Summer School for Young Professionals 2013: Challenges of Global Security Environment

Centre for European and North Atlantic Affairs (CENAA) together with its partner Armed Forces Academy of General M. R. Štefánik (AFA) in Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia is organizing the Summer School for Young Professionals 2013: Challenges of Global Security Environment on 29 June 2013 – 7 July 2013. If you are a master or doctoral level student of political science and/or international relations, or a young professional who is interested and active in the foreign and security policy issues, then we would like to invite YOU to join other students from Central Europe (V4), South Eastern Europe (Western Balkans), Ukraine and South Caucasus in an interactive week-long forum focused on the current issues of the security policy.

You can enjoy the environment of the Armed Forces Academy in Liptovský Mikuláš, located between the beautiful High and Low Tatras. On July 4th we will move our summer school from Liptovský Mikuláš to Mukcahevo in Ukraine and we will continue with our program. The structure of the teaching at the summer school is aimed to provide you with the basics of the security policy background and overview of the current security issues such as Afghanistan beyond 2014, NATO partnerships, smart defence or  current events in Africa and other conflict region. 

One of the main objectives of this international summer school is the preparation of young professionals – future leaders from mentioned regions – to act in the foreign and security policy. Interactive discussions and lectures led by top speakers from various international and Slovak organizations will therefore focus on open exchange of ideas and interaction of participants from different backgrounds. There will be many side activities besides the classroom lectures and discussions – dynamic workshop, trip to nearby High Tatras and city of Liptovský Mikuláš, receptions, Airbase in Prešov and others.

The teaching language of the summer school will be English. At the end of the school, you will receive certificate of course attendance issued by the Armed Forces Academy.

Application Process

To apply please send a complete application package, i.e. filled-in application form, your CV and motivation letter (max 550 words), to the following email address: school@cenaa.org (put word “application” into the mail subject). The deadline for receiving your application is April 30, 2013 (Tuesday). You will receive the information on your acceptance within one week after this deadline. If accepted you will be provided with complete details regarding the summer school.

Participants will be selected according to the following criteria:

1. Educational background
2. Level of English as a second language
3. Motivation letter, in which the interest in the issues of the foreign and security policy will be valued the most

Motivation letter should address your interest in the issues related to the topic of the summer school and should explain how do you intend to turn the knowledge and experiences gained at the summer school for your benefit. Motivation letter should be maximum 550 words. It will be taken into consideration that English is not your mother tongue; however, a good command of English is required.

Financial Support

• If you are from Ukraine, South Caucasus or Western Balkans: Your travel costs, accommodation and meals will be fully covered. However there is a participation fee 60 EUR and you should pay your visa if required by yourself.
• If you are from V4 country: Your accommodation and meals will be fully covered. However there is a participation fee 100 EUR and you should pay your travel cost by yourself.
• If you are from any other country: You will have to cover all the expenses of your participation at the Summer School. It amounts to 290 EUR + travel cost.

E-mail: school@cenaa.org

Mobile: +421 949 341 304

Website: http://cenaa.org/en/publications/summer-school/