About – Societal Security Online Course

The NEEDS project aimed to bridge the gap between societal security education and skills required in the field, as well as to promote a common societal security culture in the region. The results of the NEEDS (“Needs-based education and studies in societal security”) project are now accessible to stakeholders and individuals who can take the online course and join an online community to deepen their knowledge in societal security issues and contribute to a safer and more secure society in the Baltic Sea Region.

The NEEDS Online Course on Societal Security addresses the skills gap within the field that was identified during the project. By blending theoretical insights with practical expertise from seasoned professionals, the course aims to foster a common understanding of societal security across the region.

Today’s societies, seen not only as individual national entities but also as part of a collective international society, face times of diverse crises with transnational, cross-border impacts. Thinking of just the Covid pandemic, war, and climate-related disasters such as floods, there are numerous factors influencing the work in societal security. Therefore, understanding whom to connect with and address across these borders is pivotal. The online course not only imparts essential knowledge but also nurtures a global perspective, empowering individuals to navigate the complexities of societal security effectively.

One of the course’s unique features is its alignment with real-world job expectations. Its content has been meticulously curated to meet the actual demands of the field, ensuring that learners gain practical insights directly applicable in their professional lives. The course content was developed to increase relevant knowledge, drawing upon both theoretical and practical inputs from experts, teachers, and practitioners in the field.

Hosted on the Canvas e-learning platform by the Swedish Defence University, the course offers an accessible and flexible learning experience. Enrollees have the freedom to study at their own pace, making education adaptable to individual schedules. Moreover, it’s cost-free, eliminating financial barriers and making knowledge accessible to everyone.

Yet, the NEEDS project goes beyond conventional learning. It has also fostered an inclusive online community dedicated to institutionalising societal security education. This community serves as a collaborative hub, encouraging participants to engage in discussions, share insights, and expand their networks. By connecting like-minded individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures, the online community amplifies the impact of the knowledge gained in the course. The course and the community, while interconnected, allow individuals to join either or both based on their interests and needs.

Modules of the online course:

Module 1: Concepts of societal security
Module 2: Shared understanding of the societal security culture in the BSR
Module 3: Societal security values, functions and services
Module 4: Crisis management cycle
Module 5: Risk assessment
Module 6: Risk landscape in the BSR area
Module 7: Crisis Diagnosis and Crisis Management
Module 8: Resilience
End of the Course (Conclusion)

What you should know by the end of this course:

several of the main concepts of societal security, including societal functions and services and societal values
societal security risks, threats and vulnerabilities in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR)
what it means to have a shared understanding of the societal security culture in the Baltic Sea Region
risk management
crisis management and crisis diagnosis as well as theoretical and analytical tools for managing societal security
resilience