Monday, 04 October 2021 / Published in CSDP Orientation Course, News

CSDP Orientation Course, IRTEA, 04-08 October 2021

The European Security and Defence College (ESDC) had the honour of co-organising the CSDP Orientation Course together with the Greek Institute of Research and Training on European Affairs (IRTEA). The course was held online from 4 to 8 October 2021.

The CSDP Orientation Course is a major component of EU training activities in the field of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). It aims to develop and promote a better understanding of CSDP as an integral part of the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) of the EU.

In compliance with COVID-19 norms and restrictions, the five-day course was held in a virtual format. It proved very successful, with active participation and excellent outcomes from 28 civilian and military personnel from various EU and non-EU Member States. A mandatory and autonomous e-learning module on the ILIAS Platform preceded the residential course, ensuring that all participants had a similar knowledge of the main topics covered by it.

During the course, participants were provided with an overview of the civilian and military aspects of the CSDP and were involved in practical aspects based on concrete case studies – in particular, an EU Crisis Management interactive simulation game, in which they were able to interact on and discuss specific topics of relevance.

We would like to thank all the keynote speakers for their excellent contributions and high-quality speeches and lectures.

It is encouraging that even though the presentations were given in a virtual format, their content, and the extremely relevant CSDP-related topics that were addressed, triggered very fruitful discussions between the participants and the experts.

We would like to thank all 28 participants for their trust in the ESDC, and we promise to continue providing training of the highest standard.