This course focuses on the protection of civilians (PoC), by addressing the responsibilities of states, international organizations, and other actors to safeguard individuals, particularly non-combatants, from harm during armed conflicts, natural disasters, and other forms of violence. PoC includes shielding individuals from physical violence, forced displacement, sexual violence, and denial of essential resources and services. The principles of PoC are rooted in international humanitarian and human rights laws and are vital for upholding human dignity during conflicts and crises.
The Comprehensive Protection of Civilians course is primarily designed for police and civilian personnel, including decision-makers, members of non-governmental organisations and individual civilian experts, who are to be deployed to international missions and operations or who are working in civilian crisis management, with no prior knowledge or skills in preventing or responding to violence against civilians. Working language of the course is English and participants are expected to be fluent in English (C1 level or higher).
The aim of the course is for the participants to understand the conceptual, legal and operational framework in protection of civilians, and to provide the participants with understanding of PoC practice in UN and EU missions and operations, effective tools used in practice, skills and knowledge for working in missions with a PoC mandate, understanding of the basic legal framework and documents, and an understanding of UN, EU and NATO operational concepts for PoC.
The residential part of the course will take place between 21 and 25 October 2024 at Jable Castle in Loka pri Mengšu, Slovenia. Participants will also have to complete the mandatory e-learning modules prior to arriving in Slovenia.
Attendance is free of charge for all selected participants. The POTC will also cover:
accommodation costs in a designated hotel for the entire duration of the training travel costs;
reimbursement of plane/train tickets for arrival and departure to and from Slovenia in the maximum amount of 1.000,00 € per participant;
local transport costs between the airport and the hotel;
local transport between the hotel and the course venue;
lunch, beverages and other refreshments provided during the training course at Jable castle
Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC), in cooperation with the European Security and Defence College (ESDC), successfully delivered the training activity “A Comprehensive Approach to Gender in Operations.” It ran from March 19-21 at Jable Castle, with an extra day of self-paced eLearning.
During the course, participants learned about integrating a gender perspective into peace operations and understanding legal frameworks related to gender equality. The programme targeted civilian experts, police, and military personnel involved in international missions. The POTC Team was satisfied with enthusiastic and engaged participants, making the sessions lively and dynamic. The extracurricular activities in Ljubljana also provided valuable insights into the topic at hand.
In the end, 24 participants received a certificate for successfully completing the training. Special thanks go to the excellent trainers, with special appreciation to the ESDC Policy Officer/Training Manager, whose help was essential in making this training run smoothly.
For more information about the training and more, you can follow us on social media:
Peace Operations Training Centre (POTC) and the European Security and Defence College (ESDC) have joined forces to organise a training course titled “A Comprehensive Approach to Gender in Operations.” Scheduled from March 19-21 at Jable Castle with one extra day of self-paced eLearning, the program aims to enhance operational effectiveness by equipping participants with the knowledge and skills to integrate a gender perspective in international peace operations and missions.
The training course, developed based on the ESDC’s Activity Number 21 curriculum and POTC’s prior training activities, focuses on key learning objectives spanning knowledge, skills, and competence outcomes. Participants will gain insights into recognising the relevance of a gender perspective in peace operations, understanding international legal frameworks related to gender equality, and identifying security needs and perspectives of local populations in crisis or conflict environments.
The target audience for the program includes 20 civilian experts, police, and military personnel actively involved or planning to participate in international missions or operations. The course is open to middle-management military officials, civilians, police, and diplomats from EU Member States and institutions, as well as individuals interested in future participation in CSDP, NATO, OSCE, or UN missions.
The application process is open until February 29th, 2024, with a selection process conducted by POTC/ESDC. Notification of selection will be communicated by March 3rd, 2024. The working language of the training is English, and fluency in English is required.
Participation during the whole duration of the gender in operations training (3 full days at Jable Castle with approximately 10 hours of program/day and approximately 4 hours of the eLearning module
prior to the start of the training) is mandatory in order to receive a certificate of participation at the end of the training. Participants who are not from Slovenia are expected to arrive no later than Monday, 18th of March.
Accommodation will not be covered by POTC. However, upon request, POTC can assist with finding economic accommodation in Ljubljana, which is 15 minutes away from Jable Castle. Upon request, POTC can also assist with finding optimal local transport solutions for participants coming from outside of Slovenia.
Application of participants is through national nominators: List of ESDC Nominators (ENLIST system)
For further information, interested individuals can contact: [email protected]
This comprehensive training initiative reflects the commitment of POTC and ESDC to advancing gender equality and mainstreaming in international peace operations and missions.
For more information about the training and more, you can follow us on social media:
On October 6th POTC successfully delivered the 5-day Comprehensive Protection of Civilians (CPoC) Training to a group of engaged and motivated participants.
In an increasingly interconnected and turbulent world, the need to safeguard the well-being of civilians caught in the crossfire of conflicts, natural disasters, and other forms of violence has never been more paramount. Over the course of 5 days (and 1 day of e-learning), participants from diverse backgrounds, including military, police, and civilian personnel, delved deep into the concept of “Protection of Civilians” (PoC), unravelling its intricate dimensions and reinforcing their commitment to the cause.
The training empowered participants with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to prevent and respond to violence against civilians. For those without prior experience in civilian crisis management or international missions, this training was an invaluable resource, equipping them with the expertise needed to make a meaningful impact in the protection of civilians.
Delivering this training would not be possible without the cooperation of the European Security and Defence College (ESDC), namely ESDC Policy Officer/Training Manager Enver Ferhatović, and the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Slovenia to the European Union staff, as well as the ESDC Deputy Head Fergal O’Regan and Slovenian Permanent Representative Ambassador Iztok Jarc.
We fully believe that with renewed determination and a broader perspective, the participants of this training are now better equipped to champion the cause of the Protection of Civilians and work towards a safer and more compassionate world for all.
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.
