Senior regional leaders complete transnational cooperation course at DKI APCSS

Official TSC 17-2 Group Photo.

Twenty-seven senior leaders from twenty-four nations and one regional organization participated in the Transnational Security Cooperation course (TSC 17-2) from Nov. 12 – 17 at the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies (DKI APCSS).

The course is offered twice a year to senior security practitioners from the whole-of-government and society at the vice-minister to ambassador (one- to four-star) level. It aims to enhance awareness of transnational security issues within the complex environments they occur; explore collaborative policies to address transnational security challenges; identify opportunities to strengthen states’ capacities; and promote effective security governance.

TSC 17-2 examined the nexus between traditional and non-traditional elements of security to highlight the importance of a broader understanding of security. The blended approach of plenary lectures, elective presentations and a tabletop exercise kept senior leaders actively engaged in a shared learning experience during the course of the week.

Army Col. James Minnich provides a presentation during plenary.

“We describe the participants in the TSC course as `Senior Fellows’ for a reason,” explained TSC Course Manager Jonathan Odom. “These officials serve in some of the highest-ranking positions within their governments, and bring a wealth of experience as security practitioners into our classrooms.” Odom pointed out that, with an average of 25 years of government service, the 27 Senior Fellows of TSC 17-2 have a cumulative total of nearly seven centuries of experience addressing security challenges that face their nations. “For this reason,” noted Odom, “one of the true benefits of the course is the facilitated opportunity for the participants to teach one another through large and small group discussions.” Of course, this sharing does not end at TSC graduation, but can continue indefinitely as the Senior Fellows return to their nations and network with one another from around the region and world.

TSC 17-2 Fellows work together on a tabletop exercise.

TSC is one of five formal courses at DKI APCSS. The center is a Department of Defense institute that addresses regional and global security issues. Military and civilian representatives, most from the United States and Asia-Pacific nations, participate in a comprehensive program of executive education, professional exchanges and outreach events, both in Hawaii and throughout the Asia-Pacific region.

The Center supports U.S. Pacific Command by developing and sustaining relationships among security practitioners and national security establishments throughout the region. DKI APCSS’ mission is to build capacities and communities of interest by educating, connecting and empowering security practitioners to advance Asia-Pacific security. It is one of the Department of Defense’s five regional security studies centers.