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First EDDE Training for Slovenian government communicators has concluded

21. 6. 2024 | European Digital Diplomacy Exchange, PR

In an era where digital communication is of most importance, the European Digital Diplomacy Exchange (EDDE) Training held at the Jable Castle in Slovenia aimed to bolster the capabilities of government communicators in the digital realm. Hosted by the Centre for European Perspective (CEP), the two-day intensive training underscored the critical need for strategic digital messaging in combating disinformation and enhancing social cohesion. The event, titled “Improving Digital Strategic Messaging,” brought together almost thirty key stakeholders from Slovenian state institutions – from 10 ministries and 4 other state institutions, offering a robust agenda filled with expert-led sessions and practical exercises. The training’s objective was to equip participants with the tools and strategies necessary to navigate the complexities of digital communication effectively.

The training began with opening remarks from Michael Marble, the U.S. Embassy in Slovenia, Petra Bezjak Cirman, the Slovenian Government Communication Office, and Nina Čepon, the (CEP), highlighting the importance of strategic communication in the digital era. The first day of the training featured lectures on the theoretical aspects of strategic communication, including its role in fostering social unity, digital technologies driving social change, development of a strategic communication plan and components of a digital communication ecosystem. We also hosted a panel discussion providing comparative insights into strategic communication centralisation models from the U.S., North Macedonia, and Slovenia. On the second day, we touched upon the essential elements of designing a digital communication campaign, techniques for identifying and understanding the target audience, crafting policy messages and using digital media analytics. We also discussed ways to improve social media presence with concrete examples of Slovenian State Institutions. Lastly, we talked about countering disinformation with the use of strategic communication.

Participants had quite a few practical activities going on as well. They had to develop strategic communication centralisation assessment and improvement, build a digital strategic communication strategy and design a digital strategic communication campaign.

The EDDE Training provided a learning experience for all attendees. The combination of experts’ insights, practical activities, and collaborative discussions ensured that participants left with a comprehensive understanding of digital strategic messaging. The training underscored the crucial role that strategic communication plays in fostering social cohesion, countering disinformation, and enhancing the overall effectiveness of government messaging.

The project is a result of cooperation between the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Embassy in Ljubljana, and the Centre for European Perspective.

European Digital Diplomacy Exchange Training in Slovenia: Empowering Government Communicators for the Digital Landscape

18. 6. 2024 | European Digital Diplomacy Exchange, PR

19 June – 20 June 2024, Grad Jable, Slovenia – In an era marked by rapid technological advancements and the pervasive spread of disinformation worldwide, the necessity for robust and effective communication strategies has never been more pressing. As digital platforms play an increasingly pivotal role in the dissemination and perception of information, government communicators are tasked with the critical challenge of ensuring their messages remain authentic and trusted amidst a sea of disinformation.

Recognizing the paramount importance of these skills, the U.S. Department of State and the Centre for European Perspective are organizing a comprehensive two-day training bringing together government communicators from Slovenian state institutions to enhance their skills and expertise in the realm of digital strategic messaging. The training, that will be the first training organised solely for Slovenian communicators, will take place on June 19 and 20, 2024, against stunning landscape of Jable castle (Slovenia).

Themed “Improving Digital Strategic Messaging,” the training focuses on equipping participants with essential skills to navigate the complexities of the digital landscape. Led by leading experts, sessions delve into techniques for audience analysis, segmentation, and persuasive communication strategies tailored to specific demographics. Attendees will gain insights into the integration of visuals and other elements to bolster messaging effectiveness alongside practical exercises providing tangible solutions for implementation within their ministries. With an emphasis on strategic thinking and practical solutions, participants will leave armed with a roadmap for future digital communication endeavours.

The project is a result of cooperation between the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Embassy in Ljubljana, and the Centre for European Perspective.

Uspodabljanje Evropske izmenjava aktivnosti digitalne diplomacije v Moldaviji: Krepitev kompetenc vladnih komunikatorjev za nove izzive v digitalnem okolju

13. 6. 2024 | European Digital Diplomacy Exchange, PR, Slovenian Development Assistance, Strategic Communication

V dobi hitrih tehnoloških sprememb in vseprisotnih globalnih dezinformacij so zanesljive in učinkovite komunikacijske strategije pomembnejše kot kadarkoli prej. Digitalne platforme imajo ključno vlogo pri širjenju informacij in oblikovanju percepcije, vladni komunikatorji pa se soočajo z izzivom, kako zagotoviti, da bodo njihova sporočila avtentična in zaupanja vredna v morju dezinformacij.

Da bi okrepili te veščine, Ameriško zunanje ministrstvo (U. S. State Departement) in Center za evropsko prihodnost (CEP) organizirata dvodnevni trening v Moldaviji, ki bo potekal 24. in 25. junija 2024 v Kišnjevu. Dogodek bo združil vladne komunikatorje iz različnih institucij z namenom izboljšanja veščin na področju digitalnih strateških komunikacij.

Tema treninga je »Izboljšanje digitalnih strateških komunikacij«, s poudarkom na opolnomočenju udeležencev z znanji kako se spopasti s kompleksnostmi digitalnega okolja. Vodilni strokovnjaki bodo predavali o analizi občinstva, in kako tehnike komunikacij prilagoditi različnim demografskim skupinam. Udeleženci bodo pridobili vpogled v integracijo vizualnih elementov, ki povečujejo učinkovitost sporočil, ob tem pa bodo sodelovali tudi v praktičnih aktivnostih, ki jim bodo omogočile implementacijo pridobljenih veščin v lastnih institucijah.

Projekt je rezultat sodelovanja med Ministrstvom za zunanje zadeve ZDA in Centrom za evropsko prihodnost v partnerstvu z Ministrstvom za zunanje in evropske zadeve Republike Slovenije v okviru programa Razvojnega sodelovanja in humanitarne pomoči.

Final Conference of the EUCTI Project

12. 6. 2024 | EUCTI, PR

After three and a half years, the European Union Civilian Training Initiative (EUCTI) project is nearing its end. The EUCTI Secretariat, held at the Centre for European Perspective (CEP), decided to host its Final Conference on Thursday, 6 June, at BluePoint in Brussels. The Final Conference was divided into two parts: a panel discussion in the morning and a partner meeting in the afternoon. All Consortium partners attended it, as well as representatives of individual European police and gendarmerie organisations, EU stakeholders, and others interested in hearing about EUCTI and its achievements throughout the years.

The morning session of the conference was enriched by the insights shared by the esteemed panellists: Mrs Mihaela Matei from CPCC.1, Ms Anna-Karin Häggeborg from PCM.1, and Ms Tetiana Babiichuk from EUAM Ukraine. They provided a comprehensive view of the project and its connection with the EU CSDP training policy and architecture. The panellists underscored the importance of flexibility, agility, quick responsiveness, and need-based, tailor-made, and integrated approaches to training. These, they emphasized, are the key elements that equip such initiatives to effectively bridge the existing gaps. The afternoon session further delved into these insights, presenting key lessons learned and takeaways from the project in an informal and engaging manner.

The project has not only met but surpassed the objectives it set out in January 2021, a source of great joy for the whole Consortium. Partners have implemented 41 training courses and activities, among them seven workshops for members of training institutions from countries not (yet) contributing to EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions. We have trained almost 700 participants, mostly staff of civilian EU CSDP crisis management missions who were joined by personnel of other international peace support organisations, a testament to the project’s wide-reaching impact. Two working groups—the Working Group on Standardisation and Methodology and the Working Group on Evaluation—made conducting all these activities possible by creating a solid quality assurance framework.

CEP and EUCTI

Besides hosting the Secretariat (already a humongous task), CEP implemented nine training activities. Seven of them targeted personnel of EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) civilian crisis management missions: EULEX Kosovo, EUAM Ukraine, EUMM Georgia and EUM Armenia. Two of them targeted members of training institutions in Namibia and Mongolia.

Although this project is ending, CEP is continuing its activities in civilian crisis management at the European Union level and is currently preparing for a new, even bigger, and more ambitious project. Stay tuned for more soon!

Slovenia’s Support to Ukrainian Recovery

12. 6. 2024 | local self-government, PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, U-LEAD: with Europe, Ukraine

“When we talk about Ukraine’s recovery, we talk about the recovery of the future new EU member state” (Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany, in his opening address at the URC 2024 in Berlin).

Ukrainian local communities represent a key driving force for Ukraine’s successful recovery and sustainable development. The Ukraine Recovery Conference in Berlin highlighted the role of these municipalities.

Since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression, Slovenia has been offering assistance and support to Ukraine. The support has resulted in long-term sustainable partnerships based on solidarity and friendship, with Slovenia offering its valuable experience as Ukraine continues its path towards the EU, with the Slovenian government announcing the allocation of an additional 5 million € to Ukrainian recovery.

We are proud to announce the release of our publication, “Slovenia Supporting Ukrainian Communities: Integrating Reconstruction with Local Development”, highlighting the Slovenian contribution and opportunities for future cooperation in the recovery, reconstruction and EU integration of Ukraine.

Authors: Dr Janez Šušteršič, Ms Jelka Klemenc and Mr Jurij Kobal.

You can find the publication here.

Surviving Hostile Environments: HEAT 2024 Successfully Concluded

10. 6. 2024 | POTC, PR

HEAT 2024 – in the first week of June, the Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC), operating within the Centre for European Perspective, held the Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT). The intense training took place at the Gotenica Police Training Centre.

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The Hostile Environment Awareness Trainings (HEAT) are well-established trainings organised worldwide by different non-profit and for-profit organisations. For more than 10 years CEP, and now POTC, in close cooperation with Slovenian Police and Slovenian Armed Forces, has been a consistent provider of HEAT in Slovenia.

The general aim of HEAT is to train individuals to deal effectively with risk-associated and emergency/critical situations while deployed in hostile environments abroad. The latest training was attended by 17 participants: 12 from Slovenia (participants were mostly referred by the three partner institutions: Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and Ministry of Interior of Slovenia) and 5 participants from abroad (Ivory Coast, France, Romania). Participants either already work in hostile environments or plan to apply for positions that require a certificate of HEAT attendance, such as positions in peacekeeping missions and operations.

The training was a mix of interactive lectures that covered a wide range of topics, among others: how to provide for your own personal security, how to plan movements and what to do at (il)legal checkpoints, radio communication and orientation, movement during mass gatherings, surviving kidnap situations, stress management, improvised explosive devices, and basic life support. The training culminated in a day-long simulation exercise during which the participants were faced with many stressful situations that required appropriate responses.

The participants all successfully completed the course, expressing their satisfaction with the new knowledge, techniques, and experience that will, if needed, benefit their current or future work postings.

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