The “Strategic Communication Course”, organized by RACVIAC – Centre for Security Cooperation, in cooperation with the Hellenic Multinational Peace Support Operations Training Center (MPSOTC), took place from 19 to 21 October 2021 in RACVIAC. The Course shed light on the role played by strategic communication in a rapidly changing landscape shaped by intensive digitalization, the emergence of innovative technologies, the proliferation of online disinformation, and the ever-eroding trust in public institutions.
The overall purpose of the Course was to familiarize Officers, NCOs and Civilians with the necessary knowledge and skills regarding Strategic Communications (StratCom), in accordance with the relevant NATO training material (unclassified), particularly to ensure consistency and credibility of communications through comprehensive coordination.
Opening the Course RACVIAC Director, MG (ret.) Jeronim Bazo, said: “ First of all, I would like to express my appreciation to the Hellenic Multinational Peace Support Operations Training Center on their support in organizing this event and bringing Mr Wahid Feroz to us today. After a break due to the pandemic, I am very glad to welcome you once again here in Rakitje and Croatia.”
MG (ret.) Bazo pointed out that Strategic communications use message development with high levels of planning and research of audience behaviors and perceptions to fulfill the organization’s mission. „The messages are created to target specific audiences and help position an organization’s communication goals with its structural goals.“ He also concluded that the language used by leaders can play a critical role in shaping individual behaviour and that the tone of the message can instil confidence and offer reassurance to the wider public.
The Welcoming presentation was given by COL Kontantinos Konstantiniakos, Deputy Commander of the Hellenic MPSOTC. He greeted all the participants and RACVIAC Staff on behalf of COL Ioannis Sotiriou, Commander of the Hellenic MPSOTC, and expressed great satisfaction with the cooperation of MPSOTC and RACVIAC in this activity.
The first day of the activity was focused on topics named „STRATCOM Doctrine“, „InfoOps and Stratcom“, „Open Source Information – OSINT“ and „Cultural Environment“ which were followed by splitting up into 4 syndicate groups. The second day of the activity the topics were dedicated to the „Meaning & Development of the Narrative“ and sydicate groups were supposed to prepare the narrative according to the instructions given.
Day three focused on „Effective Messaging“ delivered by Mr Wahid Feroz who shared his rich experience with the participants. This topic and discussions during his presentation were also followed by syndicate work closely connected to „effective messaging“.
MG (ret.) Jeronim Bazo closed the Course on 21 October 2021 with the awarding of the certificates, concluding: „I would like to thank all the participants for coming here and I hope you found the Course informative and enjoyable. You were introduced to the many practices and principles of Strategic Communication so you enriched your personal knowledge and gained a better understanding of NATO policy and concepts in the area of STRATCOM and updated them on the latest developments in the field of strategic communications“.
Upon successful completion of the Course the participants received certificates proving that they completed a three-day Course and explored the necessary knowledge and skills regarding Strategic Communications in accordance with the relevant NATO training material.
