The Mission of the Department of Foreign Affairs is to advance Ireland's political and economic interests in the European Union and in the wider world, to promote Ireland's contribution to international peace, security and development both through the European Union and through active participation in international organisations, in particular the United Nations, to protect our citizens abroad, and to pursue reconciliation and partnership on the island of Ireland.
Course on Security and Justice Governance and Reform
The Irish Ministry of Defence will organise a five-day course on “Security and Justice Governance and Reform”, in County Kildare, Ireland, from March 23-27, 2020. The course will be carried out in partnership with DCAF/ISSAT.
The course aims to provide participants with the knowledge and practical tools on security governance and reform (SSG/R) and justice. It touches upon the holistic nature of SSG/R and covers dimensions related to human security, access to justice and good governance with a focus on both people-centered and state-centered security and justice in fragile/post-conflict contexts.
In addition, participants will engage in a series of exercises aimed at increasing their individual awareness in order to contribute to changes in their attitudes and practices in line with the principles of good governance – most notably the distinction between supporting and engendering a locally owned process in contrast to promoting a practitioner identified solution and trying to obtain local buy-in.
In order to focus on engagement and practical application rather than information/theory transfer, the course will include exercises and introduce tools related to the program cycle that build DCAF-ISSAT’s experience in SSG/R and justice. Indeed, special attention will be paid to the introduction of practical examples through case studies. Interactive co-learning methodologies and simulation exercises that encourage participants to share their own experiences will be used throughout the course.
SSR Training Support for Japanese Peace Building Centre
Ireland requested assistance from ISSAT to run a 1 day training course on SSR at the Senior Specialists Course at the Government Peace Building Centre (PBC) in Hiroshima, Japan.
The course aimed to develop capacity, knowledge and coherence in SSR, and to help participants to better understand the concept and evolution of SSR, including actors, concepts and principles, as well as develop the basic skills required to facilitate a “whole-of- government approach” to SSR. The Course was targeted at mid-career private and public sector individuals whose experience may be applied in the field of peace-building.
Irish Support to Japanese SSR Training
Ireland requested assistance from the DCAF/ISSAT to support a series of outreach and advocacy activities with the Japanese government and non-governmental organisations on SSR capacity building and awareness.
The events included participation at an SSR workshop, a presentation on South Sudan to the National Institute for Defence Studies, and support to a cross-government/non-governmental study group on SSR.
Security Sector Reform Training for Civil Society in Timor Leste
The Norwegian and Irish governments requested ISSAT’s support in the organisation of a Security Sector Reform training for civil society organisations in Timor Leste. In collaboration with a local partner -Fundasaun Mahein - ISSAT conducted a three-day training programme in Dili, Timor Leste in late September. The training brought together civil society representatives from Timor Leste and the broader South-East Asian region.
Overall objectives of the training programme included:
- Increased SSR capacity for civil society organisations;
- Dialogue and discussion among various civil society actors;
- Greater understanding on the purpose, goal, processes and principles of SSR.
The target audience for the training were Timorese civil society organisations and personnel with direct and indirect involvement in security sector development.