An online course in the framework of "Countering Terrorism" international programme is in progress at the National Defence University of Ukraine named after Ivan Cherniakhovskyi

A "Counter-Terrorism" on-line course for research and teaching staff has started at the National Defence University of Ukraine named after Ivan Cherniakhovskyi under the auspices of NATO's Defence Education Enhancement Program (DEEP). It started on January 11 and will last till January 23, 2021. Designed in accordance with the “Counter-Terrorism Reference Curriculum (CTRC)”, the course is being delivered by 12 scholars and subject matter experts representing 6 foreign countries:
Australia, Belgium, France, Spain, the UK, the USA, in association with the Asia-Pacific Foundation and the London School of Economics & Political Science alumni.

The Counter-Terrorism Reference Curriculum (CTRC) supports the concerned Allies and partner countries through enhancing their capacity to develop national skills and improve counter-terrorism strategies. The Curriculum will also serve as a reference document designed to address the needs of partner nations’ defence educational institutions, as well as provide helpful guidelines for relevant existing NATO courses. Elaborated on historical examples, the CTRC provides an overview of terrorist ideologies, motivations and methods, as well as contemporary counter-terrorism practices and potential future projections.

The NATO Counter-Terrorism Reference Curriculum is the result of close cooperation between the Defence Education Enhancement Programme (DEEP) and NATO`s Counter-Terrorism Section, as well as the Partnership for Peace Consortium, involving over 100 experts from nations across five continents, including Tunisia, Jordan and Mauritania, as well as multiple international subject matter experts and researchers. Launching the Curriculum, Dr. Antonio Missiroli, NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Emerging Security Challenges stated: “Security challenges like terrorism are not diminishing because of the global pandemic. Terrorism undermines our safety and the very values that underpin and inspire our societies. The Alliance is committed to address this threat with all available means. Supporting improved awareness, strengthening resilience and building counter-terrorism capacity of both Allies and partners are all part of this effort, and the CTRC perfectly fits these objectives. I would like to thank all those who helped make this Curriculum possible, including the United Nations, the European Union and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), organizations contributed to the writing, drafting, and editing of the final product”.

DEEP will help partners who request support in implementing tailored versions of the curriculum for their professional military education institutions. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, and reflecting other longer-term trends, NATO will also implement the Counter-Terrorism Reference Curriculum as a distance course, available to all partners who wish to use it in their institutions. Supporting our partners in this way makes us all stronger in the face of a common threat.

Dr. Sajjan M. Gohel, the CTRC’s co-editor and academic project lead from the Asia-Pacific Foundation and the London School of Economics (LSE) added: “The CTRC is designed to provide users with a robust, holistic and nuanced comprehension of terrorism as well as improve potential counter-terrorism outcomes for NATO members and partners. The curriculum reflects NATO's innovative best.”

The course is organized in a way that 18 course students – those research and teaching staff members who have STANAG level 2 English language proficiency – are studying remotely and enjoy the opportunity to communicate directly and ask teachers questions online. The remaining 18 course students are doing the course being assisted by simultaneous translation. The instruction materials and the new knowledge they all will acquire during the course will contribute significantly to their further professional development, as well as help them address studying and teaching issues with regard to the employment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in combatting terrorism.