4th PSTC Nairobi CIMIC Course
The Peace Support Training Center in Nairobi organized a CIMIC Course from 10th to 21 September 2007. 36 participants from 8 African countries took part in the course that was a great success. Course Director was Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Marete from the Kenyan Navy. Lieutenant Colonel José Pardo de Santayana, Chief CIMIC PLANELM, was invited as facilitator.
The participants to the PSTC Cimic Course (photo courtesy PSTC)
The participants used the ACCORD (African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Dispute) “CIMIC in UN & African Peace Operations” manual as basic reference document. Academic lessons were combined with practical exercises and presentations by the participants. Experts and members of international organizations such as OCHA, ICRC, UNHCR, were invited to give specific presentations.
The intense program lasted several days and ended with the projection of a documentary on recent African conflicts, where interesting and current questions came out to be discussed. A very dynamic and participative attitude characterized all the activities.
The course program was finalized with the CIMIC planning for an imaginary AU mission on the African continent.
Participants and facilitators shared the same accommodation and had the occasion to further discuss CIMIC issues and deepen into the discussions of the course. The two weeks in PSTC Kenya were very demanding, but the good mood that was present all the time and the cohesiveness of both facilitators’ team and participants permitted the course to get extraordinary results.
SHIRBRIG experience in UN doctrine and procedures as well as the special focus of SHIRBRIG on African issues was the base for making a positive contribution to this course. PSTC Commander Kenyan Army Colonel Ahamed Mohammed expressed his wishes to enhance the cooperation between our two organizations.