ESDC pilot-course "Strategic Communication in the Context of Security and Defence"

Under the auspices of the European Security and Defence College (ESDC), the College for Communication and Public Relations (National University of Political Studies and Public Administration – SNSPA), Romania and Edward M. Kennedy Institute for Conflict Intervention (National University of Ireland Maynooth), Ireland organise the pilot-course on Strategic Communication in the Context of Security and Defence. The training activity will be run in the margins of the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union.

This course aims to address some key interventions under the Global Strategy of Foreign and Security Policy for the European Union. Moreover, the course will shed light on the role played by strategic communication in a rapidly changing landscape, shaped by intensive digitalization, the emergence of innovative technologies, the proliferation of online disinformation, and the ever eroding trust in public institutions. The course will use an integrated approach to the European strategic communication during crisis situations and will have a civ-mil perspective. It will benefit of academic support from National Defence College (Carol I National Defence University, Ministry of National Defence) and National College of Home Affairs (Alexandru Ioan Cuza Police Academy, Ministry of Internal Affairs).

The course consists of eLearning sessions and an interactive residential module held in Bucharest from 25 to 29 March 2019. It addresses senior decision makers and strategic communication practitioners from the Member States, EU institutions and agencies and from CSDP missions and operations involved in the implementation of CSDP (ministries of foreign affairs, defence, internal affairs or justice). Experts with field experiences involved in the leadership of CSDP missions and operations, such as Deputy Head of Missions or StratCom/Political Advisors to the Head of Mission/Commander, would be much welcomed to join the training. Participants in the pilot-course on strategic communication will have the opportunity to network, share views and perspectives with one another and with professionals in security and defence while gaining an insight into CSDP.