Thursday, 21 May 2020, marks the United Nations’ World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. This year raises the question: why does cultural diversity matter? Col (GS) Christian Bühlmann, GCSP’s Head of Diplomatic Dialogue, shares his experience of learning about and understanding cultural differences in order to succeed in his work.

On 27 August, the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) hosted 30 staff members from the Finnish National Defence University Postgraduate Programme (FNDU). They were welcomed by Colonel (GS) Christian Bühlmann, Head of Diplomatic Dialogue, as well as Mr Alexander Jahns and Ms Natalie McNally, both Junior Programme Officers at the GCSP.

The GCSP hosted a new round of security dialogue with the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security (IFANS), affiliated to the Foreign Ministry of the Republic of Korea, on 9 July 2019 in Geneva. Both institutions have been holding a security dialogue for several years, alternatively in Geneva and Seoul, in line with the GCSP policy of promoting dialogue with all Korean actors, from the South and the North of the Peninsula.

This one week-long course is aimed at Swiss professional (regular) colonels attending the Weiterausbildungslehrgang 2 (WAL 2). GCSP provided expert training on international. The course was directed by Colonel (GS) Christian Bühlmann, Head of Diplomatic Dialogue and coordinated by Mr Thierry Randon.

The objective of the course was a transfer of knowledge. Through lectures, exercises and visits, the participants were able to broaden their understanding of international security issues. A special emphasis was put on current topics, as well as on global and regional security challenges.

Lieutenant General Esa Pulkkinen, Director General of the EU Military Staff (EUMS), payed a visit to the GCSP. In an engaging speech held in front of more than forty course participants, fellows and staff members, General Pulkkinen stressed the importance of values as the fundamental core of EU security and further underlined the importance of the GCSP in launching his international career.