Finnish Defence Forces International Centre

Our reference FINCENT, MAJ Fredrik Wallenberg

Phone: +46-(0)70-815 7233

e-mail: [email protected]

March 31, 2025

INVITATION TO APPLY

Approaches to Protection of Civilians in NATO and UN Operations (NATO UN POC) Course

18- 29 August 2025 at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom

at Shrivenham Station

The Approaches to Protection of civilian in NATO and UN Operations course will be organised by the Finnish Defence Forces International Centre and hosted by Defence Academy of the United Kingdom at Shrivenham Station. Course will be conducted 18 – 29 August 2025. The Course includes 3 - 4 full working days of self-study preparations to be completed by 7 August 2025.

1. Purpose and aim The NATO-UN POC course offers insights in how threats against civilians and the use of force better can be understood and acted upon in modern world wars. The curriculum provides research-based tools for analysis and planning at all levels of command, also for non-military protection actors. The learners will experience how analysis, tailoring, collaboration, mind-set, and empathy have become capabilities of increasing criticality in modern conflict resolve, for military planners, commanders as well as non-military protection actors. The course focuses on how to protect civilians from threats of physical violence, and is designed for military planners in NATO, NATO-partners or UN T/PCC Nations and organizations working with NATO or UN in these operational environments.

2. Course goals Upon course completion, the learners should be able to:

Demonstrate deepened knowledge of the military role in protecting civilians, civilian objects and services o Recognize the relevance of POC in contemporary and future conflicts o Demonstrate an understanding of the different approaches to POC

between UN and NATO

Analyse the operational environment o Demonstrate knowledge of how the operational environment impacts the

military role in protection of civilians o Discuss and describe the roles and responsibilities of the total range of

protection actors, military and non-military.

Analyse threats of physical violence towards civilians in armed conflicts o Demonstrate understanding of the variations in threats to civilians o Demonstrate understanding of how threats to civilians can be analysed

Apply Protection Concepts in ensuring the mission success o Conduct a military planning process aiming for physical protection of

civilians o Assess Protection Summative Assessment/exercise o Analyse threats to civilians in armed conflict o Determine relevant military response options o Personal assessment of the learning outcomes

In a final exercise the learners apply insights from the course main aims. Aided by cross-cutting EdTech learning tools in XR, learners will analyse threats to civilians in ways they have never experienced before. This final activity will also include collaboration on development of relevant responses tailored to specific threats, and finally, case studies where the learners may have opportunities to select topics of professional relevance or interest. This course fills the NATO requirement for strategic and operational level at the Proficiency level 300 - Advance after on-the-job experience.

3. Pedagogical design The course is designed around the principles of flipped classroom and consists of interactive lessons with active learning methods, case studies, individual and small group assignments.

4. Pre-study A compulsory pre-study is required to attend the course. Learners must be prepared to assign up to 3 full working days to complete the pre-study.Accepted learners will receive information on details. The self-study assignments must be completedby August 7, 2025.

5. Course venue The course is organised by the Finnish Defence Forces International Centre. NOTE: This course will be held at and hosted by Defence Academy of the United Kingdom at Shrivenham Station.

6. Participation To be eligible to attend the course, applicants must fulfil the following criteria:

o Military Officers (OF-3 through OF-5) working at the strategic or operational level in NATO, NATO-Partners or UN T/PCC.

o Personnel working in analysis, planning, operational, management or leadership roles and who are required to or are positioned to act on Protection of Civilians in their respective organisations.

o Personnel in NATO Command and NATO Force Structure. o NATO Partner nations’ staff. o UN Staff (All Levels), UN TCC Staff. o Basic computer skills including the use of Microsoft Office. o English skills equivalent to a professional user level (NATO STANAG

6001 level 3-2-3-2/Common European Framework of Reference for Language level B2-C1/Upper Intermediate–Advanced level).

Due to the interactive nature of the course, a wide breadth of backgrounds and expertise is desirable. Therefore, representation is encouraged from all the military staff codes/functions; civilian organisations and subject matter experts on various topics linking into protection of civilians.

6.1. Security Clearance The course is UNCLASSIFIED. Selected students will need to complete a baseline personnel security standard form to enter the Shrivenham station.

6.2. Passport and Visa Requirement A valid passport is needed to enter the United Kingdom and the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom. Participants, or their national authorities, are responsible for visa arrangements (if needed). Participants are advised to contact, well in advance, proper diplomatic agencies for up-to-date information. It is the individual’s responsibility to apply for and obtain their visa and to have the proper travel documentation.

7. Application Student applications have to be submitted using the LYYTI Management system. The application form can be found online at: https://www.lyyti.in/NATOUNPOC2UK The last day for applications is May 16, 2025.

For all applicants, it is compulsory to attach the following files in PDF, JPEG or TIF format:

• a scanned colour copy of the applicant's passport. The passport pages have to contain the picture, full name, nationality, date of birth, passport number and passport expiry date. When filling out the application form, write your name exactly as it is written in your passport.

• a scanned colour copy of the applicant's military ID (if military)

For non-EU applicants, it is compulsory to also provide an official request letter using the organization’s formal style document. The letter should include the reason for the application, an explanation of the expected benefit for the applicant and the sending organization, and whether a subsidy is requested. If a subsidy is requested, the letter has to explain in detail what is required. Subsidized student places are available for nations only upon a special request by the nominating nation. Whether a subsidy is granted or not is decided on a case-by-case basis by FINCENT. The decision will be announced to the selected students in the course confirmation letter. Please note: every seat on the course has to be applied separately using the online application system. FINCENT request to have priority list of candidates from nations or organizations requesting multiple seats for the course.

All documents have to be written in English. Please do not attach any letters

or other documents in any other language as they will be disregarded.

FINCENT will inform applicants by 23 May 2025 whether or not they have been

admitted to the course. If admitted to the course, the student will receive a

Course Confirmation Letter including pre-course information package indicating

further details of the course. The selection process will be carried out according

to the course needs (a balance between military and civilian in NATO, UN and

humanitarian personnel, as well as a balance between strategic and operational

level personnel).

8. Administration

a. Payment of the course

The teaching on this course is free of charge. FINCENT offers the course social events such as Icebreaker and Course Dinner.

b. Other costs related to the course Student are responsible of their travels to Shrivenham. Accommodation is arranged inside the Shrivenham base from Sunday 17 August to Friday 29 August 2025 including the weekend. The estimated cost for other than British Military for 12 nights is £278. The cost for accommodation is as follows: a. British Military - Service Charge, no more than £0.65p per night

depending on rank. b. International Military - Service Charge, no more than £0.65p and

accommodation no more than £22.42 per night depending on rank. c. UK MOD Civil Servant - Service Charge - no more than £0.65p and

accommodation no more than £6.45 per night depending on rank. d. Civilian - Service Charge - £0.65p and accommodation no more than

£22.42 per night depending on rank. Other expenses to be paid by the students are daily meals. Average price for

three meals is estimated to £13 daily.

c. Pre-course self-studies

The obligatory pre-course material and assignments will be available online for the selected students from 9 June 2025. The pre-course online study is to be completed by 7 August 2025. The estimate workload is 3-4 full working days.

9. Contact Questions regarding the course content, methods and learning outcomes can also be asked by contacting the OPR Virpi Levomaa ([email protected]). Other questions concerning the course administration and practicalities, please contact FINCENT Student admin: [email protected] Course webpage with a video can be found here: https://puolustusvoimat.fi/en/web/fincent/nato-un-poc1 More about FINCENT ca be read at www.fincent.fi WELCOME to the course organized by Finnish Defence Forces International Centre and hosted by the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom!

Esapekka Vehkaoja Colonel

Commandant FINCENT