12. 9. 2025 | POTC, PR
The Comprehensive Protection of Civilians Course was successfully completed today by 28 participants. The 10-day training took place at the Humanitarian Peace Support School in Nairobi, Kenya, and was conducted in cooperation between the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC), the British Peace Support Team Africa (BPST-A), and POTC.
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This year’s course served as a pilot for future cooperation, promoting sustainable training and supporting the principle of African-led solutions to African challenges, fostered through international partnerships.
The aim of the Comprehensive Protection of Civilians Course is to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to effectively assess, plan, and implement Protection of Civilians (POC) activities in United Nations (UN) and African Union (AU) peace operations. This is particularly important in today’s increasingly dynamic and complex Peace Support/Keeping Operation (PSO/PKO) environments, where civilians often bear the greatest burden. The course strengthens participants’ understanding of POC frameworks and intricacies and, in turn, contributes to the operational effectiveness of the African Standby Forces.
The programme applied a range of learning methods, from lectures and group discussions to examples and experience sharing. In the second week, participants took part in practical demonstrations of POC activities, which significantly enriched the overall learning experience.
The course brought together 28 regional and international experts from 18 countries, representing military, police, and civilian backgrounds. This diverse participation reflected the shared objective of empowering regional actors and strengthening peacekeeping capacity within the African Union and beyond.
POTC would like to thank the representative of the Slovenian Armed Forces who contributed to the course as a lecturer. Special thanks also go to the Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to Ethiopia and Kenya, H.E. Kristina Radej, for visiting the course and engaging with participants. During her visit, the Ambassador reaffirmed Slovenia’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with African partners in the fields of security and capacity building. Her presence underscored Slovenia’s dedication to international collaboration and support for African-led solutions.
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11. 9. 2025 | EUTI, PR
On 8–9 September 2025, the EU Training Initiative (EUTI) was officially launched at the Permanent Representation of Slovenia to the EU in Brussels. The two-day kick-off and partner meeting was led by the EUTI Secretariat, together with the EUTI Consortium, comprising 15 civilian, police, and gendarmerie organisations throughout the EU. The event brought together representatives from the European Commission, the European External Action Service (EEAS), the European Security and Defence College (ESDC), and Civilian Operations HQ (CivOpsHQ) to discuss the initiative’s objectives, main activities, and next steps.
The EUTI initiative aims to strengthen the European Union’s capacity to respond to global challenges by providing specialised, demand-driven, and tailor-made training to civilian, police, and gendarmerie experts already deployed or soon to be deployed to international crisis management and peace support missions. It focuses on three main pillars: addressing training needs, advising on training harmonisation, standardisation and certification, and introducing innovative training methodologies and strategies to meet emerging challenges.
During the partner meeting, participants reviewed the EUTI Manual and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensuring alignment with EU priorities, Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) training policies and operational requirements. Working groups explored strategies for implementing training modules, fostering cooperation among EU institutions, and enhancing knowledge exchange across member states, their training and academic institutions, and seconding agencies. The Consortium partners charted the EUTI Training Catalogue, a living and non-exhaustive document listing all the training capacities and capabilities of project partners, building on their more than a decade-long experience in providing training in the civilian crisis management context.
EUTI Kickoff and high-level panel discussion
A highlight of the event was a high-level panel discussion featuring representatives from the European Commission, EEAS, ESDC, and the CivOpsHQ. Panellists emphasised the value of coordinated training efforts and innovative approaches to civilian crisis management training.
“Training must be innovative, collaborative and adaptable — because the needs of missions are changing faster than ever.”
The event also featured informal networking sessions, allowing participants to strengthen partnerships and exchange experiences, laying the groundwork for the next steps of EUTI’s implementation.
Through EUTI, the EU is enhancing professional development, promoting best practices, and building sustainable capacities for its crisis management and peace support missions.
11. 9. 2025 | Bled Strategic Forum, PR
The Bled Strategic Forum celebrated its 20th edition on 1–2 September 2025 under the title A Runaway World, gathering over 2,300 participants from 94 countries. Once a modest regional meeting, the Forum is now widely recognised as Central and South-Eastern Europe’s leading platform for dialogue among statesmen, diplomats, academics, youth and civil society.
Organised jointly by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia — through the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs — and the Centre for European Perspective (CEP), the Forum has thrived thanks to this close partnership from its inception. While the Ministry ensures the political and diplomatic vision, the Centre for European Perspective plays a vital role in the logistical organisation, supporting every detail that allows the Forum to function smoothly and to welcome thousands of participants and high-level guests year after year. The synergy of these two institutions has been essential in shaping the Bled Strategic Forum into a flagship event for Slovenia’s diplomacy.
This year’s edition featured 32 debates and over 180 speakers, including presidents, prime ministers, and foreign ministers. A recurring theme was the state of the global order, strained by persistent crises, space for cooperation shrinking, and international law under pressure. Among the most emphatic messages was a call for leaders to assume responsibility, act with integrity, and defend the fundamental values that underpin democratic and cooperative societies.
Dialogue featured not just between nations but across generations. Young leaders engaged in the Young Bled Strategic Forum programme and specialised Deep Dive sessions to address issues such as climate apathy, rising geopolitical tensions, and the ethical dilemmas posed by European rearmament. Their participation highlighted the Forum’s commitment to ensuring that the voices shaping tomorrow’s policies are heard today.
In one especially symbolic moment, the Deputy Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan each took part in separate panels on European partnerships. Although they were not co-panelists, both listened attentively to one another’s contributions. This simple act conveyed a powerful message: after the signing of a peace agreement, the region is entering a new chapter of stability and cooperation. It captured the essence of what the Bled Strategic Forum — and the Centre for European Perspective as its long-standing co-organiser — strive for: not just discussion, but trust, mutual recognition, and constructive engagement.
As the Bled Strategic Forum turned twenty, its continuing strength lies not only in what is said on its stages, but also in how ideas are shared, relationships formed, and future paths explored. With the Centre for European Perspective’s dedicated work from the very beginning, the Forum continues to serve as a bridge — between states, between generations, and between ambition and action.
The 21st edition of the Bled Strategic Forum will be held on 31 August and 1 September 2026.
4. 9. 2025 | PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, Ukraine
Celje, 3 September 2025 – Local communities remain at the heart of the Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine Programme. Slovenian mayors gathered in Celje to discuss future activities and joint initiatives for 2026, in a meeting hosted by the Mayor of Celje, Mr Matija Kovač. They emphasized that the contribution of Slovenian municipalities has proven to be relevant and successful, fostering mutual learning and solidarity in support of Ukraine’s recovery amid the ongoing war.
Looking ahead, the mayors agreed to revitalise existing partnerships with Ukrainian municipalities and regions while also including new Slovenian municipalities in the process. They underlined the importance of developing concrete joint projects and of applying a cluster approach that connects communities through key themes such as rural development and tourism, civil protection and resilience, environmental management, and access to EU and other funding. These efforts will build on the expertise of Slovenian local leaders, the involvement of small and medium-sized enterprises, and the contribution of women to recovery, reform, and entrepreneurship.
The discussion also highlighted the need to increase the visibility of Slovenia’s contribution at both the EU and international level, while at the same time raising awareness among Slovenian citizens – particularly young people – about the importance of international solidarity and development cooperation. A concrete step in this direction will be the organisation of summer camps for Ukrainian children in Slovenia in 2026, offering them safe and supportive experiences away from the traumas of war. In parallel, Slovenian mayors will actively engage in European-level events and forums, including the European Week of Regions and Cities, the Bridges of Trust Annual Gathering, and the Ukraine Recovery Conference, to ensure that Slovenia’s role and commitment remain visible in wider European discussions.
The ‘Recovery and Reconstruction in Ukraine’ programme is funded by the Slovenian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs through the Slovenian Aid and Partnerships and implemented in partnership with ‘U-LEAD with Europe’.
3. 9. 2025 | BiH - Young Politicians, PR, Regional cooperation, Slovenian Development Assistance, Youth
The second Enter: Change Forum titled “Shaping BiH’s Tomorrow: Youth Leading the Way” was concluded successfully on the 2nd of September. It brought together 16 promising young politicians from across Bosnia and Herzegovina, uniting them in Kranjska Gora to reflect on their country’s future. Representing diverse ethnic and political backgrounds, these young leaders came together to share ideas, debate solutions, and prepare a vision for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s path towards the European Union.
The forum officially opened with inspiring addresses from distinguished guests:
- H.E. Mr Dario Novalić, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Slovenia
- Mr John D. Stubbs, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Embassy Ljubljana
- Ms Nina Čepon, Executive Director of CEP
- Ms Jelka Klemenc, Head of Development Cooperation at CEP
In their opening remarks, speakers emphasised the importance of empowering youth voices, strengthening trust in institutions, and fostering political stability as essential steps towards a more inclusive and prosperous Bosnia and Herzegovina. Forum facilitator Mr Adnan Ćerimagić, analyst at the European Stability Initiative, underlined the power of narratives, true or false, in shaping a country’s present and future, urging participants to take ownership of the stories that define Bosnia and Herzegovina.
This Forum’s focus was on three key pillars for BiH’s tomorrow:
- European Integration – understanding the EU path & learning from best practices;
- Rule of Law & Fight Against Corruption – strengthening institutions & transparency;
- Interethnic Dialogue & Inclusive Leadership – fostering trust, cooperation & unity.
We had the pleasure of listening to experts in their respective fields, like Assoc. Prof. Dr Sabina Lange, who talked about the EU membership process, Prof. Dr Mojmir Mrak and Ms Vesna Pusić spoke about their stories with the EU negotiation process for Slovenia and Croatia; Doc. dr Faris Kočan and Prof. Dr Rok Zupančič dove deeper into Rule of Law and the importance of Interethnic dialogue in Post-conflict societies; and lastly, Mr Goran Klemenčič, former Minister of Justice and Chief Commissioner of the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption of the Republic of Slovenia, who held an anti-corruption lesson for our participants.
Our Young Bosnian leaders had the opportunity to meet with EU Commissioner for Enlargement Ms Marta Kos on the outskirts of the Bled Strategic Forum, where they discussed the role of youth in shaping political processes and advancing Bosnia and Herzegovina’s European perspective, while sharing their vision statement, prepared during the second forum.
The Participants also had the opportunity to join synergies with the Young Bled Strategic Forum and participate in their discussions, as well as attend the Bled Strategic Forum itself and listen to the insightful panels. Before they left beautiful Bled, they had a sit-down with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s Foreign Minister, H.E. Mr Elmedin Konaković, which led to a fruitful debate over coffee.
At the end of the forum the participant adopted a joint Resolution on Youth Vision and Recommendations for a More Effective Contribution to Democratic Governance.
Together, we’re laying the foundations for a new generation of leaders committed to an inclusive, just, and European-oriented future.
The activities within the project Enter: Change are supported by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia within the Slovenian Aid and Partnerships programme, and by the U.S. Embassy in Ljubljana.
More about the activites in the Flick gallery below:
28. 8. 2025 | PR, Slovenian Development Assistance, Ukraine
We are pleased to announce an upcoming strategic consultation meeting in Celje, dedicated to strengthening international cooperation and fostering new opportunities for recovery and development on September 3rd. This important event will bring together Slovenian mayors whose commitment and fruitful partnerships play a vital role in Ukraine’s recovery efforts — initiatives that remain at the heart of our Programme. Organised in partnership with the Slovenian Embassy in Kyiv, the meeting will be graciously hosted by the Mayor of Celje. This gathering aims to facilitate meaningful discussions on the future direction of our Programme, with a particular focus on enhancing economic cooperation, promoting sustainable development, and exploring innovative avenues for joint projects and shared growth.
We also warmly welcome new participants who are joining us for the first time, looking forward to their fresh perspectives and contributions, as we lay the groundwork for impactful initiatives that benefit both Slovenian communities as well as Ukraine’s ongoing reconstruction efforts.
The activities are supported by the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs through the Slovenian Aid and Partnership programme.
