Kyiv National Economic University named after Vadym Hetman

Summer Academy on OSCE14 Mart 2016р.

Deadline: April 17, 2016

Country: Austria

Grant type: Summer school

Website: http://www.aspr.peacecastle.eu/training-programmes/summer-academy-on-osce/

This event has been conducted since 1997, and is designed for diplomats intending to assume tasks concerning the OSCE.

The purpose of the "Summer Academy on OSCE" is to expand and deepen knowledge about the OSCE and to contribute to its various activities. The courses and special events are designed to provide diplomats who are going to work with OSCE delegations and institutions, as well as scholars, NGO representatives, etc. intending to co-operate with the OSCE in the areas of international diplomatic and civilian missions with the following:

  • thorough knowledge of the history, functioning, and current activities of the OSCE; and
  • training in working more effectively within the OSCE diplomatic and OSCE-NGO milieu.

Furthermore, the Summer Academy provides opportunities to explore ways for the OSCE to enhance its existing, or to develop new capabilities in preventive diplomacy, peace-making, peace-keeping and peace-building.

Although being officially independent of the OSCE, OSCE institutions and diplomatic missions actively participate on a voluntary basis in the Academy's activities by providing speakers, participating in workshops as well as seconding the participants with an interest in working with the OSCE. Students are instructed by leading scholars in OSCE studies, senior diplomats with experience in OSCE inter-state diplomacy, international NGO trainers with long-term experience in the field, and international lawyers active in promoting OSCE-NGO co-operation, particularly in the areas of human rights and democratisation.

The student body shall include diplomats, graduate students, and practitioners professionally active in NGOs who want to work more effectively with OSCE institutions. Participants are expected to come from the OSCE Participating States or OSCE Partners for Cooperation.

The majority of the programme of the Summer Academy takes place at the Peace Castle Schlaining. However, besides social events, an excursion to the Permanent Council (PC) in the Hofburg Vienna is also included.

The methodology of the Summer Academy is based on a mix of lectures, working groups, workshops and readings. Basic information about OSCE organisations and organisational structures will be made available in advance in order to help participants prepare for the lectures.

Scheduled Course

SummerAcademyon OSCE: 9 – 18 June 2016
Application Deadline: 17 April 2016
 

Lecturers will use primarily the case study approach and will especially focus on recent developments and activities of the OSCE and related governmental and non-governmental organisations. Working groups will give participants the opportunity to consolidate subjects dealt with in the lectures. Workshops will be held in order to enhance communication skills and intercultural understanding and to learn how to deal with one’s own role within a team.

Participants will practice mediation and negotiation skills and gain experimental knowledge of different concepts through interactive exercises, such as role-plays and simulation exercises.

Evaluations are scheduled for the end of each week in order to facilitate integrating lectures, working-groups, workshops and readings into a coherent basis for discussing what has been learned. The programme will also include excursions (e.g. the PC in the Hofburg/Vienna).

The Programme includes the following Modules / Sessions:

Post Cold War Realities in Europe

  • Historical and political development of the OSCE
  • Basic principles of security and co-operation

The OSCE’s Organisation

  • Basic features
  • Institutional structures and budget

OSCE in Action

  • Visit of the Permanent Council (PC) at the Hofburg/Vienna
  • Assessment of the OSCE from an EU and national Point of View

The Security Dimension of the OSCE

  • Political-military issues
  • Combating terrorism issues
  • Policing issues
  • Relations with other security organisations

Long-term Missions

  •  Introduction, concept and general issues of LTM
  •  Long-term missions: lessons learned

The Human Dimension of the OSCE

  • Standard setting & monitoring
  • Minority issues within the OSCE
  • The work of the High Commissioner on National Minorities
  • Election Observation / ODIHR
  • Freedom of the Media

Economic and Ecological Dimension of the OSCE

Regional aspects of OSCE functioning

The future role of the OSCE within the European security and co-operation architecture

Workshops:

  • Workshop 1: Interaction in Multinational Teams
  • Workshop 2: Various OSCE Issues
  • Workshop 3: Mediation, Negotiation and Diplomacy
  • Workshop 4: Regional Aspects of the OSCE Work
  • Workshop 5: Simulation Exercise of an OSCE Event
  • Participants are expected to come from the OSCE Participating States or OSCE Partners for Cooperation.

Applicants for admission will be selected on a competitive basis by an admissions committee. Preference is given to applicants whose participation is supported by their Foreign Ministry or one of the OSCE institutions.

The courses and special events are designed for young diplomats who are going to work with OSCE delegations and institutions, as well as scholars, NGO representatives, etc. intending to co-operate with the OSCE in the areas of international diplomatic and civilian missions. Participants are expected to have a Master's degree or the equivalent in working experience.

The working language is English. Applicants must therefore have a good command of the English language in order to be able to actively contribute to, and fully benefit from the training course. Applicants should be in a good state of physical and mental health.

Since the programme is built upon a modular system, participants who arrive late or would like to depart early cannot be accepted. The intensive format of the programme does not allow for any additional commitments during the course.

Costs

The cost of participation amounts to € 1.770,-- per student. The amount covers tuition, educational materials and full board accommodation in a single room with bath as well as all expenses linked to the Academy (course material, reader, social events and excursions). For participants coming from non OECD member states, a limited number of scholarships will be awarded.
Applicants who would like to apply for such a support have to indicate this in the respective section of the application form and give reasons for that in their application essay. However, there is no possibility to get financial support for travel expenses from the organisers!

Applicants should submit the application form and the required accompanying materials before the indicated deadline

  • How to applyApplicants for admission must meet the following requirements:
  • Master's degree or the equivalent in working experience;
  • working knowledge of English;
  • submission of the attached application form and the required accompanying materials as soon as possible, but no later than the application deadline

Applicants for admission will be selected on a competitive basis by an admissions committee. Preference is given to applicants whose participation is supported by their Foreign Ministry or one of the OSCE institutions. Applicants will be informed of the decision of the admissions committee after the application deadline.

Applications should be sent by e-mail to:

Ms. Claudia Hofer
E-mail: hofer@aspr.ac.at