SSR and Violent Extremism Training Course development project
The objective of the mandate is to develop and run a face-to-face training course on SSR and VE in French and in English, with the expectation that these would then be run on a yearly basis (one of each), potentially in field locations in order to maximise their accessibility for practitioners.
The anticipated outcomes of the development and delivery of the SSR and VE trainings are:
- 1. Enhanced implementation of VE-related activities within broader SSR contexts;
- 2. Enhanced understanding, competence and effectiveness of staff engaged in wider VE-related and SSR-related programming;
- 3. Personnel more effectively able to engage with local, national, regional and international actors and relevant good practice in supporting SSR and VE-related SSR activities;
- 4. Contribution to a coherent and operationally focused continuous professional development approach for military, police and civilian personnel engaged in SSR and VE-related activity;
In practical terms, increasing the capacity and capability of relevant staff in these fields, will improve the quality and relevance of specialist SSR training, which in turn will lead to more effective technical programming, support and implementation of preventative programmes in region.
SSR & VE course
For 2018 it was foreseen to develop and execute the SSR&VE pilot in the Hague.
The prep phase was done, however due to time constraints within ISSAT the pilot foreseen for 2018 was replaced to 4-8 February 2019.
The costs for this pilot were budgeted at around 30.000 for 2018. During a meeting with Victoria Walker the Dutch MFA requested if we could use that amount in 2019 for the pilot, since it was replaced. Ms. Walker shared with us that this is possible if we write up this new mandate.
Advanced Level 2 Training on SSR in Tunis
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development, together with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, organised an advanced training on SSR from 19-23 September 2016 in Tunis, Tunisia. The course brought together 23 civilian and uniformed participants from the French and Dutch administration working in the region or at Headquarters, as well as representatives from the European Union and the United Nations. Participants from beneficiary countries including Tunisia, Lebanon, Burundi, Ivory Coast and the Palestinian authorities also attended the course. The training was carried out by facilitators from the International Security Sector Advisory Team of the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF/ ISSAT).
The course was inaugurated by H. E. Olivier Poivre d’Arvor, French Ambassador to Tunisia, and H. E. Eric Strating, Dutch Ambassador to Libya. Both speakers underlined the importance and timeliness of such a training in the region. Indeed, this was the first time that France and the Netherlands organised an SSR training in the Middle East and North Africa region. The training was concluded by H. E. Hans Van Vloten Dissevelt Dutch Ambassador to Tunisia, and Mr. Vincent Larrouze, Deputy Director and Head of the Division for Democratic Governance and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development.
During the training, and through a series of case studies, group work and simulations, participants discussed issues such as good governance, the penal chain, gender and SSR, defence reform, and mentoring and advising. The French and Dutch approaches to SSR, as well as the SSR activities of the International Organisation of the Francophonie were also highlighted. Case studies presented during the course included Mali, Burundi and Libya as well as the SSR activities of the European Union in Tunisia. The diversity and experience of the participants led to rich discussions and experience sharing.
End-course evaluations indicated that 95% of the participants found the course useful. 95% also acknowledged that the training contributed to a better understanding of SSR. Participants praised the interactive methodology of the course and appreciated the sharing of experience by facilitators, guest speaker and participants. Suggestions for further improvement include greater numbers of concrete case studies and a longer course duration.
Advanced French Level 2 Training on SSR, Mali
This five-day intensive course will include four key modules including governance, defence reform, police reform and soft skills. A specific module on gender will be delivered. The course will also stress the importance of coordination at both the national and international level. Special focus will be paid to the role of regional and international actors in supporting SSR activities in Africa.