Chapter 7 - Sustainable Development, Military Aid to the Civil Authorities and Conflict Prevention
     
Table 7.8 MOD support to the UK's Conflict Prevention Initiative: examples (excluding operations)                     of activities undertaken in 2008/09
The Conflict Prevention Pool (CPP) and Stabilisation Aid Fund (SAF) embody a coherent, joined-up approach by MOD, FCO and DFID. Their aim is to improve the effectiveness of the UK contribution to conflict prevention by addressing long-term structural causes of conflict, managing tension and violence and supporting post-conflict reconstruction and stabilisation in a variety of regions and countries where the UK can have most impact. In 2008/09, the CPP and SAF ran conflict prevention programmes in a diverse range of areas divided into eight regional programmes, including those as diverse as South Asia and the Balkans. The CPP also operated two thematic programmes on the control of small arms and light weapons and on international capacity building. Through these funds, MOD also made progress in encouraging partner countries to coordinate efforts to maximise the effectiveness of the assistance provided to unstable and conflict-ridden countries.
 
The types of conflict prevention activity undertaken by MOD through the CPP and SAF are wide ranging. These examples include some of the non-operational types of activity that MOD performs through them. Key activities include our support to international efforts to reduce small arms proliferation and organising weapons collection, management and destruction programmes. MOD also provides security sector reform assistance, training and education programmes, both in the UK and overseas. These provide countries with the knowledge and skills they need to reform their security sectors. Through assisting the process of defence reform in partner states, the MOD helps to improve the effectiveness, efficiency and democratic accountabilities of their defence organisations and Armed Forces, and will enhance their ability to participate in peace support operations.
 
Date Location Type of activity / assistance
12 Jan 09 - 11 Dec 09.
 Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS), United Kingdom RCDS course prepares senior officers and officials of the UK and other countries for high levels of responsibility in their organisations, by developing their analytical powers, knowledge of defence and international security issues, and strategic vision. Of the 79 full-time places, 51 were filled by foreign students, 16 of which were UK sponsored.
08 Sept 08 - 24 Oct 08 & 09 Mar 09 - 24 Apr 09 Defence College of Management and Technology & Cranfield University, United Kingdom The Managing Defence in the Wider Security Context (MDWSC) course provides a knowledge, understanding and analysis of (a) recent UN Peace Support Operations and the supporting role of military forces and (b) key defence management issues, at the strategic and operational level. It is delivered by Cranfield University, in partnership with MOD's Defence College of Management and Technology. 41 students (all UK sponsored) from 34 different countries attended the course in the UK.
17 - 21 Nov 08 Managing Defence in the Wider Security Context (MDWSC), Kosovo An export version of MDWSC is also available and was delivered in Kosovo in November 2008. A further 7 courses were delivered in Ethiopia, Malawi, Serbia, Armenia and Ukraine during the course of the year. 2 courses were held in Nepal - one regional, the other Nepal-only. 289 international students took part in these export courses, of which 259 were UK sponsored.
04 Aug 08 - 16 Jul 09 Joint Service Command and Staff College (JSCSC), United Kingdom The Advanced Command and Staff Course covers the management of Defence in the United Kingdom, and addresses problems, such as terrorism and the asymmetric threats which are encountered across the wider security sector. Out of the 330 places, 100 foreign students from 19 countries attended, 24 of which were UK sponsored.
Apr 08 - Mar 09 Security Sector Development Advisory Team (SSDAT), worldwide SSDAT is a multi-disciplinary (governance, conflict, defence & military, police, justice system, intelligence, development) cross Whitehall (MOD. FCO, DFID) team which liaises directly with host governments on security sector reform. Support or advice was provided in up to 20 countries (at their request) including Nepal, Sri Lanka, Ethiopia, Sudan and Moldova.
Apr 08 - Mar 09 Regional and national level Peace Support Operation (PSO) capacity building, Eastern Africa The Eastern African Standby Brigade (EASBRIG) conducted a successful first exercise in late 2008 with significant UK financial and technical support. The Conflict Prevention Pool also funded the establishment of the Rapid Deployment Capability HQ in Kenya, the first such peacekeeping capability in Africa.
Apr 08 - May 09 Peacekeeping English Project (PEP), worldwide PEP projects work with the military and police services of 18 countries including Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Guatemala, Ethiopia, China, Vietnam and Colombia. Funded by the Conflict Prevention Pool, the training is project managed by the British Council.
Apr 08 - Mar 09 British Military Advisory Training Team (BMATT) Vyskov, Czech Republic BMATT delivers military training courses, training assistance and advice to partner nations to further develop their professional armed forces and their capabilities to participate in multinational Peace Support Operations. BMATT (CZ) trained around 550 instructors at its facilities in Vyskov and through In-Country Training Teams (ICTT). It also provided pre-deployment training for Czech units earmarked for Afghanistan and PSO training for a Kazakhstan battalion.
Apr 08 - Mar 09 British Peace Support Team, South Africa The team supports the efforts of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to build peace support capacity. A new Peace Mission Training Centre (PTMC) has begun training military and civilian personnel working on peace missions across Africa and beyond. It ran 11 courses in 9 PSO-related disciplines for over 550 SANDF personnel.
25 - 29 Aug 2008 Regional Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Course Overseas, Indonesia The South-East Asia Regional course was attended by students from across the region, not just Indonesia. They were trained in maritime security and supporting techniques, thereby improving the ability of other navies to contribute to effective counter-terrorist and counter-narcotics activities. 3 more Regional export courses were delivered in Egypt, Ghana and the Caribbean during the course of the year.
Source: MOD