Photo By Cmdr. Dawn Stankus | BRUSSELS (July 12, 2018) – A participant attending the Inclusive Security breakout...... read more read more
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) Public Diplomacy Division and its partners hosted “NATO Engages: The Brussels Summit Dialogue” alongside the NATO Summit 2018 in Brussels from July 11 to 12.
Through keynote speakers and breakout sessions, “NATO Engages” provided a platform to share a diverse range of topics to opinion formers, policymakers, digital influencers and younger audiences that complemented the main Summit agenda.
The Inclusive Security breakout session, held on the second day, was a cross-cutting event comprised of NATO’s Allied Command Transformation, Allied Command Operations and NATO Headquarters. This event brought together the inclusive security collective to include Children and Armed Conflict: Cultural Property and Protection; Protection of Civilians; Women, Peace and Security; and Conflict-Related Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
During the event, NATO’s Allied Command Transformation unveiled a new immersive technology designed to better train Allies working together throughout the globe. Following the formal presentation, a demonstration of Allied Command Transformation’s technology and hands-on opportunities for attendees were provided to give unique insight of the training’s value.
The immersive technology was developed in support of the recently approved “Concept for the Protection of Civilians,” which defines a framework that seeks to identify and understand threats to civilian populations where NATO members may operate. This concept was approved by each NATO nation in 2018, following the July 2016 Warsaw Summit endorsement for a NATO policy focusing on the protection of civilians.
Clare Hutchinson, Inclusive Security event host and special representative to NATO Secretary General for Women, Peace and Security, emphasized that teamwork across all levels of NATO contributed to making PoC and the virtual training environment prototype a reality.
“People are at the center of why we do our work and we are putting people first through inclusive security,” said Hutchinson. “The NATO ‘Concept for Protection of Civilians’ is a collaborative and collective effort between NATO’s Allied Command Transformation and Allied Command Operations. We did this together, we are family, we are one NATO.”
Maj. Gen. William Hickman, deputy chief of staff for Strategic Plans and Policy at Headquarters Supreme Allied Command Transformation, shared that the command and members of his division have the lead for NATO education and training. He also stressed that Allied Command Transformation staff members continue to encourage NATO’s evolution through the introduction of new technologies, like the virtual reality demonstration showcased during this year’s NATO Summit.
“Today was all about educating NATO Headquarters, but also nations and others about the ‘protection of civilians’ concept and other work Allied Command Transformation is doing across NATO,” said Hickman. “Part of that education is through the [virtual reality] technology and how it can immerse a solider, a leader or NATO member into an environment to help them understand and visualize the challenges they may face as they prepare to go to different countries.”
Royal Army Lt. Col. Andrew Atkinson, a staff officer assigned to the Operational Experimentation Branch at Headquarters Supreme Allied Command Transformation, worked to develop the concept of PoC over the last two years and believes the protection of civilians should be at the core of all NATO operations.
“The protection of civilians concept is applicable to all military operations,” said Atkinson. “People are the reason for a mission and are what leads a mission to success. Understanding the human environment through this concept and through interactive training will allow NATO to avoid, minimize and mitigate the negative effects arising from NATO and NATO-led military operations on civilian populations. Moving into the future, NATO Allies and partners can work to protect civilians from conflict, related physical violence or threats of violence by other actors by helping to establish safe and secure areas.”
Tracy Cheasley, a liaison officer at Headquarters Supreme Allied Command Transformation for non-governmental organizations, has worked with her colleagues on the concept of PoC since the policy’s inception in 2016.
“Moving into the future, Allied Command Transformation hopes to continue to transform NATO’s training environment,” said Cheasley. “Through the use of virtual reality, puzzles, constructive feedback and interactive courses we can pull away from traditional PowerPoint presentations and transform into something all NATO nations can benefit from.”
As one of NATO’s two strategic commands, Allied Command Transformation has been located in the United States since 2003. The city of Norfolk, and the region, serve as exceptional hosts to military and civilian personnel from 34 allied and partner nations. As the warfare development command for NATO, Allied Command Transformation’s mission is to contribute to preserving the peace, security and territorial integrity of Alliance member states by leading the transformation efforts of military structures, forces, capabilities and doctrines.
For more information about NATO’s “Concept for the Protection of Civilians” please visit the Allied Command Transformation website at http://act.nato.int/nato-summit-2018
| Date Taken: | 07.12.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 07.13.2018 07:02 |
| Story ID: | 284092 |
| Location: | BRUSSELS, BRUXELLES-CAPITALE, RéGION DE (FR), BRUSSELS HOOFDSTEDELIJK GEWEST (NL), BE |
| Web Views: | 198 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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