Balkan Bridges`2019 is On Track
Date: (05-09-2019)
As a major actor in the preparation CMDR COE hosted the final conference of the exercise Balkan Bridges 2019 (BB19). The event was held on 3 and 4 Sep 2019. Concurrently with the FCC, a SEEETN Configuration Management Team (CMT) Meeting was also carried out in CMDR COE, taking the form of the BB19 Final Technical Conference (FTC). Both were accommodated at the CMDR COE premises in Sofia, Bulgaria.
The exercise is an initiative of the 9 Chiefs of Staff from Balkan countries. It is a 2-level (tactical) Distributed Command Post Exercise (Computer Assisted Exercise) that aims to train participating HQs and units in conducting Peace Support Operation. Traditionally, Ex-Balkan Bridges will receive technical exercise support from NATO JFTC Bydgoszcz, and CMDR COE and for the first time in the series, Ex BB19 will involve SEEBRIG as a Training Audience.
As a recognised Crisis Management and Disaster Response entity in NATO, the COE involvement in Ex BB19 is bi-fold. First, CMDR COE is going to provide the Subject Matter Experts for the Exercise White Cell (IOs/NGOs/Local Law Enforcement/Exercise Media/etc.) and second, the CMDR COE planned to conduct couple of experiments with the Disaster Management Platform, developed by the CMDR COE. The aim of these experiments is to support the decision makers during the whole Disaster Management Cycle by providing disaster models, simulations, C2 systems, SOP database, etc. and to facilitate the training and education of the commanders about the implications of climate change and natural disasters in operational environment.
News
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From October 7, 2019, a new Deputy Director has commenced term of service in the Centre.
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Apparent participation of CMDR COE in the biggest multinational CAX for 2019
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Formally collaboration with the Bulgarian Ministry of Interior
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Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa, H.E. Mr Thabo Thage paid a visit to the Centre
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CMDR COE conducted its resident Crisis Response Operations Planners Professional Development (CROPPD) Course.
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CMDR COE Mobile Education and Training Team (METT) successfully conducted a Planning and Conducting Disaster Relief Operations Course at South-Eastern Europe Brigade (SEEBRIG) HQ
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Our team participated in the Sofia Ekiden Relay Marathon
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CMDR COE METT in David Aghmashenebeli National Defence Academy, Georgia
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CMDR COE welcomed a visitor team from the Tennessee National Guard (TN NG)
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NATO HQ met represantatives of the 25 NATO-accredited Centres of Excelence (COEs), 15-16 July 2019 in Brussels
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CMDR COE has earned Unconditional Accreditation and NATO Quality Assurance Certificate
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Collaboration Framework Agreement was signed with the Capacity Building International Institute (Delaware, USA)
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The Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence has concluded the 7th Annual Conference on Interagency Interaction in Crisis Management and Disaster Response on June 6, 2019 in Sofia, Bulgaria.
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The 2019 resident Disaster Management course was successfully conducted on the newly renovated CMDR COE premises on 13-17 May 2019, and parallel to the NATO Quality Assurance Process for the Centre.
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HQ SACT Quality Assurance Team of Experts with a 2-day visit in Sofia as a part of the Quality Assurance accreditation process of the CMDR COE
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Mr. Damir Krstičević, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense of Croatia visited the CMDR COE on May 3, 2019.
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“One Day Round Table Discussion”, over the development of the new editions of the NATO Strategic Foresight Analysis (SFA) and Framework for Future Alliance Operations (FFAO) Reports
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A productive and informative discussion on most pressing climate change challenges to security.
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CMDR COE reception in the newly opened premises of the Centre
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MNCG conducted its biggest exercise since its establishment - DORR`19 (18-22 March 2019)
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Notable CMDR course this year - first time attended by participants from Afghanistan, Egypt, Pakistan, Tunisia and UAE
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The purpose is to promote ideas in a way that will advance the common understanding as well as gain points of view that might not have been otherwise considered.
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The first NATO GFP course - the CMDR COE and the Nordic Centre for Gender in MIlitary Operations (NCGM) join forces for mainstreaming gender in a military context.
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By conducting NATO Crisis Response System Course from 29 to 31 January 2019, Sofia, CMDR COE marked its first educational event for the year of 2019.
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A post-exercise Lessons Identified Conference in regard of command-post and field exercise "SRBIJA 2018".
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Colonel Roussinov relinquished the position of the CMDR COE Director to Colonel Nikolov who assumed the command. The ceremony was attended by high representatives from the Sponsoring Nations: the Republic of Bulgaria, Hellenic Republic and Republic of Poland as well as distinguished guests from governmental entities and academia.
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State Secretary of Serbian MoD, Aleksandar Zivkovic opened a four-day training for psychologists from the Ministry of Defense and the Army of Serbia called "Training for the management of stress and resilience" and emphasized that the Ministry of Defense appreciates the work of psychological services in all segments.
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The CMDR COE conducted its resident, NATO SELECTED, Strategic Decision-Making for Crisis Response Operations (SDMCRO) Course on 26-30 NOV 2018 at Hotel Shipka, Sofia. This year the course methodology was premised on adult learning - a method enabling the active involvement of trainees in the process of learning by encouraging critical thinking, communication, and problem solving based on individual approach and creativity.
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On Thursday, November 8, Polish Senior National Representative, COL Dariusz Dobron held National Independence Day ceremony which was dedicated to commemorate the anniversary of the restoration of Poland’s sovereignty. Ceremony started with historical outline of the recovery of Polish Independence, followed by reception. The ceremony was honored by the presence of Polish Chargé d′affaires Mr Andrzej Mojkowski, Minister Consul Mr Andrzej Janik, Defense Attaché COL Marek Warmiński and COM NFIU BG COL Stayko Prokopiev.
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On 24-25 October 2018, the Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence (CMDR COE) hosted an important event – the 6th Steering Committee Meeting.
During the meeting on 24 October, the SC members approved the proposed Program of Work 2019 of the Centre as well as the proposed CMDR COE budget estimates for FY-2019.
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