First in-person EUCTI partner meeting successfully under (Jable Castle) roof

14. 3. 2022 | EUCTI, PR

Last week, on 10 March, European Union Civilian Training Initiative (EUCTI) Secretariat, located at CEP premises at Jable Castle, hosted the first in-person partner meeting. Representatives from seven partner organizations and a representative of EU structures joined us at Jable for a day of intense discussions on the past, present and future of the project activities.

Besides CEP, representatives of ASPR, Clingendael, CMC and ZIF contributed to the discussion in-person. Representatives of Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna and Egmont Institute joined the discussion remotely. The Consortium was also joined by one of its steering group members, the representative of European External Action Service, Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI.2).

Head of EUCTI Secretariat, Markko Kallonen, and Head of Peace and Security Programme at CEP, Nina Čepon, opened the meeting. Busy agenda included project updates from partners, working groups developments, brainstorming ideas for 3^rd country activities, goals and plans for 2022 training delivery and discussion on the future of the project. In the end many open questions were balanced out by new ideas for the visibility and broadened scope of our project. But most importantly by the reignited commitment of all partners to the success of the project and wish to continue with the important work.

We at CEP are already looking forward to the next partner meeting. Until then we will continue with our activities, with the first one happening soon, in the end of March. More will follow!

Third capacity-building training on countering disinformation in Ljubljana

9. 3. 2022 | PR, Strengthening Societal Resilience and Countering Foreign Perpetrated Disinformation in 6 Western Balkans Countries

The Centre for European Perspective is holding the third capacity-building training/conference on countering disinformation in Ljubljana (SI) from 15 to 17 March 2022, bringing together representatives of government, civil society and media from all 6 countries of the Western Balkans.The conference will build upon the experiences and knowledge from previous conferences, enhance inter- and intra-country networking and regional cooperation while at the same time offer the participants insights into newest developments and good practices on countering mis- and disinformation, offer new tools to investigate them and propose concrete results/steps going forward on countering disinformation.

Project “Strengthening societal resilience and countering foreign perpetrated disinformation in the Western Balkans” is financed by the National Endowment for Democracy and Slovenian Development Aid fund (Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia).

2021 EUCTI Activities in a Nutshell

9. 3. 2022 | EUCTI, PR

The Centre for European Perspective (CEP) is proud to host the Secretariat of the European Union Civilian Training Initiative (EUCTI). EUCTI is a three-year long project (2021-2023) which is co-funded by the European Union, Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI.2), instrument contributing to Stability and Peace, Conflict prevention, peacebuilding, and crisis preparedness component.

EUCTI’s main objective is to provide need-based training courses for experts working in international organisations and missions active in the field of civilian crisis management worldwide. Course topics vary and aim at enhancing knowledge and skills of the deployed personnel. This, in turn, will help the organisations in delivering their mandates which, ultimately, will improve the living conditions of the conflict-affected people.

During the first project year, we dedicated time to develop concepts and frameworks to allow sound planning of the upcoming training activities (e.g., on evaluation and on methodology and standardization) in cooperation with seven other EUCTI partners. Furthermore, EUCTI contacted several important stakeholders in the field of civilian crisis management (all EU CSDP missions, EU Delegations, UN, AU and OSCE headquarters and several related missions to name some). EUCTI successfully delivered five training courses; 57 participants (32 females and 25 males) from 22 countries benefited directly from our activities. On top of that, we believe that many other people have indirectly gained new knowledge and expertise related to civilian crisis management thanks to EUCTI.

Check out the video below for the highlights of our work in 2021!

PROMOTING WOMEN, PEACE, AND SECURITY – Online Training on Gender Equality and Gender Mainstreaming in Peace Operations

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.

March 15 – Aggression on Ukraine: Lining up the West

7. 3. 2022 | Bled Strategic Forum, PR

Bled Strategic Forum, Centre for European Perspective and the Atlantic Council cordially invite you to a discussion

Aggression on Ukraine:

Lining up the West

15 March 2022, 10.00 CET

Zoom & Jable Castle*

Register here.

Yet again history makes its mark on Europe.

The war in Ukraine, instigated by Russia, will have a lasting impact on European security. The conflict, which has broader geopolitical implications, could signal a beginning of growing instability in various other regions such as Balkans, South China Sea, or Taiwan. Furthermore, the conflict could spill over into EU countries. The international order based on the equality of sovereign countries is crumbling before our eyes. Simultaneously we are witnessing unity and vigour of the European Union and NATO in its responses to the Russian aggression. Europe is uniting and the Transatlantic partnership is reinvigorated. Security is again at the forefront and the European Security Architecture is and has to change drastically.

What are the consequences of the war in Ukraine for European security?

What are the broader geopolitical implications of Russian aggression in Ukraine?

Can we expect spill over effects and where?

Are the EU and NATO doing enough?

Introductory remarks:

· Ambassador Iztok Mirošič, BSF Programme Director

Speakers:

· Mr Mykhailo Gonchar, Founder & President, Center for Global Studies “Strategy XXI”, Ukraine – digitally

· Dr Stefan Meister, Head of Program for International Order and Democracy, German Council on Foreign Relations – digitally

· Mr Jernej Müller, Political Director, Director-General, Directorate for Common Foreign and Security Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia

· Ms Anna Wieslander, Director Northern Europe, Europe Center, Atlantic Council – digitally

Closing remarks:

· Dr Stanislav Raščan, State Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia

Moderated by Ms Katja Geršak, Executive Director, Centre for European Perspective.

Join us on Zoom!

If you wish to join the discussion on-site at Jable Castle, please RSVP no later than Sunday, March 13 by email to [email protected].

*Disclaimer: The on-site discussion will take place at Jable Castle, Grajska cesta 1, 1234 Mengeš. On-site participation will be possible for the first 50 RSVPs. Participants who will be able to attend the discussion live will be notified day before the event by email. Participants will be able to watch the discussion online via Zoom platform or on the BSF YouTube profile. For more about the BSF, you can also follow our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram profile.

POTC Activities in 2022

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 21^st, 2022.

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