SCESAL 
Networking, cooperation, and co-creation are considered keys for the development of actions and capacity. Accordingly, the Security Academy (SA) wants to strengthen and widen its networks and collaboration.
This is also due to the expectations set for SA in the Twinning project “Strengthening the capacities and efficiency of the Security Academy, Albania”. The launch of the project emerged from the commitments set by the Albanian Government concerning Justice and Home Affairs policies and to the EU integration process. These include expectations for the consolidation of the rule of law and the functioning of the police and other law enforcement bodies and their capacities.
The activity of mapping and analyzing the current situation in Security Academy’s cooperation incorporated people from different organizations and countries: Security Academy, Ministry of Interior, State Police Directorate, European Union Law Enforcement Agency, Police Academy Danilovgrad in Montenegro and Kosovo Academy for Public Safety. Furthermore, it involved the Finnish and Estonian Twinning project partners Police University College, JAMK University of Applied Sciences, and Estonian Academy of Security Sciences.
After studying rich documentation and having interviews with Security Academy’s personnel and its stakeholders, the current status of the Academy’s cooperation and networks began to draw.
At present, the domestic network includes seven key partners, and the Security Academy has altogether eight cooperation agreements with international organisations. In particular, concerning working in international networks the issues of human resources, such as language and project skills, were seen as very important. Also, to be able to collaborate financial resources are needed.
The results of the mapping analysis will be utilized in the forthcoming project activities, in which concrete steps for improving the inter-institutional cooperation will be taken. Accordingly, this project for its part contributes to strengthening European networking in SA, and simultaneously it is an example of joint development, exchange of information and experiences, sharing of common interests, and learning together.
Text: Irmeli Maunonen-Eskelinen, JAMK University of Applied Sciences, Finland.
Photos: Markku Rissanen, JAMK University of Applied Sciences, Finland.
