APCML CIVIL-MILITARY COOPERATION COURSE HMAS PENGUIN
31 MARCH - 4 APRIL 2008
The APCML conducted its sixth annual Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) course at HMAS Penguin, Sydney, during the period 31 March- 4 April 2008.
Students on the 2008 CIMIC course represented the following countries: Australia; Indonesia; Jordan, Malaysia; Papua New Guinea; the Republic of Korea; Thailand and Vietnam. Many of the participants were officers from the Australian Defence Force and regional armed forces but a number were representatives from the government and non-government aid and humanitarian community. There was similar diversity among the overseas and Australian based presenters who represented academia and organisations including: the CIMIC Centre of Excellence (NATO accredited); the UN World Food Program; the Australian Council for International Development; the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; the International Committee of the Red Cross; AUSAID; Oxfam International; the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; and the Australian Federal Police.
Topics covered on the course included: CIMIC Actors; UN Operations – An Overview; NGO Dynamics; the Legal Framework for CIMIC; Cultural Factors; an Iraq Case Study; Strategic and Political Implications of CIMIC; Humanitarian Coordination Mechanisms; Humanitarian Guidelines and Codes; NATO CIMIC; ADF CIMIC; Information Operations; the ICRC; UNHCR; Rule of Law; CIVPOL; an Afghanistan Case Study; and, a summary presentation on the Civil Dimension. The culmination of the course was a one and a half day exercise which was conducted at HMAS Waterhen.
As with past CIMIC courses, the success of the 2008 course depended to a large degree on the time and expertise lent to the course by the highly qualified and dedicated presenters. This contribution was enhanced by the exceptionally professional service provided by the staff at HMAS Penguin and HMAS Waterhen. The APCML would like to thank everyone involved for their valued support and contributions to the CIMIC course.
