20. 5. 2020 | POTC, PR
We are proud to announce that the constituent session of the Program Council of the Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC), consisting of State Secretary Mr Tone Kajzer from Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Ministrstvo za zunanje zadeve RS, State Secretary Mr Franc Kangler from Ministrstvo za notranje zadeve, State Secretary Mr Uroš Lampret from Ministrstvo za obrambo RS/Slovenian Ministry of Defence and CEP Executive Director Ms Katja Geršak, was held on the 19th May 2020. The constituent session was followed by a solemn signing of the Rules of Procedure of the POTC Program Council and an agreement on the substantive priorities of the first year of operation of the POTC.
Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC) was established by the official decision of the Slovenian Government, issued on the 19th July 2019, following the expert opinion of an inter-ministerial working group set up by the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of the Interior, in cooperation with CEP and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that carried out a comprehensive external expert evaluation and concluded that the establishment of a POTC could help in developing a comprehensive approach to training in peacekeeping operations and missions, and enable Slovenia in passing on its experience and knowledge in the field of such trainings through such a Center.
CEP Executive Director, Ms Geršak, thanked the State Secretaries for their contribution to this event. She stressed the importance of establishing a POTC as there are few such interdepartmental training centers in the world. It was also noted that in 2020, CEP will take over the coordination of a new EU project whose main activities will include conducting trainings in countries where European Union civilian missions operate, which will provide an opportunity to promote POTC and Slovenia in the next three years. All three State Secretaries welcomed the establishment of the POTC and signing of the Rules of Procedure.
State Secretary Kajzer pointed out that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs estimates that the POTC is extremely important for strengthening Slovenia’s credibility within the EU and for strengthening transatlantic relations. It will also enable a comprehensive approach in the field of training, consolidation of knowledge between departments as well as exploiting the synergies of all stakeholders. State Secretary Lampret emphasized the good experience of cooperation between the Ministry of Defense and Slovenian Armed Forces with CEP so far and looks forward to furthering joint work. Slovenia’s contribution to the UN is especially important to the Ministry of Defense, as they have always sought a balance of cooperation in areas that are important for Slovenia.
25. 7. 2019 | ENTRi, IECEU, LET4CAP, POTC, PR
Slovenia is now opening the Centre for Education and Training for Participation in Peacekeeping Operations and Missions at Centre for European Perspective (CEP)
Click here to read more about the project in Slovenian language. 
Centre for education and training for participation in peacekeeping operations and missions will be implementing certified trainings and education for soldiers, police officers, civilian personnel of the ministries and other civilian experts that can be deployed to peacekeeping operations and missions within the UN, EU, NATO and OSCE. Skills and knowledge that experts at the peacekeeping operations and missions need, are very specific and diverse and are closely linked to the needs of the international institutions and their cooperation. These most commonly refer to the work and life in a multicultural environment, protection of human rights, cooperation with local personnel, training of trainer’s skills, as well as techniques and skills for work in a hostile environment.
Centre for European Perspective (CEP) has been for over a decade actively involved in European projects that aim at improving the competences of Slovene and foreign experts, who are deployed to peacekeeping operations and missions of the UN, EU, NATO and OSCE. Through our projects we are enabling access to diverse trainings for Slovene experts in Slovenia, we are sharing expertise of our experts with rich international experiences and continue to learn from the best European partners. CEP has been currently working on three projects: ENTRi – Europe’s New Training Initiative for Civilian Crisis Management , LET4Cap – Law Enforcement Training for Capacity Building and EUPCST – European Union Police and Civilian Services Training, that are striving to align trainings among participating countries, or better said, training institutions across Europe. CEP has also gained valuable experiences though the research project that was financed through the Horizon 2020, IECEU – Improving the Effectiveness of Capabilities in EU Conflict Prevention.
Organization and implementation of trainings for participation in peacekeeping operations and missions would not be possible without the support and cooperation of the ministries of interior, foreign affairs and defense. All these years, the cooperation and coordination were done informally. As activities have largely increased, an inter-ministerial analysis in close cooperation with Ministry of defense, Ministry of interior and Ministry of foreign affairs about potential synergies in the field of training, proved – also due to the membership of Slovenia in UN, EU and NATO – that an inter-ministerial cooperation with CEP should be formalized. This was the basis for the establishment of the Centre for education and training for participation in peacekeeping operations and missions that will be operating within CEP.
22. 10. 2018 | HEAT, PR, Security
Civilians deployed in missions abroad can be subjected to potentially dangerous working conditions and hazardous situations. It is essential for them to be aware of the risks and challenges such a workplace embodies. That is precisely the focus point of the Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT), as it aims to educate civil experts on a wide range of topics and equip them to be more suited for the challenges that may occur in a conflict area. Three day training was organised by the Centre for European Perspective (CEP) in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Slovenia, Slovenian Police and Slovenian Armed Forces.
This year’s HEAT took place between the 16th and the 18th of October, and was organised in the Police training facility Gotenica, as it includes all the capabilities needed for a successful training. The event brought together 16 participants from three countries, representatives from the Slovene police force and Slovenian Armed Forces, other civil and security experts and a wide range of volunteers helping in the concluding simulation.
The participants were a part of a simulated European Union mission from their first step in the training, and worked together to resolve the crisis situation happening on their doorstep. They were subjected to multiple challenges that tested their experience in theory and practice. Working in smaller groups, participants improved their team dynamics, while their physical and cognitive capabilities were challenged to the breaking point by different circumstances, no different from a potential real mission. They were included in presentations, workshop and practical exercises on the topic of their personal security in the field, orientation skills, medical assistance, communication skills and many other useful technical capabilities. The peak of the training was a simulation with different scenarios that encompassed all the knowledge gained throughout the past days.
The training successfully concluded on Thursday evening with an evaluation session of the gained experience and a closing ceremony, also attended by Mr Vladimir Pocek, Head of Division for International Police Operations of the Slovenian Police. The participants all successfully finished the course and are equipped with new experiences, techniques and knowledge that will, if needed, prove to be beneficial to their current or future work posts.
7. 9. 2018 | HEAT, PR, Security
International staff often operates in unstable and dangerous environments: armed conflict, organised crime, theft, assault, hostage taking, etc. The most important duty of care of states and organisations, sending their personnel to dangerous environments, is to assure their safety and security. Hostile environment awareness training (HEAT) presents a fundamental training for anyone working in risk-associated, insecure or hostile environment.
CEP is this year again organising an intensive three-day course that aims to train professionals to effectively deal with risks-associated and emergency/critical situations while deployed in hostile environments abroad. The training provides a comprehensive approach to the relevant issues in this area and is designed to put participants in stressful situations, preparing them for worst-case scenarios. Simulations of real-life situations complement essential classroom theory. The course is designed for people who are or will be working in a conflict area to understand the required behavioural requirements.
HEAT intends to:
- improve participants’ knowledge about multiple threats present in hostile environments as well as how to deal with them in an effective manner;
- rehearse and practice safety and security procedures accordingly with the specific threat;
- trigger individual skill dealing with different stressful situations;
- trigger group dynamics dealing with multiple stressful situations.
The training consists of five modules. Activities include lectures, guided discussions, role plays and simulations. Trainees will be talking about being deployed in hostile environment (threat awareness and management of various threats, etc.), medical help (vaccinations, personal hygiene, and first aid), orientation, communications (GPS, radio, satellite phone) and off road vehicles driving. Practical activities and field simulations will be dedicated to practicing newly gained skills and will intentionally expose trainees to situations they are likely to encounter on a mission.
Training is organised by the Centre for European Perspective in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior of the Republic of Slovenia, Slovenian Police and Slovenian Armed Forces.
DATE and LOCATION
Training will be held between 16 and 18 October 2018 at the Police Training Centre Gotenica located in the south-eastern part of Slovenia, 60 km from Ljubljana Airport. Gotenica is a training village with the capacity of hosting 150 people with all needed training facilities as well as full board accommodation for all participants.
REGISTRATION
Please register by using the application form below to Nina Čepon ([email protected]).
Note: All participants need to have a valid driving license in order to drive 4×4 vehicles.
In order to acquire more information please contact Ivana Boštjančič Pulko ([email protected]; +386 (0)1 560 86 03).
COSTS
Training fee: 1.500,00 € (tuition fees, course material, full board accommodation).
Local transportation to Gotenica for trainees from other countries will be organised by CEP.
Logistical information HEAT 30-08-2018
HEAT_CEP Application Form 2018
HEAT 2018 CEP Declaration of Exclusion of Liability
8. 12. 2016 | POTC, PR, Slovenian Development Assistance
On Wednesday, 30 November 2016, a presentation of a comprehensive analysis of national capacities for the establishment of Interministerial Peace Operations Training Centre for police, military and civilian personnel to be deployed in international operations and missions of the United Nations took place at the premises of the Ministry of Defence.
The presentation was attended by Minister of Defence Ms Andreja Katič, Head of Minister’s Office MSc Petra Culetto, Director-General for Defence Policy Directorate MSc Aleš Mišmaš and Head of International Operations and Missions Division Ms Nataša Dolenc Lisec in addition to the members of Interministerial Working Group.
Comprehensive analysis was prepared by Interministerial Working Group in the scope of its mandate. The work comprises of an overview of all and comparable national programs preforming the training of police, military and civilian personnel to be deployed in international operations and missions of the UN, NATO and the EU. A comparison of systems, training providers and programs in the United Nations, NATO and the EU and in selected European countries was made as well together with an analysis of the legal, human, financial, technical and other capabilities in order to establish common organizational forms of cooperation between military, police and civilian entities. The Group concluded the analysis with a proposal for the establishment of IPOTC (Interministerial Peace Operations Training Centre), which would, according to common objectives and benefits for the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also fulfil the rights, duties and obligations held by Slovenia as a member of the UN and other international organizations.
Minister considered the proposal for the establishment of IPOTC as an important step forward. Slovenia is next year we celebrating 20 years from the first Slovenian deployment to international missions and operations.
Predstavitev celovite analize nacionalnih zmogljivosti za vzpostavitev morebitnega medresorskega centra za usposabljanje policistov ter vojaških in civilnih oseb za sodelovanje v mednarodnih operacijah in misijah Združenih narodov ministrici za obrambo
V prostorih ministrstva za obrambo je v sredo, 30. novembra 2016, potekala predstavitev celovite analize nacionalnih zmogljivosti za vzpostavitev morebitnega medresorskega centra za usposabljanje policistov ter vojaških in civilnih oseb za sodelovanje v mednarodnih operacijah in misijah (MOM) Združenih narodov.
Na predstavitvi je bila poleg članov medresorske delovne skupine (MDS) prisotna ministrica za obrambo ga. Andreja Katič, vodja kabineta mag. Petra Culetto, generalni direktor direktorata za obrambno politiko mag. Aleš Mišmaš, ter vodja sektorja za mednarodne operacije in misije ga. Nataša Dolenc Lisec.
Celovito analizo je v okviru svojega mandata pripravila medresorska delovna skupina, ki obsega pregled vseh in primerljivih nacionalnih programov, ki izvajajo usposabljanja policistov ter vojaških in civilnih oseb za sodelovanje v MOM ZN, Nata in EU, naredila primerjavo sistemov usposabljanja in izvajalcev programov v ZN, Nato in EU ter v izbranih evropskih državah ter analizo pravnih, kadrovskih, finančnih, tehničnih in drugih zmogljivosti za oblikovanje morebitnih skupnih organizacijskih oblik sodelovanja vojske, policije in civilnih subjektov. V zaključku analize je podala predlog za ustanovitev IPOTC (Interministerial Peace Operations Training Centre), ki bi glede na skupne cilje in koristi za MORS, MNZ in MZZ, temeljil tudi na izpolnjevanju pravic, dolžnosti in obveznosti, ki jih ima Slovenija kot članica ZN in drugih mednarodnih organizacij.
Predlog ustanovitve IPOTC je ministrica ocenila kot pomemben premik naprej. Od prvih slovenskih napotitev na mednarodne misije in operacije bo prihodnje leto namreč minilo 20 let.
25. 10. 2016 | HEAT, PR
Centre for European Perspective (CEP) has started an intensive four-day Hostile Environment Awareness Training (HEAT) at the Police Training Centre Gotenica. Training is organized in close cooperation with Slovenian Police and Slovenian Armed Forces and will conclude on Friday evening.
15 participants from Afghanistan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland, Libya and Slovenia are taking the course. Most of them already deployed or are about to be deployed in civilian crisis management missions abroad. The training started with Ivana Boštjančič Pulko’s introduction to the training, followed by team building and presentation on personal security in the field by Mr Aleš Grudnik. The course will continue with classroom and field exercise, such as 4×4 driving, evacuation planning, orientation skills, management of threat related to gatherings, protests, demonstrations, medical training and stress management, awareness of weapons, mines and UXOs, as well as kidnap analysis and hostage survival.
The course is aims to deliver the tools the participants need in order to survive in hostile environments and deal with all levels of stress should they occur.
