C3I organizer of an Advanced Training Course (ATC) Еvent “Gender Mainstreaming in Counter-terrorism Efforts in Western Balkans” supported by NATO SPS – Opening of the event and 1st working day (16.05.2021)

In the period from 16-21 May 2021, the Cyber security, Corporate security & Crisis Management initiative (C3I) together with the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Tuzla. The co-directors of the event are D-r. Metodi Hadji Janev C3I -Skopje and D-r. Vedada Baraković the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Tuzla.

This ATC (envisioned as five-day training) brought together experts and decision-makers from the relevant state institutions in the Western Balkan Region and NATO countries with a goal to provide a forum for discussion and sharing best practices for the incorporation of gender approaches in counter-terrorism (CT) and Countering violent extremism (CVE), but also for the promotion of equality women in defence and security sectors in Western Balkans.

The goal of this activity is to promote the gender-related issues in the region of Western Balkans, to increase understanding about the valuable role of women in enhancing the CT and CVE efforts and to contribute to wider and more substantial responsibilities of women in these processes.

The opening of the ATC event featured keynote addresses by highly important speakers including: Ms. Clare Hutchinson, NATO WPS Special Representative; Dr. Deniz Beten, SPS Senior Advisor; Dr. Olivera Injac, Minister of Defense, Montenegro; Mr. Borche Petrevski, National Coordinator for Countering Violent Extremism and Combating Terrorism from North Macedonia.

The event started with introductory remarks by the NPD co-director of the event Prof. Dr. Metodi Hadji Janev who emphasized the importance of the incorporation of the gender component as an important aspect of the efforts of countering and preventing terrorist and violent practices. The participants were also introduced with the event’s goals and the topics to be covered during the 6-days training course.

Ms. Clare Hutchinson, NATO WPS Special Representative, in her speech delivered a powerful message on women’s essential role in security, CT and CVE. She stressed that women play crucial, but oftentimes invisible role. Ms. Hutchinson pointed out that only understanding their role will help for effective development of policies for incorporating gender perspectives in these processes.

Dr. Deniz Beten, SPS Senior Advisor, delivered an inspiring speech with important points about the sustained support of NATO SPS programme on initiatives related to gender mainstreaming and empowering women in general. She also emphasized the achievements of theNATO SPS programme interventions in Western Balkans.

Dr. Olivera Injac, Minister of Defense, Montenegro, expressed some encouraging points on women leadership and firm commitment for preventing stereotypes and building inclusive defense system in Montenegro based on NATO standards.

The opening was rounded off with a speech by Mr. Borche Petrevski, National Coordinator for CVE and CT of North Macedonia with important notes on CVE institutional structure in North Macedonia.

The first round of lectures started with Ms. Ljubica Pendaroska, Women4Cyber (North Macedonia) delivered a lecture on Women’s Role in Shaping Security with emphasis on cyber security. She addressed the key aspects of gender inclusion in cyber security and the measures that should be undertaken First day wrap-up was conducted by a lecture by Dr. Vasilka Sancin, Associate Professor, Head of Department of International Law, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Law (Slovenia) who was speaking about International and Regional Legal and Political Framework for Women, Peace and Security. She especially deliberated upon international law position and key UN resolutions.