Written evidence from the Ministry of Defence

Military Educational Courses

The IDC asked about the content of the courses the UK Government were offering Burmese military officials. Below is a list of the courses that were on offer – with a short explanation of their content.

The focus of the UK’s defence engagement strategy has been on securing long-term change in the military through education. Since 2013, when the UK Defence Section opened in Rangoon, we have offered a range of courses focused on governance, accountability, ethics, human rights and international law. This programme of courses was agreed in consultation with the civilian government and we have ensured that all engagement complies with the UK’s obligations under the EU Arms Embargo. The UK has not provided any funding or combat training to the Burmese military.

On 19 September 2017, in light of the ongoing violence in Burma’s Rakhine State, the growing humanitarian crisis it has caused, and our deep concern about the human rights abuses that were taking place, the Secretary of State for Defence took the decision to suspend the educational courses provided to the Burmese military. This will be until, as set out by the Prime Minister when announcing the suspension, the issue is resolved.

The large majority of students attended courses in country; only a few attended courses in the UK.  For example, in FY 2017/18 69 students were signed up for educational courses before the suspension of engagement, of whom 40 were due to receive English language training and 16 to attend the psychology of leadership course in Naypyidaw.

        Managing Defence in the Wider Security Context (MDWSC) Residential course. This course delivers an increased understanding of the issues associated with the governance and management of defence. The term governance refers to the overall, ethical direction of defence resources in accordance with the constitution and national law and to the control of military organisations by the political authorities of the state. The management of defence addresses the efficient and effective use of human, financial and material resources to meet defence and wider national security objectives. Governance and management are inter-dependent; poor governance and a lack of accountability open up possibilities for corruption and other abuses of human and physical resources. This is a seven-week, multi-national course, aimed at middle ranking officers and officials (Lt Col or equivalent) and delivered at the UK Defence Academy in conjunction with its academic partner Cranfield University.

• MDWSC (Export) course.  Like the MDWSC Residential, this provides a platform to examine different approaches to governance and the management of defence in developed and transitional democracies. This course encourages participants (generally of Lt Col rank) to review critically how major defence issues are addressed and is tailored to the host country. It covers security and governance topics in the first week and selected defence management themes in the second. This two-week course is delivered overseas in the host country by the UK Defence Academy alongside its academic partners Cranfield University.

        Senior Strategic Leadership Programme (SSLP) (Residential). This course is aimed at military officers and civilian officials from across the defence and security sector. It seeks to provide students with the framework to enhance their strategic leadership performance and understand the challenges of leadership at the strategic level. Blended study includes leadership models and ethics, managing major organisational changes and decision making at the corporate and strategic level. The course will also expose participants to cultural difference in leadership with the international students drawn from geographically diverse areas. The Senior Strategic Leadership Programme is one week, multi-national, residential course delivered at the UK Defence Academy and aimed at senior military and civilian officials at the 1*, 2* and 3* level (Brigadier to Lieutenant General equivalent) from across the defence and security sector. It is supported by Cranfield University.

        Strategic Leadership Programme (SLP) (Export). Like the SLP Residential, it seeks to enhance strategic leadership and management at the corporate/strategic level. It is offered to mid-senior ranking (normally Colonel to Brigadier and equivalents) officers and officials across the defence and security sector. It is designed to address both the competence and ethics of leaders who are required to operate in an increasingly complex, joined-up and rapidly changing world; this requires them to think, work and lead in different, innovative ways. The Senior Leadership Programme is a week-long, delivered overseas to a host country by the UK Defence Academy and supported by Cranfield University.
 

• Building Integrity for Senior Leadership (BISL).  A week-long course delivered at the UK Defence Academy.  Aimed at 1* and 2* level, senior military and civilian officials, this multi-national course focuses on the role of senior leadership in implementing and maintaining anti-corruption measures, improved accountability and transparency across the defence and security sectors.  It seeks to examine the key aspects of leadership and change management in analysing and addressing the risk of corruption within the defence and security sector including, in finance, acquisition and procurement, human resource management and, its effect on instability, overall capability and operational output.
   
• Royal College of Defence Studies (RCDS).  This is the premier educational establishment of the UK Defence Academy, providing a post-graduate level education in strategic studies for officers and cross-government civilian officials with the potential for high rank in the UK and overseas. The RCDS aim is to provide graduates, who understand the international strategic context, are skilled in analysis and able to work intuitively across national, cultural and ideological boundaries and to lead or contribute to developing strategy at the highest level. 
   
• Basic Military English Course (BMEC).  This course teaches basic English language skills and knowledge with the addition of extra military specialist vocabulary to allow students to communicate more effectively in an international professional military environment. It is 12 weeks long, is delivered at the UK Defence Academy and includes a cultural element including visits to UK cities, to learn more about life and culture in the UK.
   
• English Language Training

• International Humanitarian Law. This course is designed for officers, military lawyers and other military personnel who have a direct professional interest in, or obligation related to, the application of the Law of Armed Conflict.
   

        Exclusive Economic Zone course.  Since 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea (UNCLOS 82), most countries increased their claimed waters from the previous three nautical miles territorial sea. The course looks at environmental, humanitarian and enforcement issues as well as international laws and requirements and also at how the UK addresses the issues.
 

        Psychology of Leadership. This course is based on the Sandhurst syllabus and pushes students to examine their own leadership style and how they can improve command in their respective organisations.
 

• International Intelligence Directors Course. The aim of the course is to provide a programme of lectures, and a forum for high level collegial discussion on current issues pertinent to the management of strategic intelligence in the modern world. The course runs once a year, and is designed for 30 Senior Officers and lasts for two weeks.