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

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

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

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

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

Final Conference of the EUCTI Project

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

Slovenia’s Support to Ukrainian Recovery

“When we talk about Ukraine’s recoverywe 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

Surviving Hostile Environments: HEAT 2024 Successfully Concluded

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.

Kliknite tukaj za branje članka v slovenskem jeziku.

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.

For more information about the training, you can follow us on social media:

LinkedIn •   Facebook

Successful Study Visit of North Macedonian Delegation of Nurses and Midwives in Slovenia

Successful Study Visit of North Macedonian Delegation of Nurses and Midwives in Slovenia

We have successfully completed the three-day study visit as part of the project ‘Advancing Nursing and Midwifery Education and Establishing the System for the Recognition of Professional Qualifications in the Republic of North Macedonia (2024–2025)’. The study visit, held from June 3 to June 5, 2024, marks the beginning of cooperation between Slovenia and North Macedonia in enhancing the professional qualifications and education systems for nurses and midwives in North Macedonia.

The visit began with the official launch of the project on Monday with the welcome address from Mr Denis Korde, State Secretary at Ministry of Health of Slovenia. He welcomed the Macedonian delegation to Slovenia, emphasizing the importance of collaboration for addressing the challenges in the health sector. Activities of day 1 continued with presentations from Ms Monika Ažman, President of the Nurses and Midwives Association of Slovenia (NMA), who shared the association’s almost century-long journey and developments in the nursing and midwifery sector in Slovenia in this time. Mr Andrej Vojnovič, presented the regulatory framework for nursing in Slovenia, with follow-up presentations by Ms Urša Glavinac and Ms Anita Prelec, focusing on the registration, licensing, and continuous professional and educational development of nurses and midwives, emphasizing patient safety and quality care.

On Tuesday, the delegation visited the Angela Boškin Faculty of Health Care (ABFHC) in Jesenice. Doc. Dr Sanela Pivač, Prof. Dr Brigita Skela Savič, and Senior Lecturer Ms Anita Prelec, presented the work of the Faculty, the evolution of nursing and midwifery education in Slovenia and strategies for building quality education programs. They also presented the work of ABFHC and the cooperation of the Faculty with Jesenice General Hospital. Representatives from North Macedonia presented the issues in the implementation of the Bologna process in their educational sector with the along with the current obstacles in establishing graduate and postgraduate programs for nurses and midwives in North Macedonia. The afternoon featured a tour of Jesenice General Hospital, where the delegation learned more about the roles and competencies of nurses and midwives in the healthcare system of Slovenia.

The final day of the study visit began with an interactive debrief and a discussion focused on the possibility of applying the Slovenian practices to the North Macedonian context. Members of the delegation noted the benefits of a public healthcare system, particularly in primary care settings. The discussions also focused on outlining steps for future activities, focused on regulation and education. Following the discussion, the delegation visited Community Health Centre Ljubljana (Zdravstveni dom Ljubljana) and the Simulation centre (SIM centre) of the Community Health Centre Ljubljana (CHC Ljubljana), which is the first simulation centre on the primary level in Slovenia. It provides the implementation of advanced simulations in healthcare to improve patient safety, to increase the knowledge and skills of professionals, and to enhance their competences and their effectiveness to act in certain life-threatening situations. The visit of the Community Health Centre enabled the presentation of the different role of nurses in primary health care.

 

The Centre for European Perspective extends its thanks to all the institutions and individuals who made this study visit a success:

  • Angela Boškin Faculty of Health Care
  • Nurses and Midwives Association of Slovenia (NMA)
  • Health Centre Ljubljana (Zdravstveni dom Ljubljana)
  • Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia
  • WHO Office Skopje
  • Ministry of Health of the Republic of North Macedonia
  • Representatives from the nursing and midwifery sectors in North Macedonia

About the Project

The project ‘Advancing Nursing and Midwifery Education and Establishing the System for the Recognition of Professional Qualifications in the Republic of North Macedonia (2024–2025)’ aims to align nursing and midwifery education with European standards, improving healthcare outcomes in North Macedonia. The project activities are supported by the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs through the #SlovenianAid programme, and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of North Macedonia.

Check out the photos in the Flickr gallery below:

IMG_6108