GCSP (Training Courses)

The Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) is jointly run by the Geneva Centre for Security Policy and the Global Studies Institute (GSI) of the University of Geneva.

It is based upon the internationally recognized training expertise of GCSP’s Leadership in International Security Course , a course on international security policy entering its 30th year, and the long-standing academic expertise of the Global Studies Institute of the University of Geneva. The MAS attracts participants who serve in the broad area of security policy, be it in government, military, private sector or international institutions and agencies engaged in security-related policy planning and decision-making. 

Creative diplomacy is diplomacy practiced through the prism of creativity. This course provides participants with the opportunity to explore the concept of “creative diplomacy” as a powerful extension to classical diplomacy. In addition to discovering new methods and skills in diplomacy, participants will be able to discuss common challenges, and share experiences and develop creative and innovative solutions.

Ce cours, offert par le GCSP, grâce à la subvention du Département de la Défense, de la Protection de la Population et des Sports de la Suisse, sera organisé en partenariat avec l’Etat-major général des Armées du Sénégal et le Centre des Hautes Etudes de Défense et de Sécurité (CHEDS), et pourra compter sur la contribution des Forces Armées Suisses.

Les objectifs du cours sont:
• de consolider les compétences et la compréhension des participants sur des thèmes spécifiques liés à la politique de sécurité internationale
• d’assurer une base solide pour leurs futurs défis professionnels en tant qu’attachés de défense
• de familiariser les futurs attachés de défense au travail multilatéral et multiculturel

Arms proliferation is both a traditional and a new security issue. In fact, it is as old as armament (and indeed technology) itself. What is an almost inextricable challenge for the international community is the complexity of devising effective policy responses to an increasingly transnational threat resulting from the action of a diversity of state and non-state actors. 

In order to help comprehend this phenomenon, this one-day module will attempt to address the multiform nature of the arms proliferation problem, to assess how it has been hitherto dealt with, and to explore and discuss what may be done from now on, whether about weapons of mass destruction or conventional weapons.

The GCSP offers a two-week professional training course on peacebuilding on behalf of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) for members of the Swiss Expert Pool for Civilian Peacebuilding (SEP) and selected international participants. From 2001 to 2005, the course was run by the FDFA; since 2006, it has been conducted by the GCSP. This course will be run in partnership with swisspeace, the Swiss Peace Foundation, and SWISSINT, the Swiss Armed Forces International Command.

The emergence of new technologies is unfolding on many fronts. Almost every advance is considered as a breakthrough yet not every new technology will alter the way wars are fought. This module analyses the impact of current disruptive technologies on warfare and international security. The goal is to provide an overview of current and future technologies that will have a transformative impact on warfare such as artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, bioelectronics, synthetic biology, genomics or big data. This course helps the participants in identifying relevant disruptive technologies.

The SML is held to identify and prepare newly appointed and future mission leaders of UN peacekeeping operations and to familiarize them with their roles and responsibilities in peacekeeping operations.

This five day Leadership Course provides an opportunity for current and potential leaders to enhance their understanding of sustainable peacebuilding and leadership styles. Although the body of knowledge about peacebuilding is growing, a lack of clarity about what makes peacebuilding effective persists. Similarly, considerable knowledge exists on leadership, but fails to permeate in the peacebuilding field. This course provides an opportunity for practitioners to enhance their understanding of both leadership and sustainable peacebuilding.

With this course on “Peacebuilding” experts from governments, civil society, the private sector, international institutions and agencies as well as international non-governmental organisations will be prepared and supported for their engagement in crisis prevention, crisis management, humanitarian aid and development cooperation. This Peacebuilding Course is jointly organized by the  Austrian Study Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution  (ASPR), the Austrian Ministry of Defence and Sports, and the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) in the framework of the Academic Programme of the  European Security and Defence College  (ESDC).

“Sea is free to all and nobody has the right to deny others access to it.
Every nation is free to travel to every other nation, and to trade with it.”
Mare Liberium, Hugo Grotius 1609

This one-day training module focuses on the nature of maritime security today, the strategic, legal and operational frameworks employed by international security institutions as well as by select individual states to combat this complex and increasingly international security challenge.

The Cyber world is evolving very quickly. It is becoming a growing challenge for the nations and internationally. The key question is how to improve the preparedness of the modern societies and how to build new capacities in the cyber word. Awareness is crucial to further development as the weakest links in the chain are the users, be they individuals, companies or governments, while education is decisive in mitigating the shortage of skilled cyber-professionals. New collaboration models are needed and the role of the private sector in cyber security is crucial.

Cyber security has also become a integral dimension of global security policy and almost every crisis is having its “cyber front”. The most recent case is the Ukrainian crisis. Edward Snowden’s disclosures have been a serious blow to citizens’ trust of governments. Can political leaders still impact users’ online behavior? Is personal data gathering an infringement of human rights or a “necessary evil”? How can governments be held more accountable in cyber-space? Cyber-security’s concepts and legislation clearly need to be better defined.

Ce cours propose de former des fonctionnaires gouvernementaux des Etats signataires du Traité sur le Commerce des Armes (TCA) sur la meilleure façon de mettre en oeuvre efficacement ses dispositions. Le but du cours est de contribuer à la réalisation des deux principaux objectifs du TCA: «Instituer les normes communes les plus strictes possibles aux fins de réglementer ou d’améliorer la réglementation du commerce international d’armes classiques ; [p]révenir et éliminer le commerce illicite d’armes classiques et empêcher le détournement de ces armes.»

Annual Swiss Trainee Diplomats Training Course, 18-22 May 2015

In complement to national training, the GSCP offers an orientation module for new Defence Attachés and civil servants involved in international relations. The course analyses major international security questions, especially with regard to the ‘New Threats’ agenda. It surveys practical issues of protocol, as well as knowledge and practices of international conventions. It builds confidence and experience though a proven simulation of a ‘Defence Attaché tour’. All aspects of the couse meet the requirements of the Geneva Standards for Defence Attaché training.

In complement to national training, the GSCP offers an orientation module for new Defence Attachés and civil servants involved in international relations. The course analyses major international security questions, especially with regard to the ‘New Threats’ agenda. It surveys practical issues of protocol, as well as knowledge and practices of international conventions. It builds confidence and experience though a simulation of a ‘Defence Attaché tour’. All aspects of the course meet the requirements of the Geneva Standards for Defence Attaché training.

The 30th edition of this eight month international training course in security policy is designed to increase the knowledge and skills of high-performing professionals, who seek to enhance their career and engage in leadership positions in solving the world’s most pressing security challenges. Participants can also opt to take part in the concurrent  Master of Advanced Studies in International and European Security , jointly run with the Global Studies Institute of the University of Geneva.

Myanmar is currently undergoing rapid changes to its political and economic systems .The three-week training course brings together 20-25 selected persons from Myanmar’s administration, parliament, political parties and civil society organisations, to explore key issues in democratization and international relations. It promotes a vision of strong democratic institutions and support for the rule of law and human rights.

What does the interdisciplinary nature of political advising mean to you? Political advisors are instrumental actors in the decision-making processes of peace and security efforts. Their effectiveness is of fundamental importance both on the ground and at an international level. Their duties require them to synthesize information rapidly, to develop a comprehensive understanding of the context and key issues at hand, and to convey their understanding and analysis to their institutions at varying levels while building and nurturing meaningful relationships.

This course builds the political advisors’ skill sets and networks needed to carry out their work more efficiently and effectively.

The Annual Middle East and North Africa training course on new issues in security policy provides training and fosters capacity-building in nontraditional security challenges. The course addresses the important transition underway in Middle East and North Africa countries and the impact on the security challenges in the region.