10. 11. 2025 | POTC, PR
As the curtain closes on the Climate Security with a Training of Trainers (ToT) Module Training, organised by POTC in partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Addis Ababa, we reflect on Slovenia-Somalia Cooperation through a week of transformative learning, collaboration, and commitment to addressing one of the most pressing challenges of our time: the intersection of climate change and security.
Kliknite tukaj za branje članka v slovenskem jeziku.
A Week of Impactful Learning
12 Somali participants working in the field of climate change, environmental protection, agriculture, security and education were at the centre of this specialised training programme. The need-based training was developed in accordance with the needs of the Somali counterparts and took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The end result was a training programme delivered by 4 expert trainers coming from Slovenia, Sweden and Ethiopia. Topics covered included: 9 Planetary Boundaries, Climate Change and Security, regional Climate-Conflict Dynamics, Climate-Induced Displacement, Environmental Peacebuilding, Water Security and how to design a training from A to Z, to name a few.
Slovenia-Somalia Cooperation and Partnership
The training brought together stakeholders from different institutions and countries, namely Slovenia and Somalia, with a common goal: deepening understanding of the effects of climate change on peace and security. In addition, participants deepened their knowledge and skills as trainers through the additional ToT module.
The training was organised in close cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Addis Ababa. H.E. Kristina Radej, the deputy and staff, made sure we had the necessary contacts and information from Ethiopia to deliver our first training here as smoothly as possible.
We would like to thank all the participants, the Government of Somalia, the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Addis Ababa, the excellent trainers and others who helped make this training a basis for future Slovenia-Somalia cooperation in the field of peace and security.
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20. 10. 2025 | POTC, PR
Climate change is profoundly reshaping the global security landscape, and Somalia finds itself at the epicentre of this challenge. Recognising the need for action and Slovenia’s promise to bolster African peace capabilities, the Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC) will deliver a specialised climate security training program tailored for policy-making government personnel from the Federal Republic of Somalia working in peace and security. The training will be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from 3–7 November 2025.
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As one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change, Somalia faces extreme droughts, devastating floods, and acute resource scarcity – all factors that exacerbate conflict and displacement. To address these pressing issues and empower Somalia’s peace personnel, POTC, in close partnership with the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Addis Ababa, will host a five-day intensive training. This program is designed to strengthen Somalia’s peace and security capabilities by equipping officials with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the complex intersection of climate and security.
The climate security training is specifically tailored for Somali government officials working in peace and security. Participants will delve into the critical connections between climate change, water security, and conflict, gaining practical tools to assess risks and develop effective mitigation strategies. A key feature of the training programme is the Training of Trainers (ToT) module, which will enable officials to disseminate their newfound expertise within Somalia’s security institutions, ensuring a lasting impact. The participants will have sessions designed and delivered by a group of experienced speakers and trainers from Slovenia, Sweden and Ethiopia whose aim will be to break down how climate change is changing the global security landscape and offer solutions to the rapid changes which are affecting all of us.
Fully funded by POTC, the programme covers travel, accommodation, and meals, eliminating financial barriers for participants. By building local capacity, this initiative aims to foster resilience and sustainable peace in a region where climate and security challenges are deeply intertwined.
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10. 10. 2025 | POTC, PR
Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC) has successfully concluded its UN-certified Comprehensive Protection of Civilians (CPoC) Training, held from October 6–10, 2025, at Jable Castle in Mengeš. This intensive five-day programme equipped participants with critical skills and knowledge to uphold the protection of civilians in conflict zones, humanitarian crises, and peace missions and operations.
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The CPoC training brought together future and current peace personnel as well as policymakers to strengthen their capacity in safeguarding vulnerable populations. Key focus areas included:
- understanding the international humanitarian and human rights laws governing PoC, including UN and EU mission mandates.
- practical tools & skills: training in effective PoC strategies, risk assessment, and response mechanisms in high-threat environments,
- climate change and protecting civilians in conflict,
- hybrid threats and the protection of civilians,
- a whole-day tabletop exercise where participants put their new skills and knowledge to the test.
The programme emphasised real-world applicability, ensuring participants left with actionable insights for deployment in international missions and crisis management roles.
The Protection of Civilians (PoC) remains a cornerstone of humanitarian law, addressing threats such as physical violence, forced displacement, sexual violence, and denial of essential resources. This training reinforced the shared responsibility of states, international organisations, and non-state actors to uphold human dignity in conflict settings.
POTC remains committed to expanding access to specialised training and will announce future editions of the training in 2026.
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30. 5. 2025 | Peace and security, POTC, PR
• Rzeszów, Poland – May 29, 2025
On Thursday, May 29, POTC successfully completed the tailor-made training “Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management” to Ukrainian State Emergency Service (SESU) personnel.
Kilknite tukaj za branje članka v slovenščini.
The 4-day training commenced with an introduction from Captain (N) Gorazd Bartol, defence attaché from the Embassy of Slovenia in Warsaw. Thereafter, the programme included sessions on climate security and environmental peacebuilding, climate-change-exacerbated disasters and disaster preparedness, also in the context of the Sendai Framework, crisis coordination mechanisms in the EU, monitoring, data collection and mapping, early warning systems and multi-hazard risk assessment methodologies. The training culminated in a table-top exercise with simulative role-playing within the fictitious scenario of the city of Pyropolis. Discussion-based tabletop exercise allowed the participants to apply all the knowledge and skills delivered throughout the training.
The goal of the training was to familiarise participants with an integrated, all-hazards approach to climate-induced disasters and emergencies. The training focused on potential mitigation measures to enhance prevention and preparedness, while also considering local specificities.
POTC would like to thank all of the speakers and colleagues who worked on this one-of-a-kind training and contributed to making it a success. A special thank you goes to Captain (N) Gorazd Bartol for a warm welcome in Poland. We would also like to thank the participants for their cooperation and engagement throughout the whole activity – we hope that the knowledge delivered will serve them well in their future endeavours in Ukraine.
The training activity was developed and organised in cooperation with the European Security and Defence College (ESDC).
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7. 10. 2024 | POTC, PR
We are pleased to announce the successful conclusion of the »Law, Policy and Science in Environmental Peacebuilding Training« co-organised with the Geneva Water Hub and delivered in partnership with the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Slovenia. The event, held from September 30 to October 4 at Jable Castle, gathered diverse professionals from various peace-related fields to explore the vital intersection between the environment and peacebuilding.
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Throughout the training, participants engaged in dynamic discussions and gained practical insights into the role of environmental factors in preventing conflicts and promoting sustainable peace. The program focused on key topics, including environmental governance, natural resource management in conflict-affected areas, and the importance of integrating environmental considerations into peace processes.
The training also aligned with Slovenia’s priorities in the United Nations Security Council, where the country emphasises the importance of environmental issues in global peace and security efforts. By building capacity in environmental peacebuilding, this initiative strengthens the ability of stakeholders to navigate the complexities of environmental challenges in fragile contexts, contributing to long-term peace.
We would like to thank all the participants and partners for making this training a success and above all the excellent speakers: Dr. Mara Tignino of the Geneva Water Hub, Ambassador at Large for Water Diplomacy Tanja Miškova, Faculty of Law Professor and Member of the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee Vasilka Sancin, Director of International Programs at the Environmental Law Institute Carl Bruch, Senior Policy Adviser at the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Stephen Robinson, Conflict Sensitivity Lead at the PeaceNexus Foundation Heloise Heyer, Former President of the Republic of Slovenia and Chair of the Global High Level Panel on Water and Peace Professor Danilo Türk, and Dr Caroline Pellaton and Dr Tadesse Kebebew of the Geneva Water Hub. Their contributions were instrumental in fostering an enriching learning environment and advancing the agenda of environmental peacebuilding.
We are confident that this training will help mainstream environmental issues in the peacebuilding arena, and we look forward to future collaboration with our partners to continue advancing this important work.
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