30. 5. 2022 | EUCTI, POTC, PR
Between 23 and 26 May 2022 Centre for European Perspective (CEP) has successfully implemented a four-day online training on Protection of Civilians for EUAM Ukraine in coordination with the EU Civilian Training Initiative (EUCTI) project.
The course was conducted by Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC), situated at CEP premises. POTC already delivered a Protection of Civilians (PoC) training in April, hence the training targeting EUAM Ukraine needed only a slight adjustment to be able to support the mission members in time of Russian aggression. It was attended by 21 participants, all member staff of EUAM Ukraine.
During those four days, eight trainers shared their knowledge and practical expertise on the topics such as basic principles, definitions, and constitutive elements of PoC, its legal framework, conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence, the EU approach to PoC, and last but not least examples of good and bad PoC practices.
Interactive lessons, group work, and small-scale simulation exercises constituted only one part of the two-way learning process between participants and trainers. The second part was a two-way process of experience sharing during the whole training. Experts came from different backgrounds, but all had one thing in common: extensive practical experience in peacekeeping, peacebuilding, and PoC, and the willingness to share it with their trainees. This proved to be highly appreciated by the participants and a value-added to the training.
Participants pointed out the importance of understanding who a civilian is to be able to better protect them during times of hostilities and violence. They also appreciated discussing the sexual and gender-based violence during the times of an armed conflict, as some of them mentioned not enough attention is given to this topic.
CEP is proud to be a part of EUCTI and wishes participants – first and foremost – to remain safe and to be able to use gained knowledge to help conflict-affected people.
17. 5. 2022 | EUCTI, POTC, PR
Centre for European Perspective will, in the scope of the EU Civilian Training Initiative (EUCTI) project, between 23 and 26 May 2022 implement Protection of Civilians (PoC) training. The training’s target audience is the staff of the EU Advisory Mission in Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine). It is an adaptation of an already existing PoC training, implemented in April by the Peace Operations Training Centre (What is POTC?), coordinated by CEP.
Throughout this four-day online training, up to 25 participants will participate in theoretical and practical lessons from the field. Experienced trainers and experts will share their knowledge on PoC basics, historical developments in the field, PoC legal framework, contemporary challenges, and good practices within the mission environment.
Why PoC and why EUCTI? To get answers to these questions and learn more about the EUCTI click HERE and HERE.
30. 3. 2022 | POTC, PR
Along with organizing and conducting training courses, Peace Operations Training Centre’s (POTC) regular activities also include monitoring trends in demand for new training content. We identified a number of potential new topics and have consulted national, European, and UN institutions on the most urgent and relevant training needs. We decided to develop a new comprehensive training on the protection of civilians (PoC) after consulting a number of stakeholders.
According to the Security Council Report on the protection of civilians in armed conflict, armed conflict is continuously accompanied by high levels of civilian death, injury and psychological trauma, sexual violence, torture, and disappearance, as well as damaged and destroyed homes, schools, markets, hospitals and essential civilian infrastructure, such as electrical and water systems. Protection of civilians is a responsibility that includes military, police, and civilian functions within a peacekeeping mission and many missions have a mandate that includes PoC.
Personnel, deployed to peace operations and missions have consistently demonstrated a lack of understanding of their missions’ PoC mandates and the same lack of understanding is applicable to the core PoC tasks. We have hence developed a training format that will equip participants with a basic understanding of the PoC concept and its applications in peace operations and missions.
We are now inviting police and civilian personnel deployed or waiting to be deployed in IOM to our Protection of Civilians Training Course between 19 and 21 April 2022. The participants will address the PoC concept, elaborate on how conflict affects civilians and will identify different types of threats, perpetrators, and protection actors. They will also address the international legal framework on PoC, different tiers and/or operational phases of PoC, vulnerable groups, and special mechanisms for their protection. Check out the training program for more information.
Fill out the registration form to apply for participation before 12 April or contact [email protected] for any additional information on the new training.
24. 3. 2022 | POTC, PR
The Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC) has successfully concluded the Gender Equality and Gender Mainstreaming in Peace Operations Training that took place online from the 21st to the 24th of March 2022.
Participants from several EU countries’ military and police structures have joined trainers from POTC, UN Women, International Committee of the Red Cross, Slovenian Armed Forces, European External Action Service – EEAS, The Slovenian Police and CMC Finland to address gender issues.
We addressed the international legal framework on gender equality with a special focus on EU legislation, the issue of gender concerning human dignity in international operations, and the impact of conflict on gender-related issues. The participants gained insight into concrete situations and issues in experience sharing sessions with experts from the field.
Shared knowledge and skills will enable participants to contribute effectively to sustaining peace by recognizing the experiences and capabilities of women that are contributing to all aspects of peace operations and are vital for building sustainable peace.
As one of the participants put it: “It was a great training on the topic. It’s good that it’s addressed in such context that we really become more conscious.”
8. 3. 2022 | POTC, PR
The Peace Operations Training Centre – POTC is organizing an online training on Gender Equality and Gender Mainstreaming in Peace Operations for police and military personnel who plan to join international peace operations or missions. The training will take place online in the period from the 21th to the 24th of March 2022.
Violent conflict disproportionately affects women and girls and intensifies pre-existing gender inequalities and discrimination. But women are also active agents of peace in armed conflict although their role as key players and agents of peace is still poorly recognized. Acknowledging and integrating different understanding, experiences and capabilities of women into all aspects of peace operations is essential for the success of any peacekeeping efforts and for sustaining peace.
The course’s online lectures, workshops and participatory activities will cover the basic topics from gender equality and mainstreaming in peacekeeping to peacebuilding environments. Participants will gain skills and knowledge that will help them engage all possible stakeholders regarding gender equality and include the perspectives of women in their efforts to build sustainable peace.
As there are several vacant seats still available in the online training, we encourage everyone interested to apply here regardless of the application deadline. Contact [email protected] for any additional questions you might have.
3. 3. 2022 | POTC, PR
In February, the third session of the Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC) Program Council took place virtually with representatives of the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Defence, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
CEP Executive Director Katja Geršak presented the role of POTC and pointed out how POTC’s results already contribute to a higher level of international recognition and influence for Slovenia. She pointed out that POTC is the only training centre in Europe that caters to the army, police, and civilian personnel’s training needs. The Secretaries of State confirmed the 2021 Activity Report as well as the implementation plan for 2022. They expressed satisfaction with the completed activities and the plans for 2022.
The program for 2022 includes regular POTC activities like coordination of POTC members, monitoring training development, conducting cross-cutting research activities and the following training activities:
- Gender Mainstreaming and Gender Equality in IOM Training
- Pilot implementation of the course Protection of Civilians
- Pilot implementation of the course Cooperation with the Local Communities and the Populations (CIMIC/CMCoor)
- Assistance to Bosnia and Hercegovina (pre-deployment training, preparation of European project proposals)
- Hostile Environment Awareness Training
- International Humanitarian Law Course
- International Training in Support of the African Security and Defence Architecture in the Sahel Region
- Stabilization and Reconstruction for Civilian Functional Experts
The first training to be carried out in 2022 is the Gender Equality and Gender Mainstreaming in Peace Operations Training starting on March 21st, 2022.
