration can be found here.

At the NATO Public Forum, Emile and Mattheus participated in discussions with international political leaders on the future of the Alliance, offering their insights while gaining valuable knowledge in return.

Their collaboration, symbolising a French-Dutch partnership, stems from their participation in the Model NATO Event organised by PSIA last March.

Keep an eye out for future student challenges, and perhaps you could be invited to represent students globally at NATO’s summit in The Hague in 2025, showcasing both your expertise and Sciences Po’s commitment to shaping future leaders.