THIS CONTENT HAS BEEN ARCHIVED

ESDC/Western Balkans: CSDP training programme 2018 successfully closed

30.11.2018
Teaser

Vienna was the location for the final module of the CSDP training programme for the Western Balkan partners. In its 12th cycle, the training programme provided specialised and advanced training on the common security and defence policy. The programme started in September and ended in November. At the end all participants received a certificate signed by Federica Mogherini, which is recognised in all 28 EU Member States and EU institutions.

Main Image
Text

The third and final module was an interactive experience for the 'students', who came from ministries in the Western Balkan region. Four topics were discussed in detail and analysed using the SWOT techniques (strength, weakness, opportunity, threat). After discussion in small groups, the participants presented the results to the whole class. The presentations were used to provide skills training in presentation techniques, negotiation strategies and debate culture.

For the skills training, several environments were simulated. The students participated in a mock press conference, panel discussion and media workshop, for which they had to prepare brief press statements using social media outlets such as Twitter. One of the highlights of this training was the communication workshop, which provided the students with some insights into fake news, manipulation and countermeasures.

The study visit included a guided tour of the Austrian military museum, and visits to the Christmas market at the Schönbrunn Palace and a traditional Viennese vinery ('Heurigen'). During the social events, there was time to exchange business cards and make friends, which is one of the positive side effects of this kind of training.

The 12th cycle of the training programme was conducted in Skopje (orientation course) and Vienna (reflection seminar). It was hosted by Austria, Hungary and Croatia in cooperation with the European Commission's Technical Assistance and Information Exchange instrument (TAIEX) under the auspices of the European Security and Defence College. The training was supported by several European experts:

Dr Anja Opitz, Akademie für Politische Bildung TutzingMs Luiza Pufu, Romanian Ministry of Foreign AffairsDr Ana Juncos, University of BristolCol.(GS) Herbert Sailer, Austrian Armed ForcesDr Arnold Kammel, Austrian Institute for European and Security PolicyMs Pavlina Gorenc, Slovenian Ministry of DefenceDr Jochen Rehrl, European Security and Defence CollegeCol.(GS) Karl Wöhl-Danzinger, Austrian Ministry of Defence

Post category
News stories
Topics
Common Foreign & Security Policy (CFSP)
Regional policies
EU facilitated dialogue: Belgrade - Pristina relations
European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP)
Security, Defence & Crisis Response
European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP)
Editorial sections
Security, Defence & Crisis Response