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 18 to 29 July 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.
The 10-day training course, aims to enhance knowledge, skills and attitude of Mine Action staff in with the following training objectives:
This course will be delivered in a classroom setting, with preparatory reading material and mandatory online modules attended prior to the face to face phase.
This training course will be developed to be inclusive and interactive, enabling peer led knowledge-sharing and reflective learning, through Q&A and simulation exercises. This approach to learning is in line with best practices for adult learning, with a focus on participants understanding the “why’ and the “how” of Operational Management in MA.
The number of participants is limited to 25. Preference will be given to individuals directly working in mine action operations. The GICHD will seek to ensure gender and diversity-balanced participation.
The course will be conducted in English. Good working knowledge of English is therefore a requirement.
Shortlisted participants are required to provide a support letter from their organisation.
In addition to national and international staff of mine action organisations, the course is also open to NATO/PfP, MD, ICI and Contact States.
Cost
The Swiss Government will cover participant expenses for food and accommodation while in Spiez (Sunday, 17 July 2022, earliest date of arrival to Saturday, 30 July 2022, latest date of departure).
Visa
Participants requiring a visa should apply at the Swiss Embassy in their country. Invitation letters can be provided by the GICHD.
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, 17 July 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 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 an online or hybrid version or might be cancelled entirely should it not be possible to deliver a face-to-face meeting.
GICHD.org / AP Mine Ban Convention / Mine Action Standards / IMSMA wiki / Collaborative ORDnance data repository / Convention on Cluster Munitions / Gender and Mine Action Programme