II Course on Maritime Security

​The II Course on Maritime Security, organised by the Atlantic Centre in partnership with the National Defence Institute (IDN) of Portugal, NATO Committee on Gender Perspectives (NCGP) and Cameroon, will take place from 17-20 May 2022, in the Portuguese Military Air Base Nº 4, Lajes, Terceira Island, Azores, under the topic “Maritime Security and Human Security”.

The course aims to provide the appropriate conceptual tools to better grasp the complexity of multidimensional maritime challenges, as well as to explore how to best strengthen capacities and foster local resilience, while promoting solutions that enhance social cohesion and advance respect for human rights and dignity in maritime-bound contexts.

The following eligibility criteria should be abided:

1. Staff officers from all services of the armed forces (OF3-OF5) or civilians equivalent, including high-level public officials, researchers, academics, NGOs and IOs staff and practitioners.
2. Nationals from or working in an Atlantic country. 
3. Proven relevant experience in the field of maritime security and related areas.​The Atlantic Centre strongly encourages a balanced participation of men and women in its activities. 

Documents to be submitted:​​

1. CV 
   
2. Application/Motivation letter from the candidate

The required documentation should be submitted on the registration form. The organizing committee, composed of one representative of each partner entity, will have the final decision regarding every participant.

The deadline for applications is closed. A final decision of admission will be provided soon.​​

​The assumption that maritime security begins ashore inasmuch as it unfolds at sea has found fertile ground in contemporary debates over how to best address its multiple root causes. Embedded in this rationale is the acknowledgement that understandings of maritime security need to go beyond traditional security perils, such as piracy or illegal trafficking in arms and drugs, and also properly account for the impact on local surrounding communities. In this regard, human security has emerged as a useful conceptual linchpin, bridging previous concerns on sea power and marine safety with a growing attention to blue economy developments and the security of the individual, so as to better ensure that ‘freedom from fear’ and ‘freedom from want’ apply in equal measure to inland and shoreline communities alike.

The case of illegal unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU), the ramifications of climate change and pollution, the protection of human rights or the mitigation of gender disparities comprise only but a few manifestations of growing intersections in this domain, which require increasingly comprehensive responses to address the causes and consequences underpinning such challenges.

This course will therefore explicitly focus on “Maritime Security and Human Security” as the overarching theme for its 2022 edition, and will be taught entirely in English and participation will be exclusively in-person. Support will be provided in terms of accommodation and meals, throughout the duration of the course, as well as facilitation of visa procedures (if so required). Travel expenses and formalities to and from Terceira Island, Azores, as well as any personal expenses, will be of the responsibility of each participant. Due to the persistent pandemic context, the planned activities will comply with the strictest public health guidelines in force. As such, the course will take place exclusively within the limits of PRT Air Base No. 4 and always with a limited number of participants.