Cooperation with public institutions, academics, intergovernmental organizations, non – governmental organizations from host states to stationary military troops is one of the main objectives of the United States’ armed forces. Acquiring and updating knowledge and skills through formal and informal learning opportunities is essential to addressing the increasingly complex global challenges. The multinational military – to – military seminar held in Bucharest from 8 to 10 September 2015 was meant to serve as a catalyst in this respect. The participating partner countries were invited to share their experiences, discuss military, civilian – military tactics and techniques, and develop working relationships.
The organizer of the seminar was the U.S. Marines Civil Affairs team within the Black Sea Rotational Force exercise, in partnership with the Ministry of National Defense in Romania.The main topics of the event were Civil Military Coordination and partnership among NATO operations. The members of the audience were officials from the military civil affairs units in the Balkan region.
One of the points of interest in civil affairs activities carried out by the U.S. Marine Corps is the recognition and protection of non-combatant structures, such as patrimony sites, monuments, archives. The National Commission of Romania for UNESCO participated in this seminar, through expert Iris Constantin, with a presentation on UNESCO’s response to crisis and transition, covering both armed conflicts and natural disasters. UNESCO’s mission in this area is focused on capacity building and human development, thus contributing to relief and reconstruction in post – conflict/post – disaster situations in the fields of education, sciences, culture and communication, in close coordination within the overall United Nations system-wide response and other Organizations pursuing similar objectives.
