Forum for Security Co-operation E-Learning Programme
This project is implemented by the Associate Project Officer of the FSC Support Unit.
Project does not envisage implementation partners, or formalized partnerships. Nevertheless, in order to meet its objective the project works:
- In close co-operation with the focal points at the FSC Support Unit, the Project Manager with the assistance of the Project Clerk are responsible for the development, implementation, assessment, maintenance and revision of the FSC E-Learning Programme modules.
- The OSCE ICT at the Secretariat are responsible for hosting the FSC E-Learning Programme modules on the external OSCE E-Learning Platform.
- The external target audience is the main focus of this project, entailing the delegates of the pS, national point of contacts in the capitals and verification centres. The second phase of the project, especially the development of the in-depth E-learning modules, is therefore fully dependent on their needs and assessment provided on the content and quality of introductory E-learning modules, including the pilot phase.
- The internal target audience consists of the OSCE Executive Structures, especially, the Secretariat and the Field Operations, that will fully benefit from the in-depth modules. Their feedback will be of utmost importance when it comes to improvement of performance of practical E-learning modules.
The objective of the Project is to support the systemization of knowledge transfer to the delegates and national focal points in the capitals of the pS and verification centres about the broad agenda of the FSC. To enhance sustainability, ensure the longevity of the project and pursue academic accreditation with educational institutions, the project implementation team intends to update the current project with an end date of 31/12/24.
Analysing the project from the Theory of Change perspective, it can be stated that a long-term change that the project should accomplish is the provision of a platform for a systematic transfer of knowledge on the OSCE politico-military dimension from the experts, either in-house or external, to the representatives of permanent delegations to the OSCE, national focal points at various seniority levels and verification centres of the pS. The FSC E-Learning Programme and its introductory Course on CAC and CSBMs will also be based on the comprehensive approach to security, and thus touch upon related cross-dimensional OSCE aspects such as border security and management, disaster risk reduction and gender. In the medium-term perspective, the project will enhance the pS’ knowledge and capacity to fulfil their commitments in building confidence, security and transparency, providing more effective military information exchange, incorporating principles in the field of SALW/SCA, addressing aspects of non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and mainstreaming gender into national security policies and strategies. It has the potential to contribute to the improvement of dialogue at all levels among pS on politico-military issues. The immediate change brought by the introductory learning modules will reflect in raised awareness and increased knowledge of the experts from the pS on a broad FSC agenda, including the raised national capacity to address practical aspects of these topics through the application of knowledge acquired through in-depth learning modules.
Project is implementing following activities:
1.1. Development and launch of online introductory modules of Course on CAC and CSBMs topics.
1.2. Organization of face-to-face workshops on CAC and CSBMs topics.
2.1. Development and launch of introductory modules on topics: Introduction to the FSC, SALW/SCA, UNSCR 1540 and UNSCR 1325.
2.2. Development and delivery of in-depth FSC E-Learning modules on all FSC topics.
2.3 Assessment and regular review of developed FSC E-Learning modules.
Project has developed a Risk management plan designed to address a range of identified risks.
Despite its efforts, in recent years the CPC has encountered declining support from pS for multilateral solutions in the field of disarmament and arms control and confidence and security-building measures. Separate from a lack of political will, another probable cause could well be a lack of awareness and knowledge among the pS, resulting, mainly, from generational changes. Additionally, retention of subject-matter experts in the OSCE politico-military dimension has been difficult, thus exacerbating pS lack of capacities to fulfil their commitments on practical aspects of the first dimension, for instance, to be able to exchange military information in various prescribed forms and notifications.
Additionally, the CPC has observed that the OSCE as an international organization with a comprehensive view of security, entailing three dimensions, and geographically dispersed executive structures, faces challenges to provide general awareness and knowledge of its personnel working in these various dimensions, including the politico-military.
The Conflict Prevention Centre (CPC) of OSCE’s Secretariat, most notably the FSC Support Unit, provides advice and practical support to FSC Chairmanships and assists OSCE participating States (pS) in implementing their commitments in the politico-military dimension through capacity-building, awareness-raising and technical assistance. The CPC pro-actively provides this support, also on the basis of requests from pS, individually or as a group, in providing resources for briefings, or instruction for different target audiences. In a drive to deliver this assistance in the most efficient manner, initiatives to take this knowledge transfer towards a digital platform were already ongoing. At the same time, just as any other OSCE structure, the FSC programmatic activities have been significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with most courses, workshops and conferences being postponed or cancelled. Remote working under lockdown conditions has accelerated the process to digitize certain parts of the assistance offered by the CPC.
The OSCE politico-military dimension entails a broad and diverse agenda, entailing topics such as Vienna Document, Conventional Arms Control in Europe (the Treaty on Open Skies, Treaty of Conventional Arms Control in Europe, Dayton Article IV), OSCE Code of Conduct for Politico-Military Aspects of Security, SALW/SCA, UNSCR 1540 on Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, Military Information Exchange, etc. An analysis of existing E-Learning activities within the FSC Support Unit shows that thus far these topics have been covered only partially.
To respond to the necessity of providing a systematic transfer of knowledge on the FSC topics to the pS, PoCs and the OSCE executive structures in the most cost- and time-efficient way, the CPC has decided to develop the FSC E-Learning Programme. Topics of the E-Learning programme shall encompass the whole range of the FSC activities on all aspects of Conventional Arms Control in Europe, Disarmament and CSBMs, as well as SALW and SCA assistance projects, in accordance with the needs and requirements of all the involved stakeholders.
The following topics have been identified as relevant for this type of intervention:
- Course on CAC and CSBMs:
- Vienna Document;
- CAC (Treaty on Open Skies; Treaty of Conventional Arms Control in Europe; Dayton Article IV);
- the OSCE Code of Conduct for Politico-Military Aspects of Security;
- Military Information Exchanges.
- Introduction: the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation;
- SALW/SCA assistance projects;
- UNSCR 1540 on Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction;
- UNSCR 1325 on Women, Peace and Security.
Project’s relevance is based on the following OSCE policy considerations. The objective is to build knowledge of the representatives of the OSCE pS, point of contacts in capitals and the OSCE Executive Structures on the politico-military dimension. This is fully in line with the priorities laid down in the following OSCE documents: Vienna Document 2011 on Confidence- and Security- Building Measures (FSC.DOC/1/11, 30 November 2011), Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspect of Security (DOC.FSC/1/95, 3 December 1994), Principles Governing Non-Proliferation (DOC.FSC/6/96, 3 December 1994), the OSCE Decision No.8/11 Proper Role of the OSCE in Facilitation of United National Security Council Resolution 1540 (MC.DEC/8/11, 9 December 2011), the OSCE Decision No.7/13 Update of the OSCE Principles Governing Non-Proliferation (FSC.DEC/7/13, 4 December 2013), Commemorative Declaration on the Occasion of the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of the OSCE Principles Governing Non-Proliferation and Fifteenth Anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (MC.DOC/2/19, 6 December 2019), the OSCE Document on Small Arms and Light Weapons (FSC.DOC/1/00/Rev.1, 20 June 2012, the OSCE Document on Stockpiles of Conventional Ammunition (FSC.DOC/1/03, 19 November 2003), the OSCE Ministerial Council Decision No.10/17 Small Arms and Light Weapons and Stockpiles of Conventional Ammunition (MC (24) JOUR/2, 8 December 2017), Global Exchange on Military Information (DOC.FSC/5/96, 28 November 1994), the OSCE Ministerial Council Decision No. 14/04 2004 Action Plan for the Promotion of Gender Equality (MC.DEC/14/04 7 December 2004) and the OSCE Ministerial Council Decision No.14/05 Women in Conflict Prevention, Crisis Management and Post-Conflict Rehabilitation (MC.DEC/14/05, 6 December 2005).
