Security Sector Reform

The reform of the security sector has become one of the major topics of international concern regarding crisis management and post-crisis recovery during the last decade. The focus on traditional security actors such as the police, the military, the judiciary, prison personnel, border guards, and intelligence has been complemented by a more comprehensive view on human security, bringing the basic needs and physical, social and economic security and safety of individuals and the population to the centre of attention.

The core security actors, together with all security management and oversight bodies, the justice and law enforcement institutions as well as non-statutory security forces need to act on the principles of human rights, local ownership, accountability and sustainability in co-operation and co-ordination with other national and international state and non-state actors for creating/developing a stable environment.

In order to meet these requirements, international organizations such as the UN and the EU have started to develop appropriate capabilities. The EU decided to create a pool of European SSR experts to be used in the context of SSR activities carried out by the EU, within the framework of CSDP or Community external action.

Course Description

With this course SSR activities of various actors, in particular the EU, will be supported. Experts should be prepared to deal with civilian, legal, police-related, or military challenges in the framework of a holistic SSR approach. The course will deal with major aspects of the assessment, analysis, design, development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of SSR. Participants will not only learn to collaborate with other actors from the various segments of the security sector but will also learn lessons regarding the better functioning in their own field of expertise.

Methodology

The methodology of the course aims at communicating the content taught in the modules in such a way that participants can later adapt and apply it in their daily work or in a new setting. Therefore, the methodology of the training is based on adult learning principles which allow the transfer of knowledge not only cognitively but also experientially.

Course participants coming from different fields will be encouraged to contribute with their specific experience to the content of the course, to the discussions and working groups. They should also actively share their experiences and their respective professional and practical insights with other course participants throughout the course.

Reading materials will be sent to the participants prior to the course in order to support the creation of a common basic knowledge among participants Moreover participants are asked to complete the online module on IDL, the ESDC long-distance learning system, prior to the course. The successful completion of the online module is a prerequisite to obtaining a certificate for the course.

Target Group

The course is available to experts from headquarters and working in field missions who have a background and skills in at least one of the sectors relevant to SSR and who need to work jointly with experts from other sectors on SSR in the field. Approximately 25 participants nominated by relevant institutions of EU Member States, EU candidate countries, OSCE participating states and other selected countries will be admitted per course. The duration of the course is 7 days.

Next ESDC Core Course on SSR: 1 – 8 October 2012

Application Deadline: 29 June 2012

The results of the first ASPR Pilot-Course on SSR in 2009 are available as „Report on the Pilot Course on Security Sector Reform, 6 – 14 June 2009. 1/2009