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.
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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16. 2. 2023 | Bled Strategic Forum, POTC, PR
Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC) is organising its newest pilot training course titled »Climate Change, Peace and Security«, which will take place back-to-back with the 12th Africa Day International Conference between 24-26 of April in Slovenia.
Climate change is a security issue and a global threat multiplier. While climate change does not directly cause violent conflict, its impacts can exacerbate its drivers. Climate change can undermine livelihoods, increase mass migration, and weaken the governance and stability of states, particularly conflict-affected fragile states and territories. The European Union (EU), NATO and the UN have actively been calling for peace operations to assess climate risks and establish management strategies that incorporate these risks. With this in mind, POTC developed a comprehensive training programme that covers different aspects of the environmental peacebuilding, climate and security nexus at an introductory level. After its successful completion, the participants will be able to understand and analyse climate-related security risks and be better prepared to contribute to crisis prevention and sustaining peace.
The enrollment procedure is now open, so we encourage everyone interested to apply here by the 24th of March, 2023.
Due to the visa obtainment process, participants from African countries should apply by February 26th, 2023.
Additional information:
- The training is free of charge.
- Organisers do not cover travel and accommodation costs. However, we will provide support and recommendations.
- The working language is English.
- The organisers will cover coffee/tea breaks and lunch.
- Participants will be notified about the selection no later than March 31st, 2023.
- Location of the training: Jable Castle, Grajska Cesta 1, Mengeš, Slovenia.
The draft agenda of the training course can be viewed here.
Contact [email protected] for any additional questions you might have.
For more information about the 12th Africa Day International Conference, please view the following link: 12th Africa Days International Conference
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25. 1. 2023 | POTC, PR
Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC) is organising a training on Gender Equality and Gender Mainstreaming in Peace Operations and Missions, which will take place in person at Jable Castle, Slovenia, from 21 March to 23 March 2023.
The training is intended for police, civilian and military personnel, who plan to join international missions and operations.
Violent conflict disproportionately affects women and girls and intensifies pre-existing gender inequalities and discrimination. 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 understandings, 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 lectures, workshops and participatory activities will cover the basic topics of gender mainstreaming. 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.
There are vacant seats still available, so we encourage everyone interested to apply here by the 26th of February 2023.
Additional information:
- the training is free of charge.
- Travel and accommodation costs are not covered by organizers. However, we will provide support and recommendations.
- The working language is English.
- Coffee breaks and lunch will be covered by the organisers.
- Participants will be notified about the selection no later than the 28th of February 2023.
- Location of the training: Jable Castle, Grajska Cesta 1, 1234 Mengeš, Slovenia
You may find more information about the training on the flyer above.
Contact [email protected] for any additional questions you might have.
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