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[REPOST] Second Alumni Reception in Colombo

In spite of the evening traffic around Colombo, fifteen former GCSP participants gathered at picturesque Mount Lavinia, overlooking the lights of the capital. Alumni from the first defence attaché course in Sri Lanka met colleagues who attended classes in Switzerland. Everyone described the Centre’s education as a very positive experience. Many emphasized that they have gotten more skilled in understanding global challenges. “My training at the GCSP taught me how to think strategically, at a higher level”, summarized a Sri Lankan military officer.

The alumni came from different Sri Lankan ministries, and NGOs. A couple of diplomats, among them a head of mission, as well as defence attachés, offered an external perspective. Colonel (GS) Christian Bühlmann, Head of the Regional Perspectives Programme, Mr Thierry Randon, Senior Programme Officer, as well as Colonel (GS, retd) André Zumstein, Course Director for the Second Defence Attaché Course in Colombo, represented the GCSP.

Reposted from GCSP website

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[REPOST] Workshop on Cooperation Prospects in Institutional Reform and Restoring Stability in Syria

The workshop brought together 35 experts, researchers and officials from the US, Russia, Germany, the UK, France, Australia, Switzerland, and Syria. The participants gathered for two days to exchange views on stability in post-war Syria.

The vibrant discussions focused on the place of Syria in the West-Russia global power contest; institutional reforms within the political transition; prospects of cooperation on reconstruction; de-radicalization and counter-terrorism; and disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR).

The workshop is part of the Syria and Global Security project, jointly run by the GCSP and the Omran Centre for Strategic Studies. It is an initiative to offer a platform for collective informed discussions on Syria that eventually could build bridges between experts and researchers in order to bring peace and security to Syria, and region.

 

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[REPOST] Swiss professional officers at the GCSP and Brussels gather for one-week course on international security

From 25 to 29 September 2017, the GCSP welcomed a group of Brigadier Generals and Colonels superior and general Swiss military officers in Geneva and Brussels. This module was organised in collaboration with Mission of Switzerland to NATO, the Embassy of Switzerland to EU, the embassy of Switzerland to the Kingdom of Belgium, and with the efficient support from the Belgian Royal Higher Institute for Defence at the Royal Military Academy in Brussels.

The participants discussed the Swiss Armed Forces International Relations and its multilateral and bilateral instruments. In Brussels, they were briefed on the Swiss relationships with NATO, on NATO HQ and SHAPE activities, on the EU Security and Defence Policy, and on the current Belgian Defence Policy and Capability developments. The lecturers were challenged by the participants in critical, yet fair and sensible, question and answer phases.

Among many high-quality speakers, the participants had the honour and the pleasure to hear and interact with the Director General of the EU Military Staff, Lieutenant General Esa Pulkkinen. An alumnus of the GCSP’s 10th International Training Course (ITC, the precursor of the Leadership in International Security Course – LISC), General Pulkkinen highlighted the importance of the GCSP training for his international Career.

Under the supervision of Director MILAK, Brigadier General Peter C. Stocker, the participants will continue their training in Birmensdorf, Kriens, and Berne.

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[REPOST] Semaine de la démocratie : ‘Future leaders’ débattent au GCSP

 

La semaine de la démocratie « vise à célébrer la démocratie en rendant ses institutions et son fonctionnement plus proches encore des habitant-e-s de ce canton. De manière générale, elle crée des moments de réflexions et d’échanges entre les institutions politiques genevoises et les citoyens-ne-s, avec la perspective de renouveler et d’élargir la participation démocratique. »

Le 20 septembre, le GCSP a organisé un débat autour de la motion « La sécurité des États autoritaires est meilleure que celle des États démocratiques ». 24 écoliers secondaires ont participé activement à ce débat. Le directeur du programme de perspectives régionales, le colonel EMG Christian Bühlmann, a présenté le centre et expliqué les aspects fondamentaux de la discussion. Madame Alexandra Matas, responsable du cluster « gouvernance effective », a introduit la question et mené le débat. Le Dr Jean-Marc Rickli, responsable du cluster Risque global et résilience, ainsi que Monsieur Tobias Vestner, responsable du cluster Sécurité et Droit, ont présenté chacun les arguments pour et contre la motion. Les participants ont eu la possibilité de questionner les arguments des conférenciers et d’échanger leurs points de vue sur les questions du droit international, de la séparation des pouvoirs ainsi que sur les conditions économiques et sécuritaires dans les régimes démocratiques et autoritaires.

Au vote final, la majorité des participants est confiante que « la sécurité des États démocratiques  est meilleure que celle des États autoritaires.» 

 

Liens externes

Site de la semaine de la démocratie


BCN-Semaine_de_la_democratie-Introduction.pdf
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[REPOST] Chiefs of the Armed Forces of Germany, Austria and Switzerland visit the GCSP

On this occasion, GCSP Director Ambassador Christian Dussey, Ms Victoria Walker from DCAF, as well as Mr Pascal Rapillard and Lt Col Lobert from GICHD presented their respective centres. They answered questions about ongoing activities, current challenges and future developments. 

The meeting was held against the background of a longstanding military cooperation and exchange between Austria, Germany and Switzerland, which is also reflected in their common interest and active support of the GCSP, GICHD and DCAF.

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[REPOST] Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre Delegation Visits the GCSP

 

Both institutions are increasing their working relationship. The KAIPTC was invited to benefit the mutual collaboration between the centres, and in order to plan a roadmap for future development of the partnership.GCSP Director Ambassador Christian Dussey Acting Deputy Director, Head of the Regional Development Programme Colonel (GS) Christian Bühlmann, and Head of the Leadership, Crisis and Conflict Management Programme Carl Ungerer briefed the delegation on the GCSP’s institutional developments, while Dr Kotia and Ms Horname Noagbesenu presented the KAIPTC’s developments and future courses. The meeting took place in a convivial atmosphere and set the tone for the future of the collaboration between the centres.

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[REPOST] Closing Ceremony of the Defense Attaché Orientation Course

 The PSOTC and the Geneva Center for Security Policy (GCSP) continue mutual cooperation based on their common interest in education and training excellence in the training of military officers, diplomats and civil servants involved in defense and diplomacy. Altogether 27 participants from thirteen countries (Albania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Egypt, Latvia, Macedonia, Mauritania, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina) attended the course. During the course, participants had an opportunity to develop their skills and expertise of defense officials working in a diplomatic environment (such as Defense Attachés). The Course addressed modern issues and offered an opportunity to get an insight into contemporary security and geopolitical landscape with special focus on security issues related to the Balkans. Also, participants were provided with practical training in diplomatic activities as well as other areas relevant for their future work. Course participants were honored by being lectured by current and former ambassadors, ministers, defense attachés, embassy representatives, representatives of IOs, and professors from universities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as representatives of GCSP and PSOTC. At the closing ceremony participants were addressed by GCSP Representative COL GS Christian Buhlmann and PSOTC Commandant, COL dr. Jasmin Čajić who congratulated the students and used this opportunity to express their support to the current course and all similar activities whose goal is to reinforce the role of military attaches deployed around the globe.

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[REPOST] PSOTC Hosted guest speakers on Defence Attaché Course at PSOTC

 The Ambassador of Croatia to Bosnia and Herzegovina H. E. Mr. Ivan Del Vecio accompanied by the Defence Attaché Col Marin Gregorović, the Deputy Chief of Mission, US Embassy in Bosnia and Herzegovina Mr. Paul Horowitz accompanied by the Defence Attaché Col Mark M. Karas and Representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Damir Džanko took part of a Panel: “What Can/Does the Ambassador Expect from his/her Defence Attaché?”. During panel session Ambassadors shared their significant experiences with participants with an emphasis on the new role of the Defence Attaché because changes in the security environment since the end of the Cold War have made the DA’s role considerably more challenging and given him/her a key role in national defence diplomacy. The PSOTC Commandant, Colonel dr. Jasmin Čajić expressed his gratitude to the guests for their commitment what additionally contributes to preserve reputation of the PSOTC as a respected institution for training and education.

 

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[REPOST] GCSP Hosts the 13th Edition of its Defence Attaché Orientation Course in Geneva

 Participants will discuss how to help create a secure, stable and prosperous international and regional environment, by building and maintaining trust between friendly armed forces and countries. This edition of the course focuses specifically on achieving an impact in complex environments, sharing best practices for dealing with rapid changes and for working with other national and international actors. These sessions will be balanced with discussions on participants’ daily challenges and relevant experiences, in order to share lessons learned. Participants will visit a training camp of an artillery unit here in Switzerland as part of the course activities.

The GCSP delivers similar courses around the world every year, through their Defence and Diplomacy thematic cluster. Topics are tailored for regional interests in the Western Balkans, West Africa including the Maghreb, East Africa, the Middle East, and now a new course recently launched for South and South-East Asia. Courses are held in French or English, and dev eloped through close collaboration between the GCSP and our international and local partner organisations, as well as the local attaché community.

>> Learn more about our Defence Attaché Orientation Courses

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The National Defence University Delegation Visits the GCSP

The discussion took part in a very friendly atmosphere. Both parties focused on a roadmap for a future partnership. They agreed on subjects of mutual interests to collaborate in the field of education.

GCSP Director, Ambassador Christian Dussey and Colonel (GS) Christian Bühlmann, Head of the regional Development Programme, briefed the Pakistani delegation on the centre’s institutional developments, while Major General Qammar and Brigadier Asim Ali Qureshi presented the National Defence University and its courses.