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Advanced Security Cooperation (ASC)
Course Description
I. INTRODUCTION
The Advanced Security Cooperation (ASC) course is designed to advance knowledge,
skills and networks related to multilateral security cooperation in the
Asia-Pacific Region among mid-career security practitioners representing
national government agencies and other influential regional and national
entities. The course intends to stimulate strategic analysis and understanding
of major security trends and challenges in the region, available and desirable
tools and processes of their mitigation as well requirements for developing
adequate national capabilities to support regional effort of
confidence-building, preventive diplomacy, conflict resolution and crisis
management. Additionally, the course seeks to enhance individual leader skills
in critical thinking, communication, collaboration and decision-making in
complex multinational and culturally diverse environments.
The course is intended to contribute to the
following regional outcomes:
Expanded capacity (and self-reliance) of nations and international
organizations to contend with current and anticipated security challenges
Strengthened mechanisms for interagency coordination and multinational
cooperation on regional security issues
Increased regional capability in early-warning, surveillance, and information
systems for preventative action and crisis management; improved protocols and
procedures for information processing and sharing
Length of the Course: 6 weeks
Frequency: 2 to 3 times a year
Fellows: O-4 to O-6 (with some O-7s from those countries not considering O-7s as
flag officers) and civilian equivalents (interagency, NGOs, and regional
influencers); up to 45 nations represented; 50-80 Fellows per course; 80/20% mix
regional/US.
II. EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
1. Enhanced Knowledge: Security Trends and Tools of Cooperation
.
Understand the complex, comprehensive and interdependent nature of global and
regional security
Review key security concepts and approaches
Examine the multi-dimensional nature and impact of globalization on security
thinking
Explain major security trends and challenges in the Asia-Pacific
Identify current and evolving potential for multinational security cooperation
and confidence-building
Examine enablers and inhibitors of security cooperation
Discuss current and emerging security tensions between states in the region
and ways of their mitigation
Review major transnational challenges in the region and develop a
collaborative response to them
Understand regional perspectives on security governance and security sector
reform, as well as what is needed to improve regional security cooperation
2. Applied Procedures/Processes:
Trend analysis
Risk assessment
Prioritization of security challenges and responses
Decision-making in a multinational coalition/team
Conflict resolution and negotiations
Prevention and mitigation of transnational challenges, such as pandemics
Preparedness and response to strategic shocks, such as natural disasters
Modeling of an efficient and effective multilateral security cooperation
Development of measures of effectiveness
3. Improved Personal and Teaming Skills
A. Personal skills:
Understand and incorporate cultural and national sensitivities
Communicate effectively (advocate/persuade, not just inform) in a variety of
situations
Cooperate, contribute and lead within a multi-national team (coalition)
Inspire commitment and confidence in others during difficult/challenging
situations
Use information technology to enhance cooperation levels
Report/brief out concisely and convincingly on accomplished results
Persuade security-policy formulators and decision-makers in a manner that
enables and causes them to act for the common good
B. Teaming skills:
Assess and clarify a teams information environment: goals,
knowns/unknowns/assumptions
Shape a teams process: rules, terms of reference, time management
Develop a teams organization: roles (formal and informal), contributions and
limitations of members
Plan action steps related to a decision on the best security-cooperation
option
Outline a vision for security-cooperation way ahead
III. CURRICULUM OVERVIEW
The course is a comprehensive and multidimensional executive learning experience
composed of three elements:
Core Curriculum
Advanced Studies Program of Electives
Professional Enhancement Program that includes skills courses, guest speakers
and course attendees presentations
The curriculum focuses on current and future non-warfighting aspects of regional
and global security and is divided into four parts:
Assessment of Regional Security Environment
Enhancing Regional Resilience to Transnational Challenges
Regional Capacity Building for Sustainable Development
Advancing State and Agency Capabilities for Regional Collaboration
Each part consists of several relevant topics presented by faculty members
followed by facilitated discussions in smaller seminar groups and learning by
doing workshop activities. It concludes with a comprehensive exercise which
reinforces the intended learning objectives. In the final course wrap-up
workshop, the Fellows will discuss best practices and the way ahead in
collaborative regional security strategy incorporating the insights, experiences
and skills gained during the course. The Electives are designed to supplement
the Core Curriculum by providing a more in-depth study, discussion and
interaction on specific areas of interest to the Fellows and their agencies. In
addition, brown bag presentations by faculty members, Fellows and guest
speakers will be offered on various security topics.
Who would benefit by attending this course
Security practitioners and experts whose current/future responsibilities require
significant participation in security policy formulation and execution as well
as international security interaction and who have the following backgrounds.
Military Officers
Law Enforcement Officers
Foreign Service Members
Representatives of Government Agencies
Representatives of International and Regional Organizations
Researchers and Faculty of Government Think Tanks and Security Studies
Colleges
Media Representatives
NGO Representatives
Business Representatives
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