Globalisation, Security and Humanitarian Issues

• 4th training course for Swiss diplomats

Following Switzerland’s accession to the United Nations in 2002, the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs decided to organise an annual course on multilateral diplomacy for its junior diplomats. This course was developed by the Centre for International Governance (CIG) in partnership with the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP). The GCSP was chosen as it previously organised a one-week programme on security issues for this audience. It was decided that the new course would be open to representatives from diplomatic missions in Geneva as well as officials interested in multilateral diplomacy.

Some 24 participants are attending this year's course which takes place from 11 to 29 May. They come from Switzerland, Brunei Darussalam, the Czech Republic, the Principality of Liechtenstein, the Sultanate of Oman, and Tanzania.

The main objective of the programme is to take advantage of the opportunity offered by international Geneva to place participants in real-time situations of multilateral diplomacy. Divided into three separate modules, coordinated respectively by the Centre for International Governance and the Geneva Centre for Security Policy, sessions tackle issues of globalisation, economic integration and trade, address threats to international security, and review principles of international humanitarian law, humanitarian action and human rights. The programme includes interactive discussions with high-level academics and experts, study visits to international organisations, hands-on sessions with practitioners, and a variety of practical exercises.

The facilitators of the programme include Mr. Peter Batchelor (UNDP), Dr. Nick Drager (GHP), Dr. José Roméro (BAFU), Mr. Cornelio Sommaruga, Mr. Hans-Peter Werner (WTO) and professors from the Institute: Michael Barnett, Andrea Bianchi, Lucius Caflisch, Louise Doswald Beck and Cédric Tille.

The Centre for International Governance was born in the summer 2008 from the merger of well-known programmes of the Graduate Institute (PSIO, PED). Guided by experience and knowledge of challenges faced by the public and private sector and civil society in the new governance environment, the Centre offers training and training consultancies tailored to the needs of its partners, as well as a platform to thoroughly discuss crucial governance issues.