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 2009/10
The Conflict Pool (formerly the Conflict Prevention Pool (CPP) and Stabilisation Aid Fund (SAF)) embodies a coherent, joined-up approach by MOD, FCO and DFID. Its 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 2009/10, the Conflict Pool ran conflict prevention programmes in a diverse range of areas divided into four regional programmes, covering South Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Wider Europe (including the Balkans and the Caucasus). The Pool also operated a thematic programme in support of international organisations. Through these programmes, 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 Conflict Pool are wide ranging. These examples include some of the non-operational types of activity that MOD performs through them. Key activities include the provision of 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
11 Jan 10 - 30 July 10 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, 48 were filled by foreign students, 29 of which were UK sponsored. Of these, 13 were funded through the Conflict Pool.
15 March 10 - 30 April 10 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. 28 students (all UK sponsored) from 19 different countries attended the course in the UK. All 28 were sponsored by the Conflict Pool.
16 - 28 Nov 09 Managing Defence in the Wider Security Context (MDWSC), Kosovo An export version of MDWSC is also available and a bespoke course was delivered in Kosovo in November 2009. A further 7 courses were delivered in Bangladesh (regional), Ethiopia (regional), Malawi (regional), Nepal (bespoke), Nigeria (regional), Serbia (regional) and Ukraine during the course of the year. 249 international students took part in these export courses, all UK sponsored, 221 of whom were Conflict Pool funded (including those attending the Nigeria course which was part-funded from CP).
03 Aug 09 - 15 Jul 10 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, 81 were foreign students from 43 countries. 31 students were UK sponsored. Of these, 10 were funded by the Conflict Pool.
Apr 09 - Mar 10 Initial Officer Training at Britannia Royal Naval College (BRNC), Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) and RAF Cranwell. Initial officer training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, RAF Cranwell and Britannia Royal Naval College provide initial military training to junior officers from a variety of countries.  This provides a cadre of professionally trained officers educated in the Laws of Armed Conflict and the UK understanding of the utility of military force. 14 international cadets were funded in 2009/10 by the Conflict Pool from countries including Afghanistan, Ghana, Yemen and Sierra Leone.
Apr 09 - Mar 10 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. Towards the end of the financial year it was brought into the Stabilisation Unit as the Security & Justice Group.
Apr 09 - Mar 10 Regional and national level Peace Support Operation (PSO) capacity building, Eastern Africa With significant international financial and technical support, including from the UK, the Eastern African Standby Brigade (EASBRIG) held its first deployed Field Training Exercise in Djibouti in Dec 09. Troops from 10 nations participated in the exercise, known as AMANI CAMARA, marking a significant step on the way to achieving EASBRIG initial operating capability. The first UK-funded Rapid Deployment Capability HQ was handed over to the Kenyan Armed Forces in Aug 09. Development of a parallel institution in Uganda continues, with infrastructure completed and ready for occupation on time in Mar 10.
Apr 09 - Mar 10 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 420 instructors through its multinational courses run at Vyskov and through the deployment of In-Country Training Teams (ICTTs). It also provided pre-deployment training for Czech and Romanian units earmarked for Afghanistan and PSO training for a Kazakhstan brigade.
Apr 09 - Mar 10 British Support Team, Ramallah, Occupied Palestinian Territories Working in partnership with other international donors, including US, Canada and Germany, the team supports Palestinian security capacity building in the West Bank. In particular, the team has pioneered the delivery of senior and intermediate leadership training for Palestinian security personnel at a new facility in Jericho. This aims to build the human capital necessary for a viable and sustainable Palestinian state. During the year, the Senior Leadership Course (SLC) trained 160 graduates (including 11 females) in four tranches. The new Intermediate Leadership Course (ILC) which was launched in February 2010 trained 50 students (including 2 females).
Apr 09 - Mar 10 British Peace Support Team, South Africa This team, which is jointly funded by South Africa, supports the efforts of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) in building peace support capacity in southern Africa. The primary focus is the Peace Mission Training Centre (PTMC) in Pretoria which has trained approx 1000 military and civilian personnel for employment on peace missions across Africa and beyond. The team is evolving in order to deliver more regional courses in a variety of locations across southern Africa.
Apr 09 - Mar 10 Peace Support Operation Training Centre (PSOTC), Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina The Peace Support Operations Training Centre (PSOTC) located in Sarajevo trains junior officers from each of the country's three ethnicities. The aim of the centre is to deliver internationally approved education and training to selected junior officers of AFBiH and invited international students in multinational peace support and humanitarian operations. This activity is developing Bosnia's ability to contribute to multi-national peace support and humanitarian operations, and is also helping to build up security and stability in the country itself.
15 - 19 Feb 10 Regional Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) Course Overseas, Ghana The regional course held in Ghana was attended by 58 students from across the region, not just Ghana. 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 Bahrain (self-funded), Oman (DAF) and Saudi Arabia (FCO sponsored) during the course of the year. Only the Ghana course was Conflict Pool funded.
Source: MOD