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).
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!
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.
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.
|
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 21st, 2022.
23. 2. 2022 | PR, Serbia - management of patrols
Klikni tukaj za več o projektu v slovenščini 
Serbia, assisted by Slovenia, continues within the framework of the international development cooperation project, to strengthen its capacity for better management of border, general and traffic police patrols. Following the successful establishment of a patrol management system in pilot organizational units, and good experience in increasing efficiency and response to the needs of citizens, their protection and security, the project continues to upgrade the capabilities of ICT technology and a system that will support management of all organizational units of Serbia’s MIF that patrol or carry out fieldwork.
As part of these activities, a workshop a workshop is planned to be held in Belgrade for representatives of the Regional Police Administrations (PPU) and Regional Centres of Border Police Administrations (RC UGP): Bor, Piro, Požarevac, Sremska Mitrovica, Vranje, Zaječar and representatives of the Sector for Analytics, Telecommunications and Information Technology (SATIT).
The project is part of the program activities of international development cooperation, financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia and implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior and the Police of the Republic of Slovenia.
Further information:
Andreja Dolničar Jeraj
Programme Director
Centre for European Perspective
11. 1. 2022 | Bled Strategic Forum, PR, Young BSF
We invite you to read the recently released BSF 2021 Conference Report with an overview of the events, discussions, and issues tackled at the Bled Strategic Forum 2021 and Young Bled Strategic Forum 2021.
The 16th Bled Strategic Forum (BSF) took place on 1 and 2 September 2021 in Bled, Slovenia. The focus of the two-day event was the future of Europe with a call to increase its resilience to respond more effectively to current and future challenges.
The overarching theme of 2021 Bled Strategic Forum was the Future of Europe, with the panels structured in 4 clusters, showcasing the key areas for the debate – a cluster on the Future of Europe offered an honest and soul-searching debate on where Europe stands at this point and where is it heading, with discussions on the most pressing issues Europe is facing and the importance of a viable enlargement perspective and a process towards it for the Western Balkans to counter a growing influence of third countries in the region.
A cluster with global panels featured discussions on the status of Afghanistan, the rise of China and the changing balance in the world that will significantly affect the future European standing in the world and thus its future. Analysis of the EU’s policies and their effects, strengthening the cohesion and an increased presence in the world were recognised as key challenges. Stronger cooperation with India and Africa were also discussed.
While global developments will in no small measure determine the general direction the EU will head towards in the future, the regional outlook and development will have an even greater impact on the Future of Europe – with discussions in the regional cluster panels addressing the CEE region, the Three Seas Initiative and Eastern Partnership, alongside discussions focused on Europe’s defence, security and stability in the Mediterranean and cooperation in the Adriatic.
The cluster of transformational panels showcased some of the areas, issues and challenges Europe must face to better prepare for the future. Discussions addressed post-epidemic sustainable economic recovery, green and social recovery, future of European tourism, sustainable future growth, digital and transatlantic cooperation, cybersecurity, exploration of space, decarbonisation of transport, climate neutrality and COP26, the importance of strategic communication and communication with citizens, and the fight against disinformation.
You can find the BSF Conference Report here.
16. 12. 2021 | EUPCST, PR
Centre for European Perspective successfully concluded the hybrid hosting of the third European Union Police and Civilian Services Training (EUPCST) Steering Committee meeting. The meeting taking place between 14 and 16 December in hybrid format enabled 18 project partners to discuss and network in-person at Jable castle, Slovenia, and with the rest of the partners via the Zoom platform online.
During the two-day programme the discussions between all partners focused on the results of the EUPCST activities implemented from 2019 to 2021 (which resulted in high satisfaction of participants, referring to the conducted evaluations), challenges faced during this period (mostly referring to COVID-19 pandemics), and proposed improvements for future engagements so that they can enable staff in civilian crisis management and stabilisation actions to work in a more efficient, effective, and sustainable manner and to achieve their mandates.
Partners also worked on the complementation of the tentative plan where they coordinated amongst each other the future activities that will be implemented in 2022. The plan for 2022 is ambitious and there will be many different opportunities provided for the transfer of knowledge and skills to the personnel deployed to international missions and operations through training programmes, knowledge sharing congresses, and workshops.
