Whereas ICME 07 was focussed at '…bringing together, for a short joint exercise, senior representatives of those organisations, governmental and non-governmental, national and international, that may find themselves alongside each other during crises and conflict in order that their organisations are better prepared for future operations', ICME 08 was a joint Anglo-Dutch event focussed on providing a forum for the mutual exchange between the two countries of ideas and best practice in the management of international conflicts.  As a backdrop to the event, the Dutch had recently formed their Fragile States Unit (FSU), which has a similar mandate to the UK’s Stabilisation Unit (SU), and were keen to learn from the UK’s experiences. 

The exercise gamed a series of overlapping crises in a fictional former West African colony.  The Anglo-Dutch delegates were supported by an international panel of experts with hands-on experience, co-chaired by the former SRSG and Force Commander for Sudan, Professor Jan Pronk and Lieutenant General Jasbir Singh Lidder Indian Army.  All in all, the aim of the exercise was achieved.  As a result of the feedback received from participants, we look to holding a similar event around mid-September next year; although it is intended to return to a multi-national approach.