The National Defence University of Ukraine named after Ivan Cherniakhovsky hosted a distance learning online course of the international program "Countering Terrorism"

From 11 to 23 January 2021, an online course "Countering Terrorism" (Counter-Terrorism Reference Curriculum) was held for research and teaching staff at the National Defence University of Ukraine named after Ivan Cherniakhovskyi, with the assistance of NATO Defense Education Enhancement Programme. The course was attended and supported by 12 representatives from 6 countries (Australia,  Belgium, France, Spain, UK, and USA), alumni of the London School of Economics & Political Science, with the support of the Asia-Pacific Foundation.

In the conditions of epidemiological limitations, the course became possible due to the use of modern ADL platform of the Distance Learning Scientific Center of the university and the software "BigBlueButton". The course students studied the history of terrorism, motivations and causes of violent extremism and terrorism, the ways of their radicalization and countermeasures, trans-national extremist ideologies, the role of intelligence in countering terrorism, the types of terrorist organizations and insurgents, the use of cyberspace and modern technologies by terrorist organizations, trans-national financing of terrorism, the link between terrorism and other criminal activities. Attention was also paid to the role and activities of international security organizations in countering terrorist activities, the efforts of governments to combat violent extremism and terrorism, as well as the existing international and regional counter-terrorism strategies.

The course participants had an opportunity to communicate with experts from different countries and exchange views and experiences, participate in practical exercises and discussions, for which they were divided into subgroups. At the end of the course, each subgroup of students worked on, prepared and delivered a presentation in English, in particular: “The role of legal support in countering terrorism”, “Combating the financing of terrorist in Ukraine”, “Developing policiese/strategies to respond to violent extremism and terrorism”, “The development of a national strategy for combating violent extremism and terrorism”, etc.

Closing the training program, Mr. Mariusz Solis, the Director of NATO's Defence Education Enhancement Program (DEEP), said: “The Course “Countering Terrorism” supported by NATO's International Defence Education Enhancement Programme was held for the first time, and became a success due to the joint work of alumni of the London School of Economics and Political Science,and the support of the Asia-Pacific Foundation and the National Defence University of Ukraine named after Ivan Cherniakhovskyi. He also expressed his personal gratitude to the leadership of the National Defence University of Ukraine named afterIvan Cherniakhivskyi, the designers of the course program and the trainers, namely: the project manager            Mr. Sajjan M. Cohel, Doctor of the London School of Economics and Political Science, Director of the Pacific Foundation, and Colonel Oleh Mylchenko, the representative of the National Defence University of Ukraine named after Ivan Cherniakhovskyi.

In particular, Mr. Mariusz Solis stressed the importance of implementing such projects aimed at improving and enhancing the level of professional military education, and the need to continue cooperation with NATO, military educational and training institutions of NATO and Partner nations.

Mr. Sajjan M. Cohel also thanked the Ukrainian side and the Director of NATO's "Defence Education Enhancement Programme" (DEEP) Mr. Mariusz Solis for organizing and conducting the event in the difficult context of the global COVID-19 pandemic. He expressed hope for further cooperation with the National Defense University of Ukraine named after Ivan Cherniakhovskyi. A total of 35 members of scientific and pedagogical staff of the university received training during the course.

The course materials and the knowledge gained during the course will be used to conduct classes at professional military education courses at Levels 4 and 3, which will be delivered in Ukrainian and English, and in for conducting research on counter-terrorism.