Public Group on Fragility and Crisis Situations

Aim

The “Training Course on EU External Action: Fragility, Security and Development in a Changing World” is an intensive training seminar for practitioners on European approaches to international security and development questions.

The general objective is to train people from EC Headquarters or EU Delegations, EEAS, EU agencies, but also Member States diplomats, civilians or civil administration and military personnel, on standard concepts of crisis management/fragility/security, peace building and state building, as well as development-related issues in the wider context of CFSP/CSDP.

Through this training, focused on practical aspects and concrete case studies, participants should:

1. Acquire a comprehensive overview on EU key policy concepts, strategies, policies and actors in the field of fragility, development and crisis management.
2. Enhance their understanding of current issues revolving around fragility, security and development in the EU, as well as on the international agenda, in the light of the security-development nexus.
3. Develop an accurate understanding of the institutional set-up of the EU and the relevant operating procedures.
4. Become familiar with the complementary roles played by different policy instruments and different actors and learning more about the EU’s comprehensive approach to external conflict and crisis.
5. Develop a network of professional contacts spanning the entire community of external policy practitioners.

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General description and Organisation

Starting situation - Participants should be personnel from EC Headquarters (DG DEVCO, DG ECHO, FPI) or EU Delegations, EEAS, EU agencies, but also Member States diplomats, civilians or civil administration and military personnel, that work in areas related to crisis management/fragility/security, peace building and state building, as well as development, in the wider context of CFSP/CSDP.

Cognitive Objectives - At the end of the course the participant will be able to:

• Analyse and formulate independent and well-informed opinions, which is the strongest basis for sound policy making and planning.
• Formulate responses to crisis situations and planning complex interventions in high risk environments by defining the right mix of policies, instruments and tools to achieve EU’s strategic objectives.
• Understand the concept of security and fragility and their synergies with durable development (security-development nexus);
• Pursue more effectively fragility, security and development through cooperative problem-solving and teamwork.

Affective objectives - At the end of the course the participant:

• Shares the key principles guiding EU approach to security, fragility and development and be able to integrate them in his/her respective area of competence.
• Recognizes the relevance of cooperation and networking with the various actors in the field.

Duration - The course will last three residential days, preceded by a mandatory Internet-Base Distance Learning (IDL) module.

Methodology - The methodology of the course aims at communicating the content taught in the modules in such a way that participants can later adapt and apply it in their daily work or in a new setting. Therefore, the methodology of the training is based on adult learning principles which allow the transfer of knowledge not only cognitively, but also experientially.

For creating common basic knowledge among participants and to already achieve some of the learning objectives, Internet-Base Distance Learning (IDL) modules and reading material (sent to the participants prior to the course) are used in a preparatory phase before the residential part of the course.

Throughout the whole course a participatory co-learning methodology will be used. Course participants coming from different fields of activity will be encouraged to contribute with their specific experience to the content of the course, to the discussions and working groups. They should also actively share their experiences or their respective professional and practical insights with other course participants. Exercises will also be conducted in support of the course objectives.

The course uses blended learning and, during the residential module, highly interactive learning methods will be combined (role play scenarios, quiz, debates with extensive feedback etc.). External resource persons with particular knowhow are also used as facilitators in small group discussions to ensure that all participants have a true chance to be active during every discussion.

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Overall structure

Internet-based Distance Learning (IDL)

The course will be preceded by the following Autonomous Knowledge Units (AKU):

• AKU 2 on European Security Strategy;
• AKU 3 on Role of EU institutions in the field of CFSP/CSDP;
• AKU 6: EU Mission Planning Procedures; and
• AKU 7 on the impact of the Lisbon Treaty.

An AKU on Fragility, Security and Development is under development and will be part of the mandatory preparation study when ready.

Other AKU's can be used on voluntary basis

Module Program -

The Course Programme can be adapted according to recent needs and to national education systems.

Materials -

Materials used represent current developments in the field of crisis management, fragility and development in general and in EU policies in particular:

• CSDP Handbook;
• New Deal for engagement in fragile and conflict situations;
• Communications, guidance notes, guidelines, etc.