Peace Operations and Peacebuilding
Peace Operations and Peacebuilding

Entering 2024 - people, organizations and countries around the world are all seeking to grapple with an ever-growing number of unprecedented political, security, economic, information, environmental and health challenges. The war on Ukraine grinds on, a series of military coups in Africa is seemingly becoming a “new normal”, while the war between Hamas and Israel has taken the conflict cycles of the Middle East to a different horrifying level. Globally, violent conflicts are increasingly prolonged and protracted. Moreover, a range of transboundary threats are aggravating the situation, from the impact of the pandemic and climate crisis to the spread of transnational organised crime and cyber insecurities and attacks. The gap between governing elites and those governed continues to widen. While decisive action to promote peace, security, human rights and sustainable development is urgently required, the international community is increasingly fragmented, polarised and often in conflict.

To meet the challenges of today and tomorrow, the nurturing, inspiring, enabling and empowering of structures, networks, organisations and individuals committed to making a concrete, positive difference for a more peaceful world is as critical as ever.

In support of Switzerland’s role on the United Nations (UN) Security Council 2023-2024, the GCSP is mandated by the Swiss Federal Department for Foreign Affairs (FDFA) and the Department for Defence, Civil Protection and Sports (DDPS) to support the work on UN-related efforts connected to the New Agenda for Peace and the preparations for the Summit of the Future.

To this end, the GCSP has augmented its’ work on strengthening leadership for peace and security engagements, operations and peacebuilding through the 1) convening of dialogues and discussions, 2) the generation of policy applicable research and advice, and 3) by providing executive education and training.

During 2023, a series of round table discussions and debates, seminars and conversations addressed a range of aspects pertaining to the emerging New Agenda for Peace. The objective is to leverage and strengthen leadership to build peace in turbulent times, to reinforce multilateralist projects and initiatives, and to contribute to the development of and preparations for future peace and security engagements, operations and missions. Results have directly and indirectly fed into ongoing international policy processes and the revision and strengthening of the GCSP overall programme of peace operations and peacebuilding work, including its courses and training deliveries.

A significant policy applicable research and advise project led by the GCSP is a study on the role, relevance, impact and lessons learned from the first UN Peacekeeping Operation, the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization (UNTSO) established in 1948 and currently in focus in wake of the erupted war in the Middle East. The findings of the study, undertaken in cooperation with the Effectiveness of Peace Operations Network, the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs and the UN Department for Peace Operations, will be presented in New York in connection with the International Day of Peacekeeping 2024.

In the area of education and training, the GCSP offers a range of core courses and customised alternatives on a broad spectrum of peace operations and peacebuilding themes applicable to different geographical settings and organisational needs and priorities. For example, on behalf of the Swiss FDFA, the GCSP is hosting several dedicated leadership-level courses for UN political, peacebuilding and peace operations personnel: the UN Mission Advanced Staff Training; the UN Police Commanders Course; and the UN Senior Mission Leadership Course. On behalf of the Swiss DDPS, GCSP will host the 2024 Annual Senior Officers Seminar on the Future of Peace Operations: Reflections, Options and Considerations.

Work to strengthen inclusive leadership for peace is also and specifically pursued through the International Leadership Association, where the GCSP’s Head of Peace Operations and Peacebuilding serves on the Board of Directors. In 2022, GCSP pioneered a Women Leaders for Peace Fellowship Initiative for eleven outstanding women leaders making a difference in the peace and security domain. In 2023-2024, focus lies on exploring how best to leverage inclusive leadership in support of the implementation of the emerging New Agenda for Peace in general and for future peace and security engagements, operations and missions in particular.

 

PARTNERSHIPS

The GCSP contributes to peace operations and peacebuilding development primarily in association with the following partners and mechanisms:

  • Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
  • Swiss Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports and the Swiss Armed Forces
  • United Nations: UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, UN Department of Peace Operations, UN Standing Police Capacity, UN University Centre for Policy Research in Geneva, UN Institute for Training and Research and UN Office at Geneva
  • European Union: European Security and Defence College and the EU Civilian and Military Training Working Groups for Leadership and Management of Common Security and Defence Policy Missions and Operations
  • International Leadership Association (ILA) (Member of the Board of Directors)
  • Geneva Peacebuilding Platform (GPP) and Geneva Peace Week (Member of the Steering and Management Committees) and the GPP – Beijing Foreign Affairs University Digital Dialogue on Peacebuilding
  • Effectiveness of Peace Operations Network (EPON)
  • Partner Organisations - standing collaborative projects and/or regular cooperative initiatives: Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF), Graduate Institute, Interpeace, Small Arms Survey, International Peace Institute, Crisis Management Initiative Martti Ahtisaari Foundation, Institute for Economics and Peace, Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, Quaker Office United Nations, Cairo International Centre for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Centre, International Peace Support Training Centre in Kenya and the United Services Institution of India
  • International Association of Peace Operations Training Centres (IAPTC) and European Association of Peace Operations Training Centres (EAPTC)
  • International Forum for the Challenges of Peace Operations (Challenges Forum)

 

 MAIN UPCOMING ACTIVITIES in 2024

  • International Leadership Association Board Meeting, University of Cambridge Institute of Sustainable Leadership, Cambridge, 18-19 March
  • Research Mission Phase II to the Middle East for EPON Study on UNTSO in cooperation with the UN DPO and NUPI, April (TBC)
  • New Issues in International Security – Leadership for Peace: Conflict Prevention, Management, and Resolution Course Week Module, GCSP, 21-24 May
  • Co-hosting of High Level Event and Expert Symposium on Current and Future Peace and Security Challenges: The Role of United Nations Peacekeeping, including launch of UNTSO Study Report led by GCSP.  The day will be co-hosted by UN Department for Peace Operations, Switzerland, Ghana, India, Norway, GCSP, EPON, NUPI, United Services Institution of India, at the UN Headquarters, New York, 31 May
  • Global Peace Index 2024 European Launch co-organized with the Institute of Economics and Peace, Geneva, June (Date TBC)
  • 25th Swiss Peacebuilding Training Course, co-organised with the Swiss FDFA and the Swiss Armed Forces, Stans, Switzerland, 25 August- 6 September
  • UN Police Commanders Course Review, Sweden, 9-13 September
  • 15th Swiss Annual Senior Officers Seminar – Peace Operations for the Future: Trends, Options and Considerations, in cooperation with the Swiss Armed Forces, Geneva, 25-27 September 
  • Geneva Peace Week, co-organized with the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform and the UN Office in Geneva, mid-October 2024 
  • International Leadership Associations Annual Conference and Board Meeting, Chicago, 5-10 November 
  • UN Senior Mission Leadership Course, co-organised with the UN DPO, the Swiss FDFA, Kenyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Kenyan International Peace Support Training Centre, Nairobi, 11-22 November

 

RECENT UNDERTAKINGS

  • Co-hosting of Public Discussion and Report Launch on The Role and Impacts of Human Rights in UN Peace Operations in Practice with United Nations University Centre for Policy Research, Centre for Civilians in Conflict, EPON Network, Stockholm Peace Research Institute, GCSP, 1 March
  • Co-hosting of UN Police Divisions Leadership Team Retreat on Strategic Reflection on the Future of UN Policing, on behalf of the UN DPO, the Swiss FDFA and in cooperation Swiss Armed Forces, Stans, Switzerland, 25-28 February. Ideas Notes: 1) UN Peace Operations – The Road to 2030; 2) Preparing for UN Policing 2030 – Challenges and Opportunities Ahead; 3) Harmful Information in the Context of Peace Operations – Implications and Opportunities for UN Police; 4) Leveraging New Technologies in Support of UN Policing; and 5) Preparing for the Future: Climate Supportive UN Policing
  • Hybrid Governance in Crisis Settings: Exploring Practical Frameworks for Service Delivery Systems. A Breakfast Round Table co-organized with United Nations Development Programme, United Nations University for Centre for Policy Research, and Geneva Peacebuilding Platform, GCSP, 9 February
  • A Pact for the Future and New Agenda for Peace: Creating Opportunities for Better Collective Security, A High-Level Roundtable for the 2024 Summit of the Future, co-hosted with Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations and Other Organizations in Geneva, Stimson Center, and the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform, GCSP, 5 February
  • Leadership in International Security Course / Master in Advanced Studies in International and European Security, GCSP and University of Geneva – Leadership for Peace: Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution, 2 Weeks Module, GCSP, 15-26 January
  • Informal Geneva Civil Society Update on the Summit of the Future and related UN-Civil Society Conference in Nairobi, co-hosted with the Stimson Center, UN University Centre for Policy Research, Geneva Peacebuilding Platform, and Global Governance Innovation Network, GCSP, 18 January 2024
  • Preparing for the Future: Shedding Light on the Role of UN Military Observers – Emerging Lessons from and for United Nations Truce Supervision Organization, Round Table co-organized with the UN Department for Peace Operations (UN DPO), the Effectiveness of Peace Operations Network (EPON) and Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI), New York, 11 December, 2023
  • Geneva Peace Week Meets New York - Building Trust, Building Peace: An Agenda for the Future, co-organised with the Swiss FDFA and the GPP, 28-29 November, and a GCSP organized High-level Panel on The New Agenda for Peace and Preparing for the Summit – From Recommendations to Commitments, New York, 28 November 2023
  • UN Police Commanders Course, co-organised with the UN DPO and the Swiss FDFA in cooperation with the Swiss Armed Forces, Stans, Switzerland, 13-24 November 2023
  • Participation in International Association of Peacekeeping Training Centres Annual Conference, hosted by the International Peace Support Training Centre, Nairobi, 5-9 November 2024
  • Participation in UN Policing Day, co-hosted by the Kenyan National Police and the United Nations Department for Peace Operations Police Division, Nairobi, 4 November, 2023
  • Geneva Peace Week, Building Trust, Building Peace: An Agenda for the Future, co-organised with the GPP and Swiss FDFA, 30 October-3 November 2023 including:
  • GCSP organized High-level Panel on Building Trust, Building Peace: Preparing for the Summit – A Conversation about the Future, 1 November, 2023
  • GCSP Panel Discussion on The New Agenda for Peace: Reflection on the Future of Peace and Security Engagements, 1 November, 2023
  • International Leadership Association Annual Conference 2023: Cultivating Leadership for a Thriving Future, 3-4 (online) and 12-15 (Vancouver) October 2023, including a GCSP organized session on Preparing for the Summit of the Future: Cultivating Adaptive Leadership for Future Peace Missions and Operations, 14 October 2023
  • GCSP Regional Security Cooperation Alumni Seminar: The Democratic Republic of the Congo at a Cross Roads: What Path Towards Sustainable Peace?, 28 September 2023
  • 24th Swiss Peacebuilding Training Course, co-organised with the Swiss FDFA and the Swiss Armed Forces, Stans, Switzerland, 27 August-8 September 2023
  • Geneva Security Debate, “The New Agenda for Peace: An Opportunity to Reshape Peace Operations”, GCSP, 22 August 2023
  • Participation in the Swiss-Korean Commemoration of the 70th Anniversary of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission, Swiss Parliament, Bern, 5 July 2023
  • Global Peace Index 2023 Geneva Launch, co-organised with the Institute of Economics and Peace, GCSP, 30 June 2023
  • Making the Difference in Peace, Security and Development – Results-Based Management and Beyond, course co-organised with DCAF and Small Arms Survey, GCSP, 26-30 June 2023
  • Presentation on Swiss Contribution to UN Peacekeeping, “UN Peacekeeping @ 75 Workshop” co-hosted by the ETH CSS and International Peacekeeping Journal, Zurich, 12-13 June. Contributed to publication from workshop.
  • New Issues in International Security - Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution and Sustainable Peace Course Week Module, GCSP, 6-9 June 2023
  • Study Visit Middle East with EPON Project on UNTSO, including meetings with national stakeholders and UNIFIL, UNDOF, UNSCO, UNSCOL, MFO, etc., 22 May-5 June 2023
  • Round Table Discussion, UNTSO Headquarters, Jerusalem, in cooperation with UNTSO, 28 May 2023
  • Round Table Discussion on The New Agenda for Peace and The Future of Peace Operations – Lessons Learnt from UNTSO? in cooperation with the Cairo Centre for Conflict Resolution, Peacekeeping and Peacebuilding and EPON, 1 June 2023
  • Participation in the 75th Anniversary of UN Peacekeeping Commemorations at UN Headquarters, Jerusalem, and the equivalent at UNIFIL Headquarters, Naqoura, 29 May 2023
  • Participated in Adaptive Leadership Workshop, GCSP, 16 June 2023
  • International Leadership Association Leadership for Peace Presentation on Adaptive Leadership for Peace Operations and Missions, Online 11 May 2023
  • GCSP Public Discussion “Preparing for the Summit of the Future: What Future for Multilateralism?” and Launch of Policy Brief “The Future of Multilateralism” by Richard Gowan, UN Director, International Crisis Group, GCSP, 28 April 2023
  • GCSP Strengthening UN Peace Operations and Peacekeeping Project visit to New York, 17-21 April 2023
  • Results-Based Management Course UN Standing Police Capacity, co-organised with DCAF and Small Arms Survey, Brindisi, 27-31 March 2023
  • Geneva Consultations on the New Agenda for Peace, co-organised with GPP and Swiss FDFA, Geneva, 16-17 March 2023
  • 23rd Swiss Peacebuilding Training Course, co-organised with the Swiss FDFA and Swiss Armed Forces, Stans, Switzerland, 26 February-10 March 2023
  • Briefing by the High-Level Advisory Board on Effective Multilateralism in cooperation with the UN University Centre for Policy Research and the GPP, Geneva, 1 March 2023
  • Briefing on the New Agenda for Peace by the UN Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs, co-organised with the GPP, GCSP, 18 January 2023
  • Leadership in International Security Course / Master’s in Advanced Studies in International and European Security, GCSP and University of Geneva – Prevention, Conflict Management and Sustainable Peace 2 Weeks Module, GCSP, 16-27 January 2023
  • International Leadership Association (ILA). In 2022, GCSP pioneered the ILA Women Leaders for Peace Fellowship Initiative. 11 outstanding women leaders contributed with 22 thought pieces and lectures delivered on:
    • Global Leadership for Peace Operations and Peacebuilding 2030: How Emerging Security Risks Will Challenge Leaders
    • Leadership for Peace: Finding the Third Way in a Two-Dimensional World
    • Clarity Through Crisis: Developing Leaders for Peace in a VUCA World
    • Leading in Complexity at the Climate-Environment-Peace Nexus
    • Leadership for Peace and Emerging Technologies
    • What Lessons for Leading Peace and Mediation Processes from the Experience of a Young Woman Leader Promoting Peace and Security in and for Liberia?
    • Leading with a Human Rights Lens to Peacebuilding: Exploring the Intersection of Conflict Resolution and Human Rights with Neuroscience and Behavioural Insights
    • Strengthening Women Leadership for Peace: What Principles of Leadership are Critical and Why?
  • Enhancing Leadership for Peacebuilding – Senior-Level Peacebuilding Course, co-organised with the UN Institute for Training and Research and the Swiss FDFA, Online, 14-18 November 2022
  • Geneva Security Debate, “A Crisis in Peacekeeping? What Room for Peace Operations in the New Agenda for Peace”, GCSP, 11 November 2022
  • Geneva Peace Week, “Peace is Possible”, 31 October-4 November 2022: High-Level Panel organised by the GCSP on “Making Peace Possible: What’s New on the New Agenda for Peace?”
  • Geneva Peace Week Round Table “Health Emergencies and the Humanitarian Sector: Lessons for Sustaining Peace in a Pandemic”, co-organised with the International Peace Institute and GPP, GCSP, 1 November 2022
  • Launch of the SIPRI “Environment of Peace” Report in cooperation with SIPRI and GPP, GCSP, 28 October 2022
  • Breakfast Briefing on Our Common Agenda and Soft Launch of the UN University Centre for Police Research in Geneva, co-organised with the GPP, GCSP, 21 October 2022
  • UN Mission Advanced Staff Training Course, co-organised with the UN Departments of Peace Operation, Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and the Swiss FDFA, Geneva, 10-18 October 2022

 

VIDEOS AND PODCASTS

 

GCSP PEACE OPERATIONS AND PEACEBUILDING RELATED PUBLICATIONS and ARTICLES

 

For further information, please contact: Ms Annika Hilding Norberg, Head of Peace Operations and Peacebuilding, Geneva Centre for Security Policy:  [email protected]