strategic communication

Stratcom Pilot Training Successfully Implemented at POTC

9. 12. 2024 | Peace and security, POTC, PR

From 3 to 6 December 2024, POTC implemented a Stratcom Pilot Training at Jable Castle in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence of Slovenia. The first edition of the training on strategic communication in the context of international operations and missions took place at Jable Castle.

Kliknite tukaj za branje članka v slovenskem jeziku.

Over the past couple of decades, exponential technological advances have introduced new mechanisms, tactics, techniques and means into warfare and, consequently, into international operations and missions (IOM), not only in all five domains (land, sea, air, cyber, space), but also and especially in the areas of cognition, information generation and information flow. As a result, geographically bounded phenomena have entered individual consciousness globally in real-time through different information channels, shaping thinking and influencing the values, attitudes and behaviour of target audiences. In such an environment, security processes, which were once limited in scope, required an integrated and synchronised approach by the whole of society. The understanding of this idea and its implementation influenced the end goal pursued and the effectiveness of action in ensuring national and international security. The above was the starting point and the basic guideline for the preparation of this pilot training.
At the end of the training, the participants who had attended the training received a certificate of successful completion.
The POTC would like to thank Lieutenant Colonel Nina Raduha and her team for their contribution to the delivery of the training. The feedback from this pilot training will be used to implement a second, updated edition of this activity next year.

Follow us on social media to keep up to date with our activities:

LinkedIn • X • Facebook

New Training Activity: Strategic Communication (StratCom) in the Contemporary Security Environment

25. 10. 2024 | Peace and security, POTC, PR

From 3 to 6 December 2024, we will hold the first edition of the training on strategic communication (StratCom) in the context of international operations and missions at Jable Castle, Slovenia.

Kliknite tukaj za branje članka v slovenskem jeziku.

Technological advances over the past decades have introduced new mechanisms, tactics, techniques and means (weapons, tools) into warfare and, consequently, into international operations and missions, not only in all five domains (land, sea, air, cyber, space), but also and especially in the areas of cognition, information generation and information flow. Through this, geographically bounded phenomena enter individual consciousness, shape thinking and started to influence the values, attitudes and behaviour of target audiences globally in real-time through different information channels. In such an environment, the once limited security processes require a whole-of-society approach that is holistic and synchronised among all actors. Understanding this idea and its implementation has an impact on the end goal and the effectiveness of the impact of our actions in the field of national and international security. Participants who will be present throughout the training will receive a certificate of successful participation at the end of the training, which will aid them in future career engagements.

The StratCom training will take place from 3 to 6 December 2024 at Jable Castle, Grajska cesta 1, 1234 Mengeš. Participants are expected to wear business casual or work uniforms for Slovenian Armed Forces (SAF) representatives. The whole training programme will be available after registration closes. Participation is free of charge, and all participants will be provided with lunch and refreshments during breaks.

Registrations for the training will be accepted until 24 November inclusive at the following link:

REGISTRATION (deadline: November 24)

Follow us on social media to keep up to date with our activities:

LinkedIn • X • Facebook

First EDDE Training for Slovenian government communicators has concluded

21. 6. 2024 | European Digital Diplomacy Exchange, PR

In an era where digital communication is of most importance, the European Digital Diplomacy Exchange (EDDE) Training held at the Jable Castle in Slovenia aimed to bolster the capabilities of government communicators in the digital realm. Hosted by the Centre for European Perspective (CEP), the two-day intensive training underscored the critical need for strategic digital messaging in combating disinformation and enhancing social cohesion. The event, titled “Improving Digital Strategic Messaging,” brought together almost thirty key stakeholders from Slovenian state institutions – from 10 ministries and 4 other state institutions, offering a robust agenda filled with expert-led sessions and practical exercises. The training’s objective was to equip participants with the tools and strategies necessary to navigate the complexities of digital communication effectively.

The training began with opening remarks from Michael Marble, the U.S. Embassy in Slovenia, Petra Bezjak Cirman, the Slovenian Government Communication Office, and Nina Čepon, the (CEP), highlighting the importance of strategic communication in the digital era. The first day of the training featured lectures on the theoretical aspects of strategic communication, including its role in fostering social unity, digital technologies driving social change, development of a strategic communication plan and components of a digital communication ecosystem. We also hosted a panel discussion providing comparative insights into strategic communication centralisation models from the U.S., North Macedonia, and Slovenia. On the second day, we touched upon the essential elements of designing a digital communication campaign, techniques for identifying and understanding the target audience, crafting policy messages and using digital media analytics. We also discussed ways to improve social media presence with concrete examples of Slovenian State Institutions. Lastly, we talked about countering disinformation with the use of strategic communication.

Participants had quite a few practical activities going on as well. They had to develop strategic communication centralisation assessment and improvement, build a digital strategic communication strategy and design a digital strategic communication campaign.

The EDDE Training provided a learning experience for all attendees. The combination of experts’ insights, practical activities, and collaborative discussions ensured that participants left with a comprehensive understanding of digital strategic messaging. The training underscored the crucial role that strategic communication plays in fostering social cohesion, countering disinformation, and enhancing the overall effectiveness of government messaging.

The project is a result of cooperation between the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Embassy in Ljubljana, and the Centre for European Perspective.

Conclusion of the second edition of EUSAIR Communication Academy

6. 7. 2023 | EUSAIR, PR, Regional cooperation, Strategic Communication

Countries and regions face challenges that know no borders; hence to tackle them successfully, they need to be addressed collectively. The EU Macro-regional strategies identify common needs and challenges of the region, as well as regional cooperation potentials. They connect people across borders, sectors and governance levels and help to coordinate joint policies. The EU Macro-regional strategies are meaningful and make regions stronger, more resilient and attractive.

EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region directly influences 70 million people from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia. It contributes to further integration of the internal market, to the region’s stability, and to foster cooperation between EU and non-EU countries.

It is of utmost importance that great results of the EU Macro-regional strategies are presented to the public, which is often challenging as the issues are complex. For that reason, in the framework of EUSAIR, the EUSAIR Communication Academy was organised for EUSAIR key implementers, government communicators and journalists. While the first edition focused on the tools and techniques needed for effective digital communication, the second edition focused on transferring abstract issues simply, comprehensively and persuasively.

EUSAIR Communication Academy 2.0 occurred from July 5th to July 6th in Thessaloniki. Thirty participants from seven countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Slovenia) attended the Academy. Four speakers shared knowledge with us and answered two main questions: what to communicate and how to communicate it successfully. All the lectures were followed by practical and short presentations. Some great ideas sparked, and we had interesting discussions. Like always, the official programme of the EUSAIR Communication Academy was combined with a rich informal part aiming to foster an environment for experience sharing, creating new links and strengthening the old ones.

IMG-20230706-WA0001

20230705_093913

EUSAIR logotipi (1080 × 1080 px) (1920 × 1080 px)

EUSAIR Communication Academy 2.0

4. 7. 2023 | EUSAIR, PR, Regional cooperation, Strategic Communication

EUSAIR Communication Academy 2.0

(5-6 July 2023)

This week a second edition of EUSAIR Communication Academy will be taking place in Thessaloniki in Greece.

The training is a continuation of EUSAIR Communication Academy, a three-part capacity-building program that took place in 2022. Whereby the first edition focused on the tools and techniques needed for effective digital communication, EUSAIR Communication Academy 2.0 will focus on explaining complex and abstract issues in a simple, comprehensible, and persuasive way. The participants will gain the critical skills and tools to support them in effectively communicating EUSAIR to the stakeholders and interested public. Participants attending the EUSAIR Communication Academy are EUSAIR key implementers, government communicators, and journalists.

During a two-day programme 30 participants from EUSAIR countries will attend communication workshops on the topics of simplifying messages and simplifying language, leveraging AI tools for communication purposes as well as effective communication with the media. The theory will be applied to practical tasks conntected to EUSAIR and its communication, such as developing EUSAIR key messages and writing press releases.

The official programme of the EUSAIR Communication Academy will be combined with a rich informal programme aiming to foster an environment for experience sharing among diverse participants.