The Cultural Affairs and Information Section (CAI) is the knowledge institute within the Dutch armed forces when it comes to socio-cultural expertise of (potential) mission areas. In addition, the section provides advice on the protection of cultural heritage in the event of armed conflicts (national and expeditionary). The term 'socio-cultural' refers to the system of factors that determines how ideas, opinions and behaviours come about in a given society. It thus encompasses more than just 'culture' in the more general sense. Important elements here include history, but also, for example, the internal structure of a state and the economy. The Section gathers its knowledge through the study of scientific sources, but also uses numerous other methods and techniques, ranging from qualitative interviews with experts to social media analysis. The Section strives to ensure that the socio-cultural dimension is given an integral role in the action of the armed forces: at the policy, strategic and operational levels. Numerous examples in military history, especially recent ones, demonstrate the importance of this. The section's tasks are: - conducting research and analysis; - providing cultural, communication and scenario training; - providing solicited and unsolicited advice to various stakeholders within and outside the Ministry of Defence; - facilitating cooperation and the exchange of knowledge with various (military) target groups, (international) defence schools, ministries, universities and universities of applied sciences; - acting, on behalf of defence, as a point of contact with regard to the protection of cultural heritage in addition to providing advice and support in this area, and - providing internship opportunities for students from various universities and colleges of higher education, partly with the aim of attracting new talent to the defence organisation in the broadest sense.
