Inter-active and dynamic training activities such as exercises and concept development experiments in civil-military relations require a large spectrum of expertise and experience. In order to mirror the present day realities of peace operations where both military and civilian actors are present, civilian expertise is needed in many military exercises.

Civilian participation in military exercises aim at rendering the exercise more realistic and makes possible the exploration of how civilian and military organisations can interact. For this purpose the Folke Bernadotte Academy offers support to military exercises both during the exercises themselves and in the planning process of drafting the scenario and contents of the activity. The Academy mainly supports activities led by the Swedish Armed Forces but have also provided experts to the Swiss Armed Forces and NATO Allied Command Transformation.

In 2010 the major exercises we support are “Combined Joint Staff Exercise 10” in April where students at Nordic and Baltic defence colleges and the Swiss Armed Forces train and “Illuminated Summer 10” with staff from Force Headquarters of the Nordic Battle Group 2011. During 2010, the preparations for the international exercise VIKING 11 will also accelerate. This is Sweden’s major civil, military, police exercise, co-chaired by the Swedish Armed Forces and the Folke Bernadotte Academy.

The Academy cooperates with a vast network of partners and facilitates the civilian involvement in exercise design, scripting, execution and evaluation. In order to facilitate the civilian involvement in exercises the Folke Bernadotte Academy maintains a roster of more than 200 experts with relevant profiles from which suitable candidates are selected. Ideally international and non-governmental organisations in the exercise are represented by organisations and persons with significant experience from the specific organisation they play. In particular field experience is considered beneficial for realistic representation. However, participation in exercises can also act as a training opportunity for staff planned to be deployed to missions.

Currently, we seek to expand our network by engaging more partner nations, organisations and individuals. Questions and expressions of interest should be directed to the exercise and experiment support team at exercises@folkebernadotteacademy.se