Un planning parfait: visite de la gorge de l’Aar, terminée juste à temps pour prendre le train vers Meiringen, monter avec le funiculaire au Reichenbachfall, puis à pied jusqu’à Zwirgli, où nous attrapons à la minute près le car postal pour Rosenlaui. Le tout calmement, sans oublier le café et les photos.
Visite du Centre-Nature BirdLife de La Sauge.
Malgré une longue attente, les martin-pêcheurs ne se montrent pas. Avant de sortir du centre, nous entendons une grenouille coasser avec un cri très aigu. Une couleuvre essaye de la manger. Après une brève résistance, pendant laquelle on s’attend à voir le batracien s’échapper (mais c’était une tactique de la couleuvre pour mieux avaller les pattes arrières), le combat s’achève. Le serpent avale rapidement sa proie. Son ventre gonflé rappelle des dessin de Gary Larson. Il traverse la mare et se déplace pour finalement se cacher dans les herbes.
Visite de la cascade de Chavanettes (à revoir sans la foule), puis petit tour de la ville de Rue. Conclusion autour d’une galette et d’une crêpe auprès de l’excellent Entre Terre et Mer.
![[REPOST] – Symposium « War in Europe: Global Perspectives for Military Leaders »](https://christianbuehlmann.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1686149977630-900x599.jpg "[REPOST] – Symposium « War in Europe: Global Perspectives for Military Leaders »")
Yesterday, the GCSP organized a symposium entitled « War in Europe: Global Perspectives for Military Leaders » at the Swiss Armed Forces Military Caserne in #Bern under the leadership of Tobias Vestner, Maréva Roduit and Christian Bühlmann. 85 general staff officers were offered strategic viewpoints and insights into the implications of #war.
In their introductory remarks, Ambassador Thomas Greminger and Lieutenant General Thomas Suessli presented the key points of the war and outlined the general implications from a #Swiss and global perspective. Ambassador Thomas Greminger explained the possible scenarios for the future and presented the necessary elements for rebuilding European #security, such as restoring #trust, military risk reduction and the transformation of « In-between countries » into « Bridge countries ». A panel of experts then discussed the geopolitical implications of the conflict for Europe (Ambassador Thomas Greminger), China, Russia, the United States (Neil Melvin) and the Global South (Ambassador Yvette Stevens), and how these countries are repositioning themselves in the international order.
In interactive workshops, our GCSP experts discussed the future challenges that could arise in terms of #defense postures, modern #warfare and non-military security threats to global security. Dr. Jamie Shea explained how NATO is taking a step backwards towards collective defense, and how the EU is moving forward with #coordination and consolidation of synergies. Jean-Marc Rickli demonstrated the exponential nature of emerging technologies and how their convergence should lead us to greater foresight, #resilience and polymath thinking. Finally, Christina Schori Liang highlighted the considerable influence of non-state actors on the balance of #power and international public opinion.
The symposium led to fruitful discussions between global experts and Swiss military leaders.
A couple of musicians from the Musikkollegium Winterthur visited classes in Winterthur schools to introduce children to classical music. With class UST 7 from the Michaelschule, the programme ended with the animation of fish drawn by the schoolchildren, to the sound of French Composer Camille Saint-Saens‘ Aquarium from The Carnival of the Animals.
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Today, students from the Centre for International Studies and Diplomacy (CISD) from the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London, came to the GCSP. The CISD runs a Master in Global Diplomacy ; each year, they come to Geneva to visit various Inter-governmental Organizations and Think Tanks, such as the GCSP.
I introduced International Geneva and the GCSP and I enjoyed the interaction with the very reactive participants. My presentation is available below.
Yesterday, I attended to the « GCSP Symposium for Swiss General Staff Officers – War in Europe: Global Perspectives for Military Leaders ». This event was well organized and brought a many insights on which I will come back soon.
