Advanced Modular Training for CSDP Crisis Management (AMT) 2024, Honing skills required along the whole conflict cycle – from Conflict Analysis to Concept of Operations

  The Advanced Modular Training for CSDP Crisis Management (AMT) course has just concluded its 7th edition. This ESDC flagship course dedicated to crisis management planning is aimed at course is to provide civilian and military senior officers with the skills and knowledge needed to perform their duties in the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) area.

AMT builds on the principle that the EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) cannot be understood in isolation; rather, CSDP is part of the bigger picture of the EU’s external action, which collectively has an impressive toolbox equipped by the European External Action Service (EEAS), Commission, and individual Member States or through multilateral efforts.

The Course also this year proved to be a well-established, mature and interactive learning opportunity for a wide but key audience. This includes civilian and military personnel earmarked to work or working in CSDP–related posts at executive level within the EEAS crisis management structures, national representations to the EU, CSDP Civilian and Military Missions and Operations, EU Institutions and Agencies working in the field of external action.

Why a mature learning opportunity? Because the course programme was tailored as much as possible to the participants’ professional needs and interests, with due consideration for their personal pace of learning. All the course topics were structured on the basis of the following sequence: self-paced, learning-expert guidance, group exercises, feedback and discussions and expert feedback. This ensured an iterative review of key aspects of each topic and more chances to interact. The entire course was held in a residential environment, using a blend of preliminary asynchronous self-paced learning and synchronous sessions in plenary and groups.

AMT is composed of two modules: EU Integrated Approach (AMT 1) and CSDP Crisis Management (AMT 2). The latter is offered in two options: CSDP Crisis Management at the Political-Strategic Level (AMT 2a) and CSDP Crisis Management at the Strategic Level (AMT 2b). AMT 1 is common and, depending on interest, participants must opt for either AMT 2a or AMT 2b.

In AMT 1 (EU Integrated Approach – from conflict analysis to Political Framework for Crisis Approach-PFCA), held in Brussels from 08 to 12 April, course participants reflected on collaboration and cooperation among different actors, namely political, military and civilian crisis management, humanitarian and development aid actors in the context of the EU Integrated Approach.

In AMT 2A (CSDP Crisis Management at the Political-Strategic level – from PFCA to Strategic Options), held in presence in Thessaloniki (Greece) between 27 to 31 May, course participants discussed the relevant aspects of interaction among crisis management structures by practicing and discussing the procedures, key stages and planning tools of crisis management at the political-strategic level, as part of the EU Integrated Approach to Conflict and Crisis.

In AMT 2B (CSDP Crisis Management at the Strategic level held in presence in Stockholm (Sweden) between 01 and 05 July, course participants discussed the relevant aspects of a Concept of Operations (CONOPS) and of an Operational Plan (OPLAN), as part of the EU Integrated Approach.

We would like to thank:

• All 47 course participants for their steady and diligent efforts to learn and socialise their learning in the professional community the AMT created;
• Speakers, mentors and facilitators for their excellent, high quality contributions, advice and team work;
• The five training providers: the Hellenic Supreme Joint War College, the Italian Centre for Higher Defence Studies, Maynooth University in Ireland, the Swedish Armed Forces International Centre and the EU Military Staff.

It was encouraging that the content of the presentations and the extremely relevant topics triggered thought-provoking and rewarding discussions between the participants and the experts. We will do our best to continue to provide high quality training through inspiring and challenging learning opportunities.