Central Europe in the Age of Hybrid Security Threats
Academy of Armed Forces of gen. Milan Rastislav Štefánik, Liptovský Mikuláš, Slovakia June 24th – July 1st, 2017
A LOOK BACK
Download a One-Page report from Summer University 2017 (English)
Download a One-Page report from Summer University 2017 (Slovak)
2017 Summer University Program
About
STRATPOL Summer University is tailored for young professionals (age 20-30) within the field of international relations, political science, security studies and other primarily from V4, Ukraine and the Balkans. Event is designed as a high-profile interactive course consisting of study visits, lectures, workshops and discussions led by international experts with proven background in decision-making, diplomacy, academia, NGOs and media.
Our Summer University has a 10-year tradition. In that time, it became a household name in Central European context. In the past editions, more than 300 young professionals have joined us for insightful lectures, enriching debates and informal discussions in the beautiful environment of the Tatra mountains.
2017 edition in numbers
- 7 days of lectures, discussions, workshops, simulations, debates and study visits
- 22 devoted participants who travelled from 9 countries
- Slovakia, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovenia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova and Turkey
- 18 speakers from government, embassies, NGOs, academia, military and media
Topic of the 2017 edition
The underlining topic of the 2017 was: “Central Europe in the Age of Hybrid Security Threats”
First day provided an introduction into security by our Director Dr. Trucsányi and introduction into Central European Security by Petr Bátor from the Office of the President of the Slovak Republic.
Matthew Rhodes, which spoke at the Summer University first in 2007, introduced NATO’s role in Changing Security Environment. Petr Luňák described NATO Public Diplomacy and Slovak Deputy Minister of Defence Robert Ondrejcsák talked about current issues in NATO and Central Europe.
U.S. Ambassador to Slovakia Adam Sterling talked about activities of the embassy in countering hybrid threats, disinformation, propaganda or extremism. Adviser to Slovak Deputy Defence Minister Miroslav Mizera described the struggles of NATO Strategic Communication in the time of hybrid threats.
Describing specific threats Orsolya Rácz discussed the problem of radicalisation and home-grown terrorism. Ondřej Rojčík from Czech Cyber Security Centre introduced threats and security issues in the cyber domain. Pavol Kosnáč focused on foreign fighters and battle charities. Lastly, Győri Lóránt from Political Capital discussed the issue of pro-Russian far right actors and Russian influence in Central Europe.
From territorial focus, Lucia Yar from EurActiv.sk talked about current Turkish politics. Our Research Fellow Maryna Vorotnyuk outlined security issues in the Black Sea region and South Caucasus. Dušan Fischer from SFPA uncovered the U.S. foreign policy towards Central Europe.
In a more practical part, participants put their knowledge in use during an extensive conflict management simulation, solving a crisis in the Western Balkans. They also got a chance to discuss NATO and hybrid threats in an Oxford-style debate. On Friday, participants embarked on a visit to Slovak Air Base in Sliač.
The officers from NATO Force Integration Unit Slovakia outlined their role and NATO functioning from a more practical perspective in a lively discussion with the participants.
Partners
- Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic
- Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic
- U. S. Embassy in Slovakia
- NATO Public Diplomacy Division
