Fletcher Dean, Admiral (rtd) James Stavridis, visits Greece

The Fletcher Dean during his lecture at KKF.

The Dean of Fletcher School of Tufts University, US Navy Admiral (retired) James Stavridis visited Athens, Greece last week. He had meetings with the Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras, and the Minsters of Foreign Affairs (Nikolaos Kotzias), National Defense (Panos Kammenos) and Public Order and Citizens’ Protection (Nikolaos Toskas). Additionally, he gave a lecture on “International Security in the 21^st Century” at the Konstantinos Karamanlis Foundation on the 13^th of January, 2016.

Between many, the lecture attended politicians, diplomats, academics and other important public personalities from the fields of international affairs, defense and security.

Dean Stavridis focused on the need of a coherent Europe in order to response to migration pressures, financial crises and security threats, while he underlined the importance of the US – EU cooperation and alliance, as mostly expressed through NATO.

Right after the lecture, Professor Dimitris Keridis of Panteion University, Athens coordinated a brief Q&A session, where guests were given an opportunity not only to ask questions, but also to highlight significant national security concerns.

More information about the lecture can be found at the Konstantinos Karamanlis Foundation website, at: http://www.ikk.gr/. 

Europol National Unit

Return to Greece proved not easy. After a 4 year tour in the occupied Palestinian Territories and after being distant from main police tasks and duties, being back in the Hellenic Police HQ behind a desk seemed like a death penalty and the paperwork (piles of docs) the most lethal and appropriate weapon for the job!

The International Police Cooperation Division of the Hellenic Police HQ became my new ‘Palestine’ and my new home as I used spend for of my early days there.

Fortunately, my boss and the hierarchy of the Hellenic Police had a more sophisticated plan for my case. After an induction and re-adjustment phase in the EU, International Affairs and Missions Deartment of the above mentioned Division, which lasted something more than 3 moths, I was appointed Deputy Director of the Europol National Unit in the same Division.

Europol is the European Union’s law enforcement agency whose main goal is to help achieve a safer Europe for the benefit of all EU citizens. Europol has its HQ in the Hague – Netherlands and consists of the Member – States and Third Parties National Units. Additionally it has deployed a significant number of Europol Liaison Officers in various International and Regional Organisations and various Locations in Europol Missions.

Europol Headquarters, The Hague, Netherlands

Europol tuned to be the place where I could intergrate my international experience in international relations, peacebuilding policy, security sector reform, consultancy and training with operational activities at the European level related to fighting terrorism and organized crime through intelligence gathering – sharing, analysis, joint operational activities and missions.

As a deputy Director of the Europol National Unit, I was assigned with both a leading / co-directing and a coordinating role.

Amid the day to day Europol operations, I was taksed to represent the Hellenic Police to the various Europol policy and operational meetings, to provide strategic and administrative support and advice to the Hellenic Police Leadership and additionally to guide and supervise the Greek Europol staff in handling the serious and organised crime cases through the Europol systems (SIENA, EIS).

Within the Serious and Organised Crime Threat Assessment (SOCTA) 2014-2017 framework I was responsible at the ENU level for the analysis and of the various AWF and FP reports and the coordination of all actions required for the successful implementation of the specific Operational Action Plans (OAPs) by applying a multiagency approach and cooperation.

SOCTA 2014-2017 EMPACT Priorities

Europol became a significant part of my professional experience; it was the field where my previous international experience merged with intelligence and operations at the European level. Siggnificant security related incidents such as the terrorist attacks in Belgium, Denmark and France; the rise of Islamic extremism in the network; and the growing migration and refugee flows from conflict affected areas, alongside criminal side effects marked my days in Europol.

Very soon I understood the preventing and fighting crime, at all its forms, requires not only a good understanding of its origings – causes and dynamics, but also alongside seriousness and professionalism, genuine cooperation and effective communication.

in Palestine

    Initially I feel the need to apologise to my fellow readers. It has been long since my last post and for sure some of you have lost track of my ‘adventures’ in the occupied Palestinian Territories. This simply happened because these ‘adventures’ have come to an end.

    Leaving a mission is not an easy thing; especially after four years. Many of you know this better than I do. Leaving USSC and the Palestinian Ministry of Interior was not an exception.

With Their Excellencies clockwise: President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas, Greek-Orthodox Patriarch Theofilos the 3rd, Minister of Interior Dr. Said AbuAli and the USSC VADM Paul Bushong.

    Political impediments, lack of funds and shifts to Greek diplomacy led to an end of the cooperation between Palestinians, USSC and the Greek Government and consequently my secondment as a Technical Advisor.

End of mission brings good and bad things. The way I see things, a new chapter begins; new career perspectives, new posts, new challenges. But all at the same time leave a bitter taste at the end. Goodbyes and farewells with great colleagues and friends, incomplete work and an ‘empty chair’ – where in my case, unfortunately didn’t have a successor.

    I feel sad for many reasons. I left a great Team and a great working environment; a prestigious mission with sound impacts. Also, I left programmes and projects unfinished; deprived from the pleasure to see ‘seeds blossom and flourish giving goods’. But the remedy to my sadness is what I have witnessed. Throughout my four year secondment I was privileged to see the progress and the change in the Palestinian Security Forces. A strong and organisationally matured Ministry and professional and effective Security Services within the framework of democratic governance, rule of law and human rights. Although, always there will be space for improvements. The reference to the numerous changes I have seen is beyond the scope of this post. And this is exactly what consolates my sadness.

    Leaving with all the honours received stigmatised me and sealed a confirmed and recognised commitment and contribution from my side. The photos of this posts may evidence this to you. For me things are not as they seem to be.

All this, aside from sad, is unfair. Below is a part of my leaving speech:

“I came here to serve and support you. I came here to give. But also I took from you and I’m afraid that I took more than what I gave. I’m not leaving Palestine empty-handed. I came as a Police Officer and now leaving as Police Officer. The difference is; that I’m leaving a better person”.

    Through this post and by repeating my last words I want to thank all of you for working with me and supporting me in this mission. I want to thank all the friends and everyone for everything. For this experience, for the unique moments. And to wish you all the best and to continue with the same and even greater intense and commitment. Especially in these days where our values and professionalism is challenged from instability and security risks in all West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem. Soon I believe that I can be proud to say that I did my part in the ‘State of Palestine’.

Home is where your heart beats; I left a part of my heart back in Ramallah; in Palestine. 

PASF Logistics

    The importance of Logistics in the broaden security sector (Police, Military, etc.) has received a broad recognition. The same applies to private companies and enterprises. The concept of logistics can be defined in numerous ways as it completes the triangle between Management / Command and Human Resources. Quite commonly, and in a simplified way, "Logistics is when you pull the trigger and you hear 'BANG'"!

      Going back, few years ago, the field of Logistics for the PASF was a dark area and for sure was not given the proper attention that required. A reason for that was the fact that various donors were providing everything for the sustainability of the PASF and their operations. As things were tightening up and due to budget / funding cuts, donors demanded the maintenance and good (rational) use of their provisions. As responsibilities were given to PASF and ownership was handed over, the need for Logistics and Logistic support became more prominent than any other.

    Reaching this point, the Ministry of Interior, through the Central Training Administration, is proud to announce the first tangible results in this field. Of course previous efforts by other actors should not be neglected, such as the work of the Canadian Proteus Team of USSC. CTA starting from the base that Canadian experts build / established within the PASF, with them, moved forward by standardising the basic Logistics functions and procedures adjusted both to international standards (NATO) and to the local Logistics tasks and functions. The outcome is a comprehensive PASF Basic Logistics Handbook, accompanied by a training curriculum, pending approval by the Ministry of Interior (MoI).

     After approval and printing / production of the above-mentioned Handbook / Manual, next step in the whole project of Logistics will be the design and delivery of a Basic Logistics Officers' Course. The course will be the first attempt in standardinsing the concept of Logistics in PASF and therefore targets individual Officers among the PASF, who hold key positions in Logistics functions. 

    Shared ambition of both USSC and PASF and MoI is building the capacity at the very basic (tactical - operational) level, to use it as the ground for the development of Intermediate and Advanced Logistics Courses and Guideline Manuals. This bottom-up approach with Palestinian participation included will strengthen the current Logistics functions and frame the whole concepts in a strategic framework for not only the PASF and MoI, but also the PNA.

The Central Training Administration (CTA) of the Palestinian Ministry of Interior

       Reaching this point, I would like to introduce you to the Division of the Palestinian Ministry of Interior - Central Training Administration - where I work for as a Technical Advisor. This post includes information about the profile, the status and  the history of the Division. In addition some of the projects completed and success stories are referred and the post ends with the challenges that the Division faces and anticipated problems and risks for the future.

    The CTA's mission is “to develop, standardise, coordinate and oversee training in all Security Services of the PNA by delivering capacity and capability at policy level with international support”

     The CTA activities are coordinated through the Ministry of Interior and it reports directly to the Minister’s Security Assistant, working closely  with the Strategic Planning Department, GMTC and the Training Departments of the PASF.

     CTA employs currently 9 Palestinian Officers (including the Director and Deputy Director) which are supported by 3 USSC International Technical Advisors and 4 Language Assistants.

      Looking back in 2010 when it first established, CTA developed from a project designed in 2009 by the MoI Strategic Planning Department with the assistance of international advisors. CTA's functional role was to develop, standardise, coordinate and oversee PASF training and focus on the continuing development of training strategy and coordination in order to Capacity Build  PASF Training Policy and Planning capability and delivery.

   CTA initial functions were segregated in four main areas: a) Train-the-Trainer (3T); b) Training Need Analysis (TNA); c) Course development (CD) and d) Curriculum development. The author was assigned to support the Palestinian Team responsible for the Curriculum Development which as a main task had to identify and set the basic standards for Palestinian Security Curricula, project that completed in November 2010 and approved by MoI (and accepted by PASF) in the beginning of 2011.

  

Some of the projects and successes of CTA which followed are: 

• Design and ongoing delivery of the PASF ‘Train the Trainers’ Courses (Basic and Advanced );
• Design of a PASF Training Need Analysis (TNA) Course;
• Design and continuing delivery of a PASF Curriculum Design Course;
• Design and delivery of the PASF ‘Common Recruits Course (CRC)’;
• Design of a Civil Defence “Awareness” Course for students / pupils in cooperation with the Civil Defence Service and the Ministry of Education;
• Initial development of Security Guiding Principles for the PASF;
• Development of a curriculum for  Document Security Training (German Project) in cooperation with the German Federal Police and the German Representative Office in Ramallah;
• Development of and training on a PASF Code of Conduct in the Use of Force & Firearms;
• Delivery of a Human Rights Training Course supported by the NGO ‘Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims (TRC)’ successfully delivered to Police Officers (interrogation procedures and rehabilitation centres);
• Curriculum design  and support to the Palestinian Leadership College Intermediate and Junior Leaders’ Courses (design, development & delivery).

    Of course and throughout the four year operation of CTA the initial purpose and mission of the Division shifted due to a number of factors. One of the main factors was the establishment of the Genreal Military Training Commission which 'stole' some of the CTA's responsibilities. Generally, today CTA has been developed in a more 'needs base' ministerial body with expertise in curriculum desing and delivery and extended capacities in training policy and approaches. 

   2014 and the publication of the MoI Security Policy for the years 2014-2016 brought a new era in CTA and consequently new challenges. Some of them are:

• Curriculum Development  Design Courses (ongoing);
• The design and implementation of a range of PASF Logistics Officers Courses (Basic – Intermediate – Advanced) with USSC-Proteus;
• Continuous curriculum review and personnel support to the Palestinian Leadership College framework courses (JLC-ILC-SLC);
• Development and training delivery of a PASF Human Rights Training Manual;
• Development and training delivery of a PASF wide Code of Conduct (Values & Professional Standards);
• Development of an Anti-Corruption Course;

    Concluding, CTA’s future role and location will be influenced by the development of key PASF organisations which it supports including GMTC, CTI (Central Training Institute) and the future requirements resulting from key projects including the Palestinian Leadership College and Palestinian Officer Academy.

My "ONE" Journey

    Following from my last post about the Online Networking and Employability (ONE) programme of Leicester University, I have uploaded a video presentation that I created for the purposes of the course but also for the readers of my blog, so they can be informed about the benefits that the programme offers.

    The video is reflecting to the content of the three units of the programme and how I have experienced the knowledge and set of skills given. The video ends with some thoughts about how to continue in the path the programme showed / opened for me, which of course are also useful recommendations for anyone who would like to follow. 

    Enjoy and please don't hesitate to comment and share your opinion about it!

Online Networking and Employability (ONE) Course - University of Leicester

During my studies in Leicester University (MSc in Conflict, Security and International Development) I was offered to participate in another on-line course; the On-line Networking and Employability’ (ONE) course. I have to admit that I was a bit cautious in the beginning , especially as regards the time management, but it proved to be a great experience with great benefits and still goes on!t

First of all I could never imagine the potentials existent for self promotion and for employability through the network and social media. I used to hear people’s and companies’ brand but I was not aware that I had one. The ONE course helped to identify my personal brand and create a professional image which reflects to my background, knowledge and skills and interests. I realised that a strong statement of yourself really matter in any field and through a short research on-line I found out that the concept of ‘branding’ is everywhere. Following that, I was able to understand clearly my professional goals and orientate my self in the global market of the employability. Of course, I had already a plan in my mind about my future, but through the specific methodology of the course now I structured my ideas and inspirations in a clear way. Next step was to identify on-line tools to project and promote my personal brand and ‘chase’ my goals.

Up to now I was using social media and especially Facebook for socialising and keep contact with relatives and friends. It never crossed my mind that I could use social media to promote myself and have better work opportunities. I learnt the importance of having a strong presence in social media and the functions of Facebook, Google+, Twitter and Linkedin. I was encouraged to create accounts and start advertising my personal brand, as I've been shown how employers use social media to hire and recruit people. But, due to the nature of work and security concerns of the organisation where I work I had limited options. Security issues as regards myself and people around me (i.e. family members) are and will always be a priority and this comes above promoting myself on-line. However, specific privacy settings made things easier and with careful management I can keep a balance between work security restrictions and using freely social media.

Another thing that really amazed me was the creation of my own personal blog. It is another on-line tool that helps people to find jobs and promote themselves in a professional and modern way. Through the course I've learnt that a well structured CV and good communication skills are not enough to find a job or get a better one. By having a blog you can prove the quality of your work and your experience and convince the audience about your assets and qualifications. Step by step I achieved to make my own blog, I learnt how to manage it appropriately and as you can see below I've uploaded my first posts, which gave me pride. I indent to extent my knowledge in these are and maybe I’ll create another personal blog as a diary, which I can share with people close to me. I also want to enrich my professional blog and ‘decorate’ it with even more attractive posts to the extent of a qualitative on-line work portfolio.

ONE course has given me so much knowledge and skills; the most important thing was that I have personal brand too and how to use it and promote my self through social media. Looking back and compare it with today I identify a huge difference on me and my on-line presence. Now, I'm looking forward eagerly for the continuation of the course!