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Civil-Military Interaction Seminar 2009


The Centre’s inaugural Civil-Military Interaction Seminar (CMIS) at HMAS WATSON in Sydney was attended by 100 participants representing military, police and civilian personnel from 29 nations.  CMIS was the Centre’s flagship event for 2009 and sought to enhance the understanding of the role of civil-military relationships in conflicts and disasters.  Based on the four working themes of the Centre – Conflict Prevention, Disaster Management, Humanitarian Assistance and Reconstruction, Governance and the Rule of Law, and Peace and Stabilisation Operations - each of the four days offered participants a mix of keynote speeches and interactive panel sessions followed by indepth analysis during breakout working group sessions.

Sessions were chaired by facilitators, assisted by subject matter experts who sought to capture the experience and knowledge of the wide range of participants. These outcomes of these sessions will be compiled, edited and published in due course.  Participants acquired a critical understanding of emerging civil-military issues; enhanced their understanding of contemporary civil-military issues relevant to United Nations missions and peacekeeping operations; identified, assessed and evaluated interagency opportunities for civil-military integration; analysed the civil-military factors relevant to planning for the conduct of civil-military strategies or actions; applied lessons learnt to the development of outline plans or models for civil-military strategies and actions; developed approaches for partnering, cooperation and collaboration; and built relationships with relevant practitioners from military and civilian agencies.


The Summary Report is now available here...

Civil-Military Interaction Seminar 2009

The inaugural Civil Military Interaction Seminar 2009 (CMIS) was held in Sydney Australia, from Sunday 29 November to Friday 04 December. 

The aim of CMIS was to enhance understanding of civil-military relationships, and effectiveness in conflicts and disasters. 

CMIS Program

CMIS Summary Report

CMIS Brochure

The CMIS curriculum explored emerging issues, and applied lessons learnt to developing new models and strategies delivered through:

Presentations - presentations provided professional insights from high-level policy makers and subject matter experts  who enhance knowledge and stimulate discussions;

Case Studies - experienced practitioners provided in depth analysis on actual missions and events;

Panel Discussions – experienced practitioners explored topics relevant to the four themes;

Working Groups – participants identified lessons learned and determined strategies addressing specific issues; and

Reflections – participants had the opportunity to reflect on each day’s learning. 

 Presenters

CMIS involved thirty highly experienced presenters from military, police, United Nations, non-government organisations, and relevant civilian agencies, who shared their experiences through four themes on:

Conflict prevention and protection of civilians;

Governance and the rule of law;

Disaster management and humanitarian action; and

Peace and stabilisation operations.  


Presenters included:

The Hon. Dr Mike Kelly AM MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Support

Mr Duncan Lewis AO DSC, National Security Advisor, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Air Chief Marshall Angus Houston AC AFC, Chief of the Defence Force

Professor Ramesh Thakur PhD, 2009 Sir Ninian Stephen Visiting Scholar

Mr Ian Martin, Former United Nations Special Representative to the United Nations Secretary-General in East Timor and Nepal

Lieutenant General Jasbir Singh Lidder (ret), Indian Army

Mr Michael Gaouette, United Nations Assistance Mission in Darfur

Major General Patrick Cammaert (ret), United Nations Force Commander

Mr Sebastian Rhodes Stampa, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Mr Bobby Ray Gordon, Center for Excellence in Disaster Management & Humanitarian Assistance

If you require further information please email info@civmilcoe.gov.au