86th PfP Course on "IMAS and Conformance"
Within the framework of the Partnership for Peace (PfP) Work Programme, the Swiss Government, through the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS), and the GICHD have the honour to invite participants from the National and International Mine Action Organisations and from National Mine Action Authorities (NMAA) to the above-mentioned course taking place from 07 to 11 November 2022 in Spiez, Switzerland.
Gender and Diversity
Both the GICHD and the DDPS promote good gender and diversity practices to avoid all forms of discrimination. Applications are encouraged from women, minorities, persons with disabilities and persons of all sexual orientation or gender identity.
Visa
Participants requiring a visa should apply at the Swiss Embassy in their country. Invitation letters can be provided by the GICHD.
Language
The course will be given in English, no translation will be provided.
Dress
Civilian/casual dress throughout the course.
Topics
From
To
00Objective
The following competences are gained:
- Know where the official and updated versions of IMAS, TNMAs and T&EPs are.
- Choose IMAS documents relevant to a specific topic.
- Search for specific terms within an IMAS document and across the IMAS framework.
- Distinguish between and search for requirements, recommendations and possibilities in IMAS documents.
- Understand the relation and difference between IMAS, NMAS and SOPs.
- Review and compare a NMAS or SOP against IMAS to check the conformance.
- Understand and outline the main standard principles and requirements for land release, explosive ordnance risk education, victim assistance, stockpile destruction, information management, quality management, risk management, safety and occupational health, the management of training, and environmental management in mine action as per IMAS.
.
00Program and Method
The course includes presentations, discussions, group work and simulated field exercise. These sessions will cover effective and efficient implementation of national Quality Management systems to complement Risk Management (including threat analysis and threat assessment), Information Management and Land Release methods and the definition of concepts such as All Reasonable Effort and Conformance.
00Participants
This course is open to all mine action practitioners, from national mine action authorities, international and national NGOs, UN agencies, donor countries and other representatives as specifically selected by the Swiss Ministry of Defence and the GICHD.
This course is also designed for national officers and military personnel responsible for or engaged in the development of the National Mine Action Standards (NMAS), who are conversant with IMAS. It is also relevant for military personnel, responsible for pre-deployment trainings of Explosive Ordnance Disposal, experts or engineer units in the framework of peace support operations.
The aspired outcome is enabling participants to apply the acquired knowledge to improve and upgrade their National Mine Action Standards (NMAS) and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). The course will include introductory sessions on new IMAS chapters and updates. It will also be the occasion to practice and understand how to translate IMAS requirements into fit-for purpose national standards and SOPs.
IMPORTANT:
Language requirements
Participants must be able to communicate and present in English.
Certificate of Achievement - "Understanding the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS)" GICHD e-learning module
Please take the free IMAS introductory e-learning course by registering on the GICHD training platform here (training.gichd.org)
The Certificate of Achievement is required as a pre-requisite to be selected for 86th PfP Course on "IMAS and Conformance". Please submit your Certificate of Achievement during the registration process.
Letter of Endorsement
A Letter of Endorsement is required from the superior to complete the registration. The Letter of Endorsement is to be submitted during the registration process.
00Cost
The Swiss Government will cover participant expenses for food and accommodation while in Spiez (Sunday, 6 November 2022, earliest date of arrival to Saturday, 12 November 2022, latest date of departure).
Transportation and Sponsorship
Travel costs from country of origin to Zurich, Switzerland has to be covered by each respective organisation. It is recommended that all participants schedule an arrival in Zurich, Switzerland no later than Sunday, 6 November 2022.
There are up to three subsidies for transportation to and from Switzerland available from the Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS). Sponsorship is not guaranteed and requests will be considered on a case by case basis. It is imperative that applicants wishing subsidies for transportation get in touch with the GICHD (pfp@gichd.org) before making any arrangements, and not later than the application deadline.
Train tickets Zurich Airport – Spiez – Zurich Airport will be reimbursed to the participants (only second-class tickets).
Insurance
The DDPS and the GICHD do not cover health care expenses or any expenses that might arise for Covid-19 related matters, including quarantine/isolation. All participants are themselves responsible for adequate insurance (health, accident and liability) or need a Governmental guarantee to cover any health care expenses in Switzerland. Participants need to pay special attention to additional costs that might arise in case of Covid-19, such as hotel costs for quarantine, flight change etc. as they are not necessarily covered by the insurances.
Cancellation
The GICHD has the right to cancel the course latest two weeks prior to the training should it not reach the minimum number of participants. As well the GICHD will adapt the delivery of the course to the recommendations made by the the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health for all matters related to Covid-19. For this reason the type of the training might be adapted to a online or hybrid version or might be cancelled entirely should it not be possible to deliver a face-to-face meeting.
More Information
Course duration
Modality
Location
ABZ
Schachenstrasse 43
3700 Spiez
Switzerland