On 24th June 2021 EUFOR Commander, Major General Alexander Platzer and NATO Commander, Brigadier General Eric Folkestad briefed students of the Defence Attaché Orientation course in the PSOTC.

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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.

At @Geneva Centre for Security Policy, our virtual learning journeys are designed to align learning with impact. In 2021, learn new tools, put knowledge into action and practice key skills. #LearnWithGCSP today! https://bit.ly/34seqQJ

Nos parcours d’apprentissage virtuels sont conçus pour mettre en parallèle apprentissage et impact. En 2021, maîtrisez de nouveaux outils, mettez vos connaissances en pratique et utilisez des compétences clés. Commencez dès aujourd’hui !

#MyLearningJourney #ExecutiveEducation

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.

Today, 25th June 2021, the Peace Support Operations Training Centre in cooperation with the Geneva Centre for Security Policy successfully completed 9th Defence Attaché Orientation Course in Defence and Diplomacy. Structure of participants and speakers presents the highest standards of education delivered during one week of the course. In total, 24 participants, defence attaches and defence diplomacy trainees, from 10 countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Albania, Bulgaria, Pakistan, Romania, Russia, North Macedonia, Slovakia, Slovenia and United States). Besides PSOTC and GCSP staff, participants had a privilege of having such a group of high level of speakers, the US, British and Swiss ambassadors, NATO HQ SA and EUFOR commanders as well current resident and non-resident defence attaches.

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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.

Présentation au Château de Chillon d'une conférence sur la manière de mieux gérer les différences culturelles. Une assistance intéressée a posé de nombreuses questions et soulevé des problèmes liés à des différences de perception.

The GCSP welcomed, on 6 May 2019, a Delegation from the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences (SASS), led by Prof. Liu Ming, to discuss recent geopolitical developments at global level. In a first part, the meeting focused on the triangular relationships between China, the US and Europe and the evolving posture of these actors in the light of increasing power competition.

On 20 November 2018, the GSCP hosted a VIP lunch in honour of Dr Mohamed ElBaradei, former Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from 1997 to 2009, and winner of the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize. Dr ElBaradei shared with the guests his experience and lessons learned from his career, in particular in dealing with the cases of Iraq, Iran, and North Korea. He stressed the importance of international dialogue and mutual respect. He identified insecurity and inequality as the main reasons behind today’s crises, fuelled by power politics, the danger of nuclear war, persistence of poverty and hunger as well as human rights violations.

On Thursday, November, 8th, the Defence Attaché (DA) course in Amman came to a conclusion after a closing ceremony. 29 participants from 14 countries were awarded a course certificate from the hands of the Royal Jordanian National Defence College (RJNDC) commandant, Brigadier General Abdallah Al Shdaifat and General (Retd) André Blattmann, former Chief of the Swiss Armed Forces.

As a practical part of the 12th Defence Attaché course in Amman, participants visited the Zaatari Refugees Camp as part of a simulated DA tour.

Sunday, November 4th, 29 participants from 14 countries attended the opening ceremony for the 12th GCSP’s orientation course for military officers, diplomats and senior officials involved in defence and diplomacy at the Royal Jordanian National Defence College (RJNDC) in Amman. 

On Friday 12 October, the Geneva Centre for Security Policy hosted the 1st U.S Think Tanks Tour of Switzerland for a roundtable entitled “Transatlantic Relations and the Geostrategic Impact of New Technologies”.

On September 27th, the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP), in conjunction with the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea, hosted a closed-door Roundtable on the situation on the Korean Peninsula. A dozen of high level participants, amongst them several Permanent Representatives to the UN Conference on Disarmament, as well as Ms. Micheline Calmy- Rey, Former Swiss Foreign Minister, attended this meeting. The positive developments in the Korean Peninsula, as well as the enduring challenges, were discussed.

Depuis plus d’une décennie, le GCSP entretient des liens fructueux avec les Forces Armées du Sénégal, notamment avec le Centre des Hautes Études de Défense et de Sécurité (CHEDS) de Dakar créé en 2014. En particulier, depuis 2009, le GCSP organise chaque année à Dakar des cours destinés aux Attachés de défense et hauts fonctionnaires de l’Afrique de l’Ouest actifs dans le domaine de la politique de sécurité et la diplomatie.
Après avoir accueilli le Général de brigade Paul NDIAYE, Directeur du CHEDS, en août 2016, le GCSP avait l’honneur et le grand plaisir de recevoir en ce début de septembre 2018 le Général de Corps d’armée Cheikh GUEYE, Chef d’Etat-Major général des Armées (CEMGA) du Sénégal, accompagné de son aide de camp et d’un officier supérieur.

The Seventh Zermatt Roundtable on Current Security Issues in North East Asia was held from September 17^th to 19^th, in Glion/Montreux, Switzerland. Some 40 participants – experts from think tanks and academia, as well as government representatives – from China, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), the European Union (EU), Japan, Mongolia, the Republic of Korea (ROK), the Russian Federation, the United States of America (USA) and Switzerland gathered for this annual event.

A discussion between the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) and the Chinese Institute for International Strategic Studies (CIISS)

On Sunday, August the 26nd, I contributed to the opening of CENTROC, a course for LEGAD organised by the Swiss Armerd Forces. I presented once again Switzerland using a circuit training methodology.

Lieutenant General Jan Broeks, Director General of the NATO International Military Staff (DGIMS), concluded a short stay in Switzerland with a visit to the Maison de la Paix. GCSP, GICHD and DCAF presented their contributions to NATO, which happen mainly through the Partnership for Peace (PfP) programme.

A group of Russian students visited the GCSP on Tuesday, July 26^th. Colonel (GS) Christian Bühlmann, Head of the Regional Perspectives Programme, presented them the GCSP and the history of International Geneva. The students were interested and enthusiastic. They asked very pertinent questions.

Un reportage dans Notre Armée de Milice (NAM) de juin 2018 sur la visite du NATO Defence College au GCSP.

Transformative Journeys to Create a Safer World - The Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) proudly presents its 2017 Annual Report

Plus de 200 étudiants ont participé le 20 juin 2018 à l’événement Bâtisseurs de paix, organisé à la Maison de la paix. Dans ce cadre, le GCSP a invité une classe à participer à un atelier sur le thème de la diplomatie scientifique et de la promotion de la paix dans des régions en conflit. La protection de l’environnement permet d’amener des populations antagonistes à travailler ensemble pour protéger leur cadre de vie commun et soutenir ainsi le processus de paix. Source

On Friday, 22 June, the GCSP and the Permanent Mission of Georgia jointly organised an Executive Breakfast Discussion with H.E. Mr David Dondua, Georgia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Head of the Georgian Delegation to the Geneva International Discussions on the Russia-Georgia conflict. The aim of this Executive Breakfast Discussion was to provide an update on the current situation in Georgia’s contested territories, the current dynamics of the Geneva International Discussions (GID), and the steps undertaken by the Georgian Government in the field of conflict resolution. [It was moderated by Col Christian Bühlmann, Head of the Regional Perspectives Programme.]

The ‘Barn Owls Know No Boundaries’ project brings people from Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority to work together on solving environmental challenges. Nature conservation efforts, such as this one, are beneficial for all communities. More often than not, these benefits go beyond just biodiversity protection. Indeed, they may facilitate constructive dialogue across divides in conflict zones and perhaps even integrate nature conservation into peacebuilding interventions.

A Delegation led by the Director-General of the Research Institute for National Security Affairs (RINSA) of the Korea National Defense University (KNDU), Prof. Young Ho Kim, visited GCSP on 25 May, for a round of Strategic Talks focused on recent diplomatic developments on the Korean Peninsula and prospects of US-North Korean Summit in June.

Following two previous meeting, the GCSP and the Institute for Disarmament and Peace (IDP) from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), held the third round of their Confidence Building Measures (CBM) Seminar last week in Switzerland.

The 22nd European Security Course came to a close on 28 March 2018. It had begun on 6 February 2018, welcoming 21 participants from 20 countries for 8 weeks.

The NATO Defence College (NDC), located in Rome, Italy, ‘contributes to the effectiveness and cohesion of the (NATO) Alliance by developing its role as a major centre of education, outreach and research on transatlantic security issues.’ It ‘provides senior-level education and brings together senior-level military and civilian officials to interact on NATO issues.’ As part of the field study for NDC’s main course (Senior Course 132), Regional Approaches and Partnerships for Peace (PfP), students visited London, and Paris. The travelled then to Switzerland, a long-standing and very active member of the PfP. Upon their arrival in Geneva, on 27 March, the group went to the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) to receive briefings on International Geneva, the Swiss centres and on the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).The group was led by Brigadier General David Pincet, French Air Force, Head of the Academic Operations Division at NDC.

14th Orientation Course for Defence Attachés and Senior Officials successfully closes in Geneva.

The Defence Attaché Course (Geneva) is an interactive course organised by the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP). The missions of a Defence Attaché are constantly evolving. This course aims to develop the skills and expertise of defence officials working in a multilateral, multicultural environment within the field of international security. This is done through practical training in national and international procedures as well as other areas relevant for their future work.

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‘Few know the story of the Polish General Tadeusz Kosciuszko, who fought for freedom on both sides of the Atlantic and gave Thomas Jefferson his fortune in America to free African slaves.’ 

On 2 March 2018, the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) hosted a public discussion on the extraordinary life and deeds of Gen. Tadeusz Kosciuszko, a Polish military engineer, statesman and military leader, who not only became a national hero in his own country, but also played a pivotal role in the War of Independence and advocated for the manumission of African slaves in the United States.

Conceived by GCSP Executive-in-Residence, Adam Koniuszewski and hosted by RTS Switzerland news anchor Darius Rochebin, the event was also held in recognition of the 70^th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a principle that Gen. Kosciuszko also championed, along with freedom, justice and equality for all. GCSP’s Director, Ambassador Christian Dussey gave an opening remark, followed by Adam Koniuszewski’s presentation on General Kosciuszko’s life.

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The character of war has changed forever.

On 12 February, the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) conducted a public discussion with Martin van Creveld, Professor Emeritus at the Hebrew University, Jerusalem. He shared observations on how military strategy has changed and remained constant in the new security landscape. According to van Creveld, military strategy still faces the difficulty of exercising political control over an event so fraught with emotion.  It still depends on a mixture of force and guile and has to deal with the Strapazen (stress and strain) of conflict. Uncertainty in situational awareness experienced by participants in military operations, the "fog of war" remains a factor, as does the need for leadership, organisation, discipline and cohesion. Van Creveld also stressed the continuing importance of strategic surprise and the need for quality over quantity in all aspects. 

Yet despite these constants, numerous aspects of war have changed, requiring new military strategies. Van Creveld noted the rise of air war, as well as at sea (submarine war), space war, and cyberwar, and the demise of Blitzkrieg, the introduction of new weapons and weapon systems in war raging from tanks and machine guns to Precision-Guided Munitions (PGMs).

Christian Bühlmann (2018) "La stratégie en transformation" in Revue Militaire Suisse, 1-2018, pp. 16-17. https://dx.doi.org/10.5169/seals-823316

Rapport de la conférence de Martin van Creveld au centre de politique de sécurité, Genève, le 12.2.2018.

Le 2 mars 2018, l’assemblée annuelle de la société suisse des officiers de la logistique (SSOLOG), section romande, s’est tenue au GCSP. Parmi les invités, on reconnaissait notamment le chef de l’Armée, le commandant de corps Philippe Rebord ainsi que le brigadier Guy Vallat, commandant de la formation d’application de la logistique. Le colonel d’état-major général (EMG) Christian Bühlmann, directeur du programme de perspectives régionales au GCSP, les y a accueillis.

Le suspense aura duré quelques heures. Finalement, la bonne nouvelle tombe: nous pourrons voler de la caserne des Vernets à Spiez.

Près de 80 entrepreneurs de Genève et des alentours se sont rendus au GCSP pour leur 72ème réunion avec le C.R.E.G. Son président M. Gilbert Mouron a ouvert cette réunion avec un discours de bienvenue suivi d’une brève intervention de notre chargé de mission Col (EMG) William Gargiullo quant au développement de nos activités avec le secteur privé. Notre COO Général Philippe Meyer a présenté l’étendue de nos domaines d’expertise et nos pistes de coopération avec les entreprises. Il a par la suite mentionné quelques défis majeurs auxquels le GCSP sera sans doute confronté à l’avenir dans des domaines clés de la sécurité internationale, tels que le nucléaire ou l’intelligence artificielle.

The Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) launches the 22^nd edition of the European Security Course this week.

21 participants gathered for two days to exchange views on potential trajectories of state building in Syria

From 14-26 January, the GCSP has the pleasure of hosting a delegation of thirteen diplomats from Iraq. An excellent group of diplomats, mostly employed by the Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, are attending a course on good governance and migration, organized by the GCSP in cooperation with the State Secretariat for Migration. The delegation is spending two weeks in Geneva visiting different international organizations and state institutions including the United Nations Office in Geneva, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Organisation of Migration, the City of Geneva authorities, and the Federal Authorities in Bern.

ITC 1995 Alumnus, Professor Jacek Czaputowicz has been appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland in Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki’s government.

Source:GCSP.ch

The Symposium on ‘Rising Tensions in East Asia and the Japanese Response’ was GCSP’s first public event of 2018.

The Geneva event, cohosted by the Research Institute for Peace and Security (RIPS) based in Tokyo, was held in a timely manner, just ahead of the scheduled ‘Korea Talks’ happening between North and South Korea.

Current media coverage and political debates have made diplomats, government officials, policy advisers and civil society curious about latest insights happening in the region. Panelists and speakers included experts and academics from Japan, Europe, and the United States, each providing a different perspective of the problems and solutions facing Japan and the East Asian region. Event participants were welcomed by Ambassador Christian Dussey, Director of the GCSP and Dr Masashi Nishihara, President of RIPS.

After two weeks together in the heart of international Geneva, the journey for ten diplomats has not ended but has just begun! The 2nd edition of the course on Good Governance and Migration displayed to its participants an exchange of knowledge and experience, visits to key international institutions and a tour of the best of Geneva.

An informal gathering of GCSP alumni was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka, on Wednesday, 6th December 2017 at Hotel Mount Lavinia, in Colombo.

Complementary to national training, the Office of the Chief of Defense Staff of the Armed Forces of Sri Lanka and the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GSCP) are holding an orientation course for the new Defence Attachés and Senior Officials involved in Defence, Diplomacy and international relations.

[I have participated anew to the opening ceremony of the GCSP Orientation Course for the Defence Attachés. I opened this second edition together with Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), Admiral Ravindra C. Wijegunaratne; Vice-Chancellor KDU, Rear Admiral Jagath Ranasinghe, and His Excellency Heinz Walker-Nederkoorn, Ambassador of Switzerland to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and to the Republic of Maldives.

Once again, the course, perfectly organised by the GCSP and the office of the Chief of Defense Staff (OCDS), with the support of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU), had a great start. Once again, I had the chance to meet great participants!]

SECOND ORIENTATION COURSE FOR DEFENCE ATTACHÉS COMMENCE AT KDU

Christian Bühlmann (2017) "La contribution du GCSP au rayonnement international de l’armée suisse" in Hans-Christof Schregenberger, Thomas Sprecher, Heinz Spross et Robert Zingg (Eds) Sicherheit - Die Schweiz in einer unsicheren Welt, Stämpfli Verlag AG, Bern. 2017, ISBN978-3-7272-7933-1, p. 181-185

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.

The multilateral workshop discussing the international cooperation prospects on institutional reforms necessary to restore stability in Syria took place at the GCSP on 21-22 September 2017.

Training high-potential military officers to cope with their future challenges is an important task for the Swiss Armed Forces. The new Advanced Education Training Course 3 (Weiterausbildungslehrgang 3 – WAL 3), an 8-week module organized by the Swiss Military Academy (MILAK), is part of this approach.

The GCSP has been tasked to organize a one-week segment dedicated to the international context. The course director, Colonel (GS) Christian Bühlmann, Head of the Regional Perspectives Programmes, focussed the module on International Organizations relevant to Swiss Security. He was expertly supported by Ms Mélanie Chaves.

The sixth Zermatt Roundtable on Current Security Issues in the North Pacific Region was held from 11 to13 September 2017 in Glion/Montreux, Switzerland.

My picture on the front page of the GCSP annual report. Congratulation to the photographer....

From 22-26 May 2017, participants from thirteen countries attended the Defence Attaché Course in Bosnia & Herzegovina. Twenty-seven participants representing 13 countries (Albania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Egypt, Latvia, Macedonia, Mauritania, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina) gathered at Peace Support Operations Training Centre (PSOTC).

A delegation of the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) in Ghana, led by their Deputy Commandant Brigadier General (Dr) Emmanuel Kotia, visited the GCSP on Thursday, 22 June.

PSOTC and GCSP as a joint venture conducted the Defense Attaché Orientation Course at PSOTC from 22nd to 26th May 2017.

PSOTC was privileged by having a unique opportunity to host prominent lecturers on the Defence Attaché Course being delivered and run at PSOTC on 25th May 2017.

Today, 27 participants from thirteen countries (Albania, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Egypt, Latvia, Macedonia, Mauritania, Montenegro, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina) gathered at PSOTC to attend the Defence Attaché Course which is going to take place from 22nd to 26th May 2017.

Presentation of International Geneva and The GCSP to Young Leaders from the Ukrainian Leadership Academy.

The GCSP is proud to welcome 34 Defence Officials representing 28 nations this week for the 13th edition of the Orientation Course for Defence Attachés and Senior Officials in Geneva.

A delegation of the National Defence University (NDU), Islamabad, led by Major General Ghulam Qammar, visited the GCSP on Friday, 10 February 2017

A friendly discussion on cooperation between the two institutions took place on at the GCSP on Friday, February 10, 2017.

From left to right, Ambassador Christian Dussey, Brigadier Asim Ali Quereshi, Major General Ghulam Quammar, Colonel (GS) Christian Bühlmann

I presented Switzerland to the participants of the European Security Course (ESC) at the GCSP. Using a circuit training methodology, the participant were introduced to Swiss institutions, Swiss History, Swiss Facts. They also pictured their perception of Switzerland. I stressed the complexity and the stability of the Swiss system.

A five day Orientation Course from 05 to 09 December 2016 for Defence Attaché, Diplomats and Senior Officials involved in Defence and Diplomacy, designed by the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, Geneva, Switzerland (GCSP) with the coordination of the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff concluded at the Faculty of Graduate Studies of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) on 09 December 2016.
Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Kolitha Gunatilleke extended a warm welcome to the Chief Guest of the inaugural ceremony His Excellency, Heinz Walker-Nederkoon, Ambassador of Switzerland to Sri Lanka and Maldives, Representatives of the GCSP and 26 course participants including 13 from South and South East Asian Countries.

I have participated to the closing ceremony of the First GCSP Orientation Course for the Defence Attaché together with Vice-Chairman KDU, Rear Admiral Jagath Ranasinghe, Vice Chancellor, KDU and His Excellency Heinz Walker-Nederkoorn, Ambassador of Switzerland to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and to the Republic of Maldives Air Chief Marshal Kolitha Aravinda Gunatilleke, Chief of Defense Staff (CDS).

The course was a great success; the support and the hospitality from the OCDS and the KDU were tremendous.

More pictures from the DA orientation course; Yes, I can smile!

[I have participated to the opening ceremony of the First GCSP Orientation Course for the Defence Attaché together with Air Chief Marshal Kolitha Aravinda Gunatilleke, Chief of Defense Staff (CDS); Vice-Chairman KDU, Rear Admiral Jagath Ranasinghe, Vice Chancellor, KDU; His Excellency Heinz Walker-Nederkoorn, Ambassador of Switzerland to the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and to the Republic of Maldives. Concentration made my face look much too serious!

The course, very well organised by GCSP and the office of the Chief of Defense Staff (OCDS), with the support of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU), had a great start, with great participants!]

Defence Attachés (DA) operate at the intersection of diplomacy, strategy, economics and public relations. As their roles and missions are complex and evolving, it is important for new Defence Attachés to be properly prepared to take on new functions.

Following the success of the nine previous years’ training course, the GCSP organised for the tenth time, in collaboration with the Royal Jordanian National Defense College in Amman, a five days training course for military officers and civil servants involved in International Relations in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Yesterday, I have opened the course with brigadier general Naser Al Maihrat.

A delegation of the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, led by Vice-President Fu Mengzi, visited the GCSP on Friday 17 June 2016.

Invité par l'Association de la ligne fortifiée de la Promenthouse à l'occasion de son assemblée générale annuelle le 26 mai 2016, le colonel EMG Christian Bühlmann y a présenté le GCSP sous le titre Une nouvelle ligne de défense - Le centre de politique de sécurité, Genève, composante de la politique de sécurité suisse.

The Swiss Professional Officers Training Course (SPOT) was held at the GCSP from Monday 11 until Friday 15 April. This one week-long course provides expert training in the broad field of international security to Swiss professional (regular) officers.

An informal gathering of the GCSP alumni was held in Colombo, Sri Lanka on Friday, 11 March 2016. Eleven participants, among them Chief of Defence Staff of Sri Lanka, Air Chief Marshal K A Gunatilleke, took part in the meeting.

The GCSP’s Alumni Affairs offers social and intellectual engagement opportunities to its graduates and current course participants.

It is inspiring to see GCSP alumni united, learn from their rich experiences and hear about their achievements following their studies in Geneva. In the off years between the biennial international security policy conference hosted in Geneva, the GCSP’s Alumni Affairs reaches out to its alumni in different geographic regions with informal alumni receptions and partnered conferences and events. Over the past three months, we have met with our alumni in Yangon, Colombo, New Delhi, and the members of the GCSP’s Alumni Community Hub in Brussels. The gathering of the Training Course on International Relations, Democratisation and Human Security alumni was held in Yangon, Myanmar on 26 February.

A team of three members from the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) visited the VIF on 14 March 2016 for an interaction on a wide range of issues. The team comprised of Colonel Christain Buhlmann (Head of Regional Development Program, GCSP), Colonel (GS) Christof Gertsch (DA for India and Singapore) and Colonel Urs Amiet (Senior program Adviser, GCSP). The VIF panel was led by Lt General R.K Sawhney with the other members being Brig Vinod Anand, Commodore Gopal Suri, Group Captain Lalit Joshi and Colonel Ashish Sirsikar.

A delegation of officials of the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) met the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence Eng. Karunasena Hettiarachchi at the Ministry premises today (22nd Thursday, October 2015).

From 31st March to 2nd April 2015, Senior Course 126 visited Switzerland, a long-standing and very active member of the Partnership for Peace (PfP). The visit consisted in two distinct parts, the first focusing on information acquisition and academic insight, and the second with a broader cultural and social emphasis.

[...]

The Swiss Professional Officers Training Course (SPOT) has started this week on the Monday, March 9th. This one week-long course provides expert training in the broad field of international security to Swiss professional (regular) officers. The objective is the transfer of knowledge and the broadening of the conceptual understanding of international security issues with a special emphasis on questions related to global and regional security, as well as the role of states and international institutions in conflict management and peacebuilding. The teaching methodology includes lectures, panel discussions and informal group discussion-making exercises. A large number of presentations were given by staff members of the GCSP, experts in the field and the Swiss federal administration.

In Switzerland, future unit commanders of all branches of the Swiss Armed Forces are trained at the Command Course I (Führungslehrgang I – Stage de formation au commandement I) located in Bern. They learn topics such as leadership, tactics, combat engineering, and training guidance. Likewise, they are taught in-depth basic knowledge of the organisation of the armed forces, security policy and military history. Regular NCOs (Berufsunteroffiziere – sous-officiers de carrière) attend the FLG I as part of its continuing vocational training in order to be promoted (Stabsadjutanten – Adjudants d’état-major). The course takes place three times a year.

Was in Moscow, Russia, last week-end to receive an award on behalf of the GCSP from the PIR Center. The PIR Center has kindly awarded the GCSP a prize “For Educating the New Generation in the Area of Non-Proliferation”. Met interesting and amazing people.