The aim of the Association is to contribute to more effective peace operations, through promoting a better understanding of peacekeeping and its goals, and to facilitate communication, exchange of information and best practices between peace operations and other related education and training centres, and/or among people responsible for, and involved in, training for peacekeeping operations.
This year’s annual conference was organised by the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC), in collaboration with the Kenyan Ministry of Defence. The theme of the conference, ‘Leveraging Partnerships in Training for Complex Peace Operation Environments’, sought to evaluate strategic collaboration between different entities, international organisations, governments and local stakeholders, in order, among other things, to improve the effectiveness of the response to complex emergencies.
The 27th IAPTC conference offered stakeholders involved in training for peacekeeping operations a forum to broaden contacts and discussions, to share ideas and experiences, good practices and lessons learnt, with a view to harmonising training programmes in line with evolving contemporary trends and threats. Over 300 delegates from 68 countries attended the conference, representing research, education, and training actors connected to peace operations.
The 27th IAPTC conference, entitled ‘Partnership in a Complex Peace Operations Environment’, was officially inaugurated on 6 November 2023 by Dr William Samoei Ruto, the President of the Republic of Kenya and Commander-in-Chief of the Kenyan Defence Forces.
During his speech, President Ruto highlighted the crucial role of peace operations in achieving global peace. He emphasised that underdevelopment leads to vulnerabilities in social, political, and economic institutions, making communities, nations, and regions susceptible to instability and conflict. Kenya has actively supported 46 peacekeeping and stabilisation missions worldwide, showing solidarity with global efforts to restore peace and security.
The European Security and Defence College had a prominent role at the conference. It was part of the opening panel on ‘Future peace operations’ together with representatives from the United Nations and the African Union. The ESDC focused on the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) training landscape and the unique role of the college in supporting training initiatives connected to CSDP missions and operations.
Moreover, as the current chair of the regional European Association of Peace Operations Training Centres (EAPTC), the European Security and Defence College reported on the outcomes of the annual conference it organised in Brussels in June 2023. This was done together with the regional associations of Peace Operations Training Centres from Africa, Asia and South America.
The programme of the 27th IAPTC conference consisted of working group sessions and panel discussions involving speakers with expertise in peace operations and crisis management, dealing with peace operations research, education, and training. Working group sessions covered emerging areas and recent policy developments, such as Future Peace Operations and the New Agenda for Peace, Leadership and Discipline in Peace Operations, the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, Situational Awareness and Peacekeeping Intelligence, Strategic Communication, Climate Security and Environmental Mainstreaming, Performance and Accountability and the UN ITS Special Training Topics.
During the week, the European Security and Defence College was also delighted to have a stand in the idea bazaar, where it welcomed interested conference delegates to discuss further and to explain the role, mandate and core business of the ESDC – the training architecture of the EU.
https://www.iaptc.org/
https://www.27iaptc-kenya.org/
https://youtu.be/cWtRtHq1Wh8?feature=shared
https://youtu.be/TmASEnhBPYc?feature=shared
https://youtu.be/HL-cM0bww0Y?feature=shared
https://esdc.europa.eu/2023/06/13/annual-conference-of-the-european-association-of-peace-operations-training-centres-eaptc-7-9-june-2023/
