The NAUCS creates conditions for civil servants to improve their knowledge and competencies on European integration. This was noted by Nataliia Aliushyna, Head of the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service, during the launch of the training course "Negotiations with the EU and the Dynamics of Decision-Making: A Practical Approach (Interactive Simulation Exercises Using the Community Method and Exercises on International Crisis Response)".

According to the Head of the Agency, this is the first time such training has been conducted in Ukraine. The course was developed by the Higher School of Public Administration. The course includes theory and simulation exercises that will allow participants to better understand the EU decision-making algorithm. It covers both standard and high-risk situations.

The training course was attended by representatives of state authorities whose area of competence includes cooperation with the EU. During the week, they will improve their professional knowledge in the field of European integration, approximation of Ukrainian legislation to EU law, as well as EU standards in the relevant field, etc. Based on the results of the training, participants will receive certificates of completion of the course worth 1 ECTS credit.

The lecturer was Alejandro Ribo Labastida, a professor at the College of Europe and the European Diplomatic Academy. For almost 20 years, he has been developing and running simulations of EU negotiations on community issues and EU responses to international security crises. A significant part of his courses is aimed at developing the capacity of the civil service, in particular at preparing candidate countries for EU accession. 

The training was organised by the SCMU with the support of the National Agency of Ukraine on Civil Service and the Hanns-Seidel-Stiftung.