1 EU Training for Civilian CSDP – Which Coherence?

This brief aims to assess the coherence of the training initiatives taken at the EU level in the field of the civilian dimension of the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). The analysis focuses on the training for personnel involved in Civilian Crisis Management (CCM), at both strategic and operational levels. Training for CCM constitutes a significant dimension of the strengthening of EU capabilities in the field of CSDP. It contributes to the development of a European security culture (Council of the European Union, 2004: 3) by promoting a common understanding of the civilian CSDP among personnel from the EU institutions and the Member States. Training also improves the quality of CSDP mission personnel, which in turn directly influences the effectiveness with which they fulfil their tasks (Khol, 2008: 6). Considering the existence of different training initiatives in the field of civilian CSDP at the EU level, it seems relevant to try to assess their coherence. Since it determines the strength of the link between training needs and training activities, the analysis of the training needs assessment phase will constitute the first dimension of the assessment of the coherence EGMONT Royal Institute for International Relations of these initiatives. The range of actions and their impact on the coherence of the overall training framework in civilian CSDP will constitute the second dimension. In order to contextualize this analysis, it should be stated that, firstly, training is only one particular aspect of a broader recruitment issue. It should be put into perspective therefore with other aspects of this problem such as the development of rosters of personnel. Secondly, when focusing on EU initiatives, it should be kept in mind that this analysis will cover only a small aspect of the training activities conducted in civilian CSDP given the fact that Member States provide a significant majority of these training activities