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[REPOST- GCSP] A Delegation from the Ministry of Unification of South Korea visited the GCSP on 31 May

The participants stressed the crucial role of the US-North Korea Summit (scheduled in principle on 12 June) and progress on the nuclear issue for the prospects of peace and normalization over the Korean Peninsula. They also looked at the current developments in the North-South interactions, such as the high level dialogue established by the April 27 Declaration, and the various areas of cooperation that could be considered once a peace process will possibly be set on track. Recognizing that the current diplomatic initiatives represent a turning point in the Korean Peninsula, the participants welcomed the commitments of the leaders of the US and North Korea towards meaningful negotiations.

Representatives of the Ministry of Unification and GCSP also explored the potential of cooperation between the two institutions.

This visit takes place in the framework of the GCSP policy of promoting dialogue on the Korean Peninsula.

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[REPOST – EVENT] Birds as Peacemakers in Conflict Areas Barn Owls in Jordan – Israeli Peace Process

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  • “Barn Owls Know no Boundaries” project brings people from Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority to work together on solving an environmental challenge. Such nature conservation efforts are beneficial for all communities. More often than not, these benefits go beyond biodiversity protection. Indeed, they may facilitate constructive dialog across divides in conflict zones. This pleads for the integration of nature conservation into peacebuilding interventions.

    This event will present multiple approaches used in cross-border projects around the theme of nature conservation in the Middle East. These projects promote people-to-people activities using science, diplomacy and sport, and education, art and ecotourism as linking elements. The strength of this approach is that the projects are implemented in interaction with local actors (e.g. schools, farmers), universities, national leaders (politicians, economic leaders, non-governmental organisations) and the international community.

    This event is jointly organised by University of Lausanne (UNIL), Tel Aviv University, and the Amman Center for Peace & Development. It will bring together experts explaining the unique case study of how cooperation on biodiversity protection can impact a peace process.

    The panellists include:

  •     General Mansour Abu Rashid, chairman of the Amman Centre for Peace and Development, mandated by his Majesty King Hussein to prepare the peace treaty between Jordan and Israel in 1994.
  •     General Baruch Spiegel, mandated by the late Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin to prepare the peace treaty between Jordan and Israel in 1994.
  •     Professor Yossi Leshem from Tel Aviv University.
  •     Professor Alexandre Roulin from the University of Lausanne
      The discussion will be chaired by:
    Ms Anna Brach, Human Security Cluster Responsible.
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[REPOST] Visit of the Director-General of the Research Institute of KNDU (South Korea) in GCSP on 25 May

The discussions addressed the issues of denuclearization and build-up of a peace regime on the Korean Peninsula, against the background of renew uncertainties regarding the holding of a Summit meeting between the two leaders, Donald Trump and Kim Jong-Un, planned in June in Singapore, which could pave the way to a negotiated solution of the nuclear issue and a lasting peace over the Korean Peninsula.

Among various issues, the participants examined the respective roles and interests of the regional powers, the significance and meaning of the North Korean peace initiative, and the merits and limits of the various strategies aimed at solving the nuclear issue and advancing peace on the Korean Peninsula. The participants recognized the importance of the current diplomatic developments and the value of the efforts by the South Korean leadership and President Moon to facilitate dialogue and understanding between the DPRK and the US.

This visit takes place in the framework of the GCSP policy of promoting dialogue on the Korean Peninsula.

Source: GCSP

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[REPOST] Confidence Building Measures Seminar between GCSP and the Institute for Disarmament and Peace from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, DPRK

It was held in the context of the current opening dynamic between the DPRK, the US and the Republic of Korea. This seminar allowed the participants to better understand the different perspectives and to clarify possible outcomes. In an informal and open setting, this track 1.5 meeting, supported by MFAs from both sides, was very successful. The meeting offered Switzerland the opportunity to reassert its support for a peaceful diplomatic process in the region. All participants favour the continuation and consolidation of the CBM process in close future.

 

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[REPOST – gcsp.ch] GCSP’s 22nd European Security Course (ESC) successfully closes

The participants originated from ministries of foreign affairs, defence, interior and civil society from countries in wider Europe, the Caucasus, Central Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, South and East Asia with Sri Lanka and Botswana represented for the first time.

The ceremony included remarks by GCSP Director Ambassador Christian Dussey, the Course Director Ms Anna Brach and statements by the course spokespersons.

The ESC is designed to deepen the participants’ understanding of the security policy challenges relative to Europe. The course examines European security within a regional and global context thus better assessing the interconnectedness of transnational threats and responses. The ESC places equal importance on the study of substantive issues, skills enhancement and the development of a community of security policy professionals among the participants.

We wish the graduates of the 22nd ESC 2018 continued success in their future endeavours, and look forward to our continued relationship with them through the GCSP Alumni Network and events.

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Nouvelle publication: « La stratégie en transformation – Conférence de Martin van Creveld au GCSP »

Le professeur Martin van Creveld, historien militaire prolifique et stratégiste réputé, a visité le Centre de Politique de Sécurité de Genève (GCSP) le 12 février 2018. Il a donné une conférence sur le thème de « la transformation de la stratégie dans le turbulent 21ème siècle », en référence proclamée à son plus célèbre ouvrage, The Transformation of War. Publié juste après la seconde guerre du Golfe, ce livre présageait la fin des guerres trinitaires et anticipait l’émergence de conflits entre des États et des groupes armés non-étatiques.[1]

C’est à une relecture contemporaine que nous convia van Creveld. Devant une assistance acquise à son analyse, il a rappelé avec humour et de manière persuasive la persistance de sa réflexion. Il a tout d’abord souligné les dimensions pérennes de la guerre. Il a ensuite montré l’élément central de la transformation stratégique contemporaine, puis s’est attaché à décrire les conflits actuels comme non-trinitaires et intra-étatiques. En conclusion, il a questionné la capacité des démocraties libérales à s’adapter à ces changements sans perdre leur âme. Nous présentons ci-dessous les éléments centraux de son intervention particulièrement dense. La Dr Christina Liang, responsable du cluster « Terrorisme et crime organisé » au GCSP, a dirigé la discussion avec compétence.

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La section romande de la société romande des officiers de la logistique a tenu son assemblée générale au GCSP

La SSOLOG, section romande, rassemble dans un cadre convivial des officiers de milice, des officiers de carrière ainsi que d’anciens officiers. Association technique forte de plus de 350 membres, elle vise à perfectionner la formation militaire de ses membres, à les informer sur la politique de sécurité et à défendre leurs intérêts ainsi que ceux de l’armée de milice. Substrat de la société, la camaraderie permet de dépasser les différences de générations, de grades ou d’origines cantonales.

Crédits des images : photo 1 : GCSP ; Autres : T. Delapierre, SSOLOG

Le président sortant, le lieutenant-colonel EMG Jean-Baptiste Thalmann, a ouvert l’assemblée en saluant les nombreux membres. Le colonel Christian Bühlmann a souhaité la bienvenue et présenté le GCSP aux participants, intéressés et impressionnés par le cadre.

Le major EMG Bastien Wanner, bien connu au GCSP puisqu’il fut lauréat du premier Cyber 9/12 Student Challenge en 2015, fut le second orateur. Il est exprimé avec compétence sur les mesures actives de cyberdéfense dans le cadre de la protection des infrastructures critiques. Après avoir présidé la partie officielle de l’assemblée générale, le lieutenant-colonel Thalmann a transmis les rênes de la société au nouveau président élu, le lieutenant-colonel EMG Guy Strickler.

Le commandant de corps Rebord a finalement présenté son appréciation de la situation actuelle de l’armée, en mettant l’accent sur les chances et les défis qui se posent à cette institution.

A l’issue de la partie officielle, les participants ont partagé un cocktail dînatoire dans la bibliothèque du GCSP. Plusieurs d’entre eux ont manifesté un intérêt pour les activités du centre et se sont fait forts d’y retourner pour suivre un cours ou une conférence.

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[REPOST] La 72ème réunion des entrepreneurs genevois au GCSP autour du thème « Situation politico-économique des riverains de la mer Noire et perceptions russes »

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Le Conseiller d’Etat M. Pierre Maudet a souligné les efforts du GCSP au sein de la communauté internationale. Il a notamment abordé les menaces sécuritaires actuelles à Genève, en soulignant les futurs défis à venir dans les domaines de la cyber sécurité et de la protection des données. Il a notamment mentionné sa future rencontre avec le Coordinateur européen de la lutte contre le terrorisme, M. Gilles de Kerchove, présent à Genève ce soir-là.

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Notre experte et cheffe adjointe du programme Regional Perspectives, Mme Alexandra Matas a présenté les tendances géopolitiques actuelles autour de la mer Noire d’un point de vue russe. Une séance de questions-réponses interactive a été modérée par le rédacteur en chef du journal Le Monde économique, M. Thierry Dime. L’approche unique de ce thème a soulevé des réflexions critiques parmi l’audience fortement intéressée par le sujet.

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Conférence de Martin van Creveld au GCSP

Devant une assistance nourrie, acquise à son analyse, il a rappelé avec humour et de manière persuasive la permanence de sa réflexion. Articulant une réflexion en plusieurs points, il a tout d’abord rappelé les dimensions constantes de la guerre. Il a ensuite montré l’élément majeur qui a transformé la stratégie contemporaine, puis s’est attaché à décrire les conflits actuels comme non-trinitaires et intraétatiques. En conclusion, il a questionné la capacité des démocraties libérales à s’adapter à ces changements sans perdre leur âme.

 

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[REPOST] GCSP Welcomes Diplomats from Iraq

The course covers different issues including:

  • The role, rights, and obligations of the international community
  • Migration: opportunities and security challenges
  • International migration law
  • Refugee law
  • Comparing federal and decentralized systems
  • Swiss federalism
  • Threats to human security
  • Good governance
  • The role of the judicial, executive and legislative powers
  • National dialogue, political thought and counter-narrative
  • Gender and Security
  • The role of civil society

I am impressed by the knowledge and the expertise of our Iraqi guests. During classes, they ask insightful questions, challenge the lecturers and connect the new knowledge with their previous experience. I appreciated working with them and look forward to seeing how they will contribute to foster peace, stability and security in their country.
Colonel Christian Bühlmann, Head of the Regional Perspectives Programme

The two highlights of the week for participants include a presentation on the ‘Introduction to Switzerland’ by Colonel Christian Bühlmann, and the visit of Palais Eynard. ‘Introduction to Switzerland’, presented the diplomats with Swiss food and drink products following an interactive session to learn more about Swiss culture and the history of federalism in the country.

Colonel Christian Bühlmann, Head of Regional Perspectives Programme, reflected, ‘I am impressed by the knowledge and the expertise of our Iraqi guests. During classes, they ask insightful questions, challenge the lecturers and connect the new knowledge with their previous experience. I appreciated working with them and look forward to seeing how they will contribute to foster peace, stability and security in their country.’

During the Palais Eynard visit, the course participants learned about the city of Geneva through a presentation by M. Steve Bernard, Head of the Service of External Relations. The participants also had the opportunity to meet Geneva’s Mayor Pagani and ask him questions about good governance in Geneva.

 

 

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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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«Avec des bombes atomiques jusqu’à Moscou» – Conférence au Club du Lundi, Genève, 20 novembre 2017

L’idée que la Suisse, pays neutre, dépositaire des Conventions de Genève, ait pu chercher à développer une bombe atomique, peut apparaître insolite. Et pourtant, pendant la Guerre froide, la Confédération a effectivement lancé un programme militaire secret de recherches nucléaires. La conférence met en lumière les raisons principales pour lesquelles la Suisse a cherché à s’équiper de cette arme, les motifs qui l’ont finalement incitée à signer le Traité sur la non-prolifération des armes nucléaires (TNP), puis contraste le développement suisse de l’époque avec celui, contemporain, des pays proliférants.

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Contribution à « Sicherheit – Die Schweiz in einer unsicheren Welt »

J’ai contribué à l’ouvrage Sicherheit – Die Schweiz in einer unsicheren Welt édité par Hans-Christof Schregenberger, Thomas Sprecher, Heinz Spross et Robert Zingg. Mon article, intitulé « La contribution du GCSP au rayonnement international de l’armée suisse », traite de l’apport du GCSP au «soft power» suisse. Je montre comment les militaires suisses y sont formés et par quels apports le centre contribue à l’impact international de l’armée.

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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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