4. 5. 2023 | Bled Strategic Forum, POTC, PR
Last week, from the 24th to the 26 of April, Jable Castle welcomed 33 participants from 25 countries in what was the first training of its kind on the topic of the emerging concept of “climate security”. 20+ participants were previously part of the 12th International Africa Day Conference in a joint venture between the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs and POTC/Centre for European Perspective.
Kliknite tukaj za branje članka v slovenskem jeziku.
According to the definition of the General Secretariat of the Council of the European Union »climate security« refers to the potential impacts of climate change on peace and security across the globe, particularly for the poorest and most vulnerable populations. It encompasses various risk management strategies such as mitigation, adaptation, resilience building, food and nutrition security, disaster risk reduction, conflict prevention and sustainable development. It also includes the integration of a security perspective within these processes and inclusive participation in order to alleviate the destabilising impacts of climate change on achieving sustainable development goals (SDGs).
With this in mind, and the known future impact of climate change on peace operations themselves, POTC set out to develop one of the first trainings of this kind in Europe. This is in order to better prepare decision-makers, experts, and everyone else involved with peace operations for the impending difficulties that peace operations, governments, and international organisations will have to face in the coming decades.
The training was introductory and covered all the basics associated with climate change and peace operations with topics ranging from the 9 Planetary Boundaries, Climate Change, the Environment and Security, the International Legal Framework regarding Climate Change, Water Security as an Integral Part of Climate Security, Climate Mainstreaming in the EU CSDP Context, Energy Security, CC and Human Rights, Climate Justice and Collective vs Individual Action on Climate Change. This was made possible with the help of 9 Slovenian and foreign expert contributors who made sure that the participants received all the relevant knowledge that will help them make the right decisions when it comes to climate security. The training is intended to be developed even further and organised once again in 2024.
The POTC Team would like to thank everyone that attended the training, the expert contributors and the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs with special thanks to State Secretary Samuel Žbogar for presenting the participants with Course Certificates.
Below you can view some of the training highlights:
Flickr Album (Photo: Marko Arandjelović)
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21. 4. 2023 | POTC, PR
Kliknite tukaj za branje prispevka v slovenskem jeziku.
The Sahel Peace and Security Seminar (Sahel region from a peace and security perspective), organised by the Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC) in cooperation with the French Ministry of Armed Forces, was conducted successfully between the 19th and 20th of April at Jable Castle in Slovenia.
With 28 participants in attendance, the seminar delved into various critical topics related to the Sahel region, including its historical and geopolitical aspects, security challenges for Europe, conflict resolution, development as a security issue, and challenges of Sahel cooperation between the Sahel countries and Europe.
The seminar provided a platform for in-depth discussions on the complex challenges faced by the Sahel region and emphasised the need for a comprehensive approach that integrates security, development, governance, and cooperation efforts. Participants engaged in thought-provoking sessions, including a review of the EU integrated strategy for the Sahel, a French approach to the Sahel region with a focus on two key countries by 2034, and the future of conflict resolution in the Sahel. The seminar concluded with a comprehensive overview of the discussions and key takeaways. It highlighted the significance of regional and international cooperation, as well as the involvement of local and regional actors, in addressing the multifaceted issues in the Sahel region.
In conclusion, the seminar on the Sahel region organised by the POTC and the French Ministry of Armed Forces was a success as it provided a valuable forum for participants to engage in meaningful discussions on various critical topics and fostered a greater understanding of the peace and security challenges in the Sahel region. The seminar’s outcomes will undoubtedly contribute to ongoing efforts in addressing the complex issues facing the Sahel region and promote peace and security in the region.
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24. 3. 2023 | POTC, PR
The past week, POTC successfully organised the 3-day Gender Equality and Gender Mainstreaming in Peace Operations and Missions training course, which officially concluded on April 23. This was the fifth edition of the training under the auspices of POTC.
Klikni tukaj za branje prispevka v slovenskem jeziku.
Participants from Slovenia and elsewhere in Europe were engaged in a stimulating multi-day training course that aimed to inform and educate about gender equality and gender mainstreaming in international missions and operations.
The focus of the gender mainstreaming course was primarily on:
- learning and understanding the concept of gender, sexual differences, biological and social determinants
- knowing and understanding the different consequences and outcomes that gender identity and sexual orientation have on people living in conflict zones
- getting to know the international legal framework that ensures gender equality in international operations and missions
- learning about the concrete tools and approaches for gender mainstreaming in international missions and operations
- practical mission knowledge from experienced trainers on the topic
The lecturers and participants all contributed to a fruitful and informative course that will hopefully impact peace operations and other areas of work in a positive and balancing manner.
We wish to thank everyone involved and look forward to our next courses!
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24. 3. 2023 | EUCTI, POTC, PR
Kliknite tukaj za branje prispevka v slovenskem jeziku
This Wednesday, February 22nd, Jable Castle was visited by military attachés accredited to or working in Slovenia. The visit was organised by the Defence Policy Directorate of the Ministry of Defence.
Nina Čepon, CEP Acting Executive Director, and Markko Kallonnen, EUCTI Project Coordinator, both presented the work of POTC, EUCTI and CEP in a productive and insightful visit of military attachés. They mentioned both the activities of CEP as a whole as well as the civilian crisis management sectors, concretely EUCTI and POTC. The presentations concluded with a fruitful Q&A session where questions were answered, and opinions were shared.
At the end of the presentations, Colonel Mitja Miklavec of the Bilateral and Multilateral Affairs Division of the Defence Policy Directorate from the Slovenian MOD gave some concluding remarks, thanked the hosts, and highlighted the refreshing work that POTC is doing, combining the visions of the three ministries. He also shared his thought that »POTC is linking us together for future activities« in the sense that attaché networking benefits all partner countries moving forward.
The visit formally concluded with a networking coffee break.
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17. 3. 2023 | EUCTI, PR
As an active European Union Civilian Training Initiative (EUCTI) Consortium partner, the Centre for European Perspective joined the EUCTI Partner and Planning meeting between 13 and 15 March in Brussels. As was the case during the last such meeting in November 2022, the project partners (alongside CEP: ACP from Austria, the Clingendael Institute from the Netherlands, CMC Finland, Egmont Institute from Belgium, FBA from Sweden, SSSA from Italy and ZIF Berlin) were joined by the representatives of relevant EU structures. Additionally, representatives of the European Security and Defence College (ESDC) and interested partners of the recently finished EUPCST project attended the meeting.
Even before the double P (Planning and Partner) meeting, CEP attended the European Union Civilian Training Group (EUCTG) meeting on 13 March in its capacity as the EU Civilian Coordinator for Training (CCT) and National Training Expert (NTE – together with Slovenian Police). As CCT, CEP prepared a Training Requirement Analysis on Communicational, Behavioral and Cultural Skills in 2021. One of the meeting topics was also the future of Foreign Policy Instrument-funded training projects, which corresponds with the EUCTI project.
The suggestions and insights from the EUCTG meeting represented a necessary basis for the discussion on the future of EUCTI, held during the double P meeting between 14 and 15 March. CEP actively participated in this discussion and expressed reiterated support for the project and a wish to remain an engaged partner in the next project phase.
In May, CEP will implement advanced Digital Communications training for European Advisory Mission in Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine). Details will follow soon.
For more information about EUCTI and the meeting, click on the EUCTI logo below.
8. 3. 2023 | POTC, PR
Kliknite tukaj za branje prispevka v slovenskem jeziku.
In April, Peace Operations and Training Centre (POTC) will organise a training titled “Acquaintance with the Sahel Region – the Peace and Security Perspective” that will run from 19–20 April at Jable Castle, Slovenia.
The countries of the Sahel are experiencing several crises simultaneously, including a security crisis with regular attacks on civilians and security forces by armed terrorist groups. Relations between European countries, the EU and the countries of the Sahel, in particular the G5 Sahel countries (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger), are of strategic importance for European countries, especially those bordering the Mediterranean, including Slovenia, in terms of security and stability, international commitments on climate and sustainable development, and migration routes to Europe.
The training will bring together national and French experts to present the current security situation in the Sahel and the outlook for the near future.
Participants will learn about:
- Historical, geographical, (geo)political and economic aspects of the region.
- Security challenges between the Sahel and Europe.
- The security situation in selected countries of the region.
Some more general information about the training:
- English will be the working language.
- 25 places are available for participants.
- Coffee/tea and lunch will be provided during the training.
- Registration is open until the 11th of April 2023.
For more information about the training, please contact: [email protected]
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