15. 9. 2023 | EUCTI, POTC, PR
Centre for European Perspective has been a member of the European and Security Colleague (ESDC) for several years but has only this week attended its first Executive Academic Board. It took place on Tuesday, 12 September and brought together members of over 70 training institutions. They discussed several important documents, including Academic Programme 2023-2024, received updates on recent activities and events of the ESDC, learned about the European Doctoral School and had an open discussion on the need for the EU Climate Security and Defence Training platform that CEP is also an active member of. As several training institutions were present residentially in Brussels, it gave the CEP director a chance to talk to stakeholders who are highly relevant to CEP’s activities in the field of civilian crisis management.
The next day brought a new meeting in a new format as Nina Cepon and Jelka Klemenc visited the Council of the European Union, Committee on Civilian Aspects of the Missions and Operations (CIVCOM), where they got an opportunity to present activities of the EU Civilian Training Initiative (EUCTI) as well as the developing action proposal, which is planned to start next spring.
CEP has been an active partner of the European Training Community since 2008 and proudly took over a coordination role 2.5 years ago. As the EUCTI project is delivering planned outputs – useful need-based and tailor-made training courses in CSDP mission areas – consultations with the European Commission, CPCC and EEAS designed quite a concrete framework for the new training project. The new consortium will include not only civilian but also police and gendarmerie forces that are jointly aiming at well-prepared experts working in international operations and missions. Several have been sitting jointly around the table, discussing how to cooperate and coordinate better, how to share and pool resources, how to prioritise diverse needs and how to facilitate the EU to play the role of a global actor it aspires to.
Under the auspices of the ESDC, CEP (and in its capacity the Peace Operations Training Centre – POTC) is organising a Comprehensive Protection of Civilians training in Brussels at the beginning of October and planning to deliver Gender Equality and Gender Mainstreaming in Peace Operations and Missions training in April next year.
14. 9. 2023 | POTC, PR
Click here to read this article in English.
Včeraj, 13. september, smo uspešno na gradu Jable uspešno izvedli usposabljanje vojaškega in civilnega osebja katerega namen je preprečevanje trgovine z ljudmi v kontekstu mirovnih misij in operacij.
Usposabljanje je bilo namenjeno zaposlenim na Ministrstvu za obrambo RS in v Slovenski vojski. Natančnje so se udeleženci seznanili:
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z aktualnimi vsebinami s področja boja proti trgovini z ljudmi,
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s kazalniki za prepoznavo morebitnih žrtev in
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z ukrepi ob zaznavi tovrstnih kaznivih dejanj.
Cilj je, da pridobljeno znanje udeleženci usposabljanja prenesejo do pripadnic in pripadnikov Slovenske vojske, ki se bodo udeležili mednarodnih mirovnih misij in operacij, ter na ta način prispevajo tudi k zmanjševanju tega pojava v izvornih državah kot tudi na samih misijah.
Gre za prvo takšno usposabljanje zaposlenih na Ministrstvu za obrambo in v Slovenski vojski, ki poteka v organizaciji Centra za izobraževanje in usposabljanje za sodelovanje v mirovnih operacijah in misijah (POTC). POTC je v čast, da smo lahko učinkovito in uspešno sodelovali s kolegi z Ministrstva za notranje zadeve pri izvedbi le-tega. Poleg predstavnikov z Ministrstva za notranje zadeve, so za prenos znanja poskrbeli tudi kolegi s Slovenske policije in humanitarne organizacije Slovenska karitas.
8. 9. 2023 | POTC, PR
Click here to read this article in the English language.
Dne 13. septembra 2023 bo na Gradu Jable v Mengšu potekalo usposabljanje za uslužbence Ministrstva za obrambo in Slovenske vojske o nevarnostih trgovine z ljudmi v kontekstu mednarodnih mirovnih operacij in misij pred njihovim odhodom na le-te.
Problematika trgovine z ljudmi je kompleksna in zahteva združen pristop na nacionalni, regionalni in mednarodni ravni. Da bi se uspešno spopadli s to težavo, je ključno, da se vojaško in civilno osebje ustrezno usposobi.
V okviru tega boja deluje Medresorska delovna skupina za boj proti trgovini z ljudmi (MDS TZL), ki že dolga leta izvaja redna usposabljanja za strokovnjake s področja trgovine z ljudmi, med katerimi so policija, tožilstvo, centri za socialno delo, konzularno in diplomatsko osebje ter inšpektorji za delo. Vendar pa je za leto 2023-2024 sprejeta nova pobuda, ki vključuje tudi vojaško osebje.
Cilj usposabljanja je seznaniti udeležence z aktualnimi vsebinami s področja boja proti trgovini z ljudmi ter jih ozavestiti o njihovih dolžnostih, ko gre za zaznavo tovrstnih kaznivih dejanj. Poleg tega bo poudarek na zmanjševanju povpraševanja po storitvah in blagu, ki jih običajno izvajajo žrtve trgovine z ljudmi, v kontekstu samih mirovnih operacij.
To usposabljanje je v skladu z Natovo politiko boja proti trgovini z ljudmi, ki prav tako vključuje ozaveščanje in usposabljanje na tem pomembnem področju.
Organizatorji se veselijo predstaviti vsebine na tem ključnem usposabljanju, saj bo prispevalo k preprečevanju trgovine z ljudmi in zagotavljanju varnosti mednarodnih operacij in misij.
7. 8. 2023 | POTC, PR
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
From October 2 – 6 of this year, POTC will organise, in cooperation with the European Security and Defence College (ESDC), the Comprehensive Protection of Civilians (CPoC) Training in Brussels.
The content of this 6-day training is built around the concept of “protection of civilians” (PoC). It refers to the responsibility of states, international organisations and other actors to protect individuals, particularly non-combatants, from harm during armed conflict, natural disasters and other forms of violence. This includes protecting them from physical violence, such as harm caused by weapons, and other forms of harm, such as forced displacement, sexual violence, and denial of access to essential resources and services. The principles of PoC are enshrined in international humanitarian law and human rights law and are considered a crucial aspect of ensuring respect for human dignity in times of conflict and crisis.
The course is designed as a comprehensive introduction to the Protection of Civilians for military personnel (battalion level or above), police personnel (senior police officer or above) and civilian personnel (heads of sections or above). These include decision-makers, members of non-governmental organisations and individual civilian experts who expect to be deployed to international missions and operations or who work in civilian crisis management without prior knowledge or skills to prevent or respond to violence against civilians.
Qualified candidates who match the above description are asked to complete the online application form and submit it by latest September 1, 2023.
Applications are to be filed via the ESDC secure internet system ENLIST by designated nominators under https://esdc.europa.eu/enlist/login, no later than September 1st 2023. A list with relevant ENLIST nominators can be retrieved from the ESDC website at https://esdc.europa.eu/nominators/. Each nominator is kindly requested to nominate participants in order of preference. Alternatively, use the online application form available at the following link: POTC & ESDC Comprehensive Protection of Civilians (PoC) Course.
All submissions will be reviewed by the ESDC and the POTC. The selected participants will be notified in a timely manner within 10 days following the application deadline. In their final selection of participants, the course admission board will seek to ensure a balance of genders, nationalities and working contexts.
Additional information:
Contact [email protected] for any additional questions you might have.
10. 7. 2023 | POTC, PR
Za več informacij v slovenščini kliknite tukaj.
The Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC) is organising a Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT). The course will take place at Gotenica Police Training Centre in Slovenia from Sunday 24th to Friday 29th September 2023.
HEAT’s purpose is to train professionals to deal effectively with risk-associated and emergency/critical situations while deployed in hostile environments abroad.
Up to 24 professionals with different backgrounds, working or aiming to work with national or international (non)governmental organizations, academic or private sector are eligible to apply for participation in the training.
The participants will join an experienced group of Slovenian and foreign trainers for a five-day intensive course in the southwestern part of Slovenia. The training is designed to:
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improve participants’ knowledge about multiple threats present in hostile field environments and learn how to deal with them in an effective manner
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rehearse and practice safety and security procedures accordingly to specific threats
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develop skills and behaviours to deal with different stressful situations.
Activities include lectures, guided discussions, role-playing, simulations, and a complex field training exercise. Trainees will be addressing deployment in hostile environments (threat awareness, management of various threats, etc.), medical help, orientation, communications, mobility, etc.
Additional Information
The participation fee for an individual attendee amounts to 1700,00 € before taxes and covers all costs related to training delivery except travel costs. Participants, sent by the Slovenian Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, are exempt from paying a participation fee.
English proficiency is a precondition for attending as the training program is conducted in English. A valid driving license for cars with manual transmissions is required.
POTC reserves the right to reject the participation of any applicant without providing specific reasons. The selected applicants will receive information on their successful registration on August 21st at the latest.
All applicants should register here by August 20th 2023.
Course Director [email protected] is available for any additional information.
Download PDF with more information about HEAT here.
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25. 5. 2023 | EUCTI, PR
CEP’s Peace and Security and the Strategic Communication Department are happy to announce they will again be able to contribute to the overall efficiency, resilience and strength of the EU Advisory Mission in Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine). Under the auspices of the European Union Civilian Training Initiative (EUCTI), CEP will conduct a need-based online Advanced Digital Communication training, split into three days: 31 May, 7 & 13 June 2023.
The rapid and immense spread of dis- and misinformation and the emergence of quickly evolving artificial intelligence programmes and tools such as ChatGPT has strongly affected the work of civilian crisis management missions. Additionally, the war in Ukraine significantly contributed to the need of the EUAM Ukraine to focus even more and in a different way on digital communication tools and channels. In the past year, they have been able to help improve the resilience and effectiveness of civilian crisis management in the country through disseminating information, coordinating response efforts and engaging with the local communities. The tailor-made Advanced Digital Communication training will build on the knowledge and experience of the Press and Public Information Office personnel and provide them with practical examples of how to upgrade their communication efforts.
The course methodology is designed to maximise practical skill development. Through pre-training tasks, evaluations, and interactive sessions with the trainers, participants will engage in collective brainstorming, reflective practice, and case studies to reinforce their learning experience. They will also touch upon the findings of the EUAM Ukraine’s social media channels analysis, prepared by one of the trainers.
Digital Communication Modules
Each module of the course is tailored to address specific communication challenges:
- Storytelling, where participants will gain a deep understanding of storytelling methods and tools, enabling them to communicate complex topics effectively. Furthermore, by overcoming the “curse of knowledge,” they will learn to engage audiences through compelling narratives, improving the visibility of the mission and its activities.
- Social Media Report Analysis will provide practical and strategic guidance on improving social media channels. Participants will learn to optimise their communication strategies, outlook, and performances, enhancing their digital presence.
- Disinformation, where the participants will examine significant disinformation cases in Ukraine and worldwide, which will help them gain valuable insights and develop strategies to raise awareness and build resilience against disinformation.
- Meta platform changes will focus on the latest changes and future developments in Meta (formerly Facebook) since January 2023. With a focus on communication strategy, participants will gain valuable advice on adapting their communication activities to leverage the new platform effectively.
- and Telegram utilisation, through which the participants will receive essential training on Telegram, from efficient usage to launching and managing a successful Telegram channel. This module will equip participants with the skills needed to enhance their communication activities and prepare for the launch of their channel.
CEP is happy to support EUCTI and believes this training will help improve EUAM Ukraine’s communication strategies, learn and use storytelling techniques, and fight against dis- and misinformation. Last but not least, it will assist the mission personnel in adapting to new and evolving communication platforms. In turn, the mission’s overall impact and reach will be improved, alongside the participants’ skills necessary to excel in the dynamic world of digital communication.
