Alumni & Community
Since the GCSP’s founding in 1995 more than 11,000 government officials and civil servants have enhanced their expertise through GCSP courses. The number of alumni grew steadily after the GCSP’s establishment, and in late 2013 a strategic initiative was undertaken to create a dynamic network of alumni by cultivating links among the remarkable professionals in international security policy who had passed through the GCSP. This network, which covers 174 nations and counts among its members leaders, experts, and practitioners from diverse backgrounds, is a unique tool of Swiss foreign policy. Over the past decade, the GCSP Alumni & Community Engagement Office has strategically established and unified this network, ensuring its growth and cohesion.
In times of crisis, “Information is essential, and reliable information has to be exchanged fast”, as one of our alumni aptly said. Our Alumni Community network provides a reliable source of information, knowledge and insights that its members can tap into when dealing with geopolitical crises in their work environment.
Ways to engage with and connect to the network
Regional Hubs and Global Exchanges
A worldwide representation of 33 Alumni and Community Regional Hubs serves as platforms for dialogue and exchange, allowing our community members to connect and collaborate on critical security issues.
The GCSP Alumni & Community Engagement Office cultivates a global and highly influential network of over 11,000 security policy professionals, including GCSP alumni, former fellows, regular guest speakers, faculty, and staff. It facilitates meaningful connections through conferences, events, and knowledge-sharing platforms, fostering collaboration for lasting impact and leveraging collective wisdom to empower the community, their respective organisations, partners and the GCSP.
The global network of our alumni and community members is uniquely equipped to offer internationally focused insights and perspectives. This network serves as an invaluable source of firsthand geopolitical knowledge. In September 2022 our Alumni & Community Engagement Office launched the Alumni Regional Security Conversations, creating a platform for alumni experts to discuss regional challenges and future threats in a closed roundtable setting.
Moreover, the Global Alumni Networking Night (GANN) serves as a vital tool for connecting the alumni community within their country’s respective capital cities. This event – our most expansive – is organised simultaneously in as many locations as possible. In 2023 it was held in 40 cities worldwide.
Top-tier professionals from a wide range of peace and security institutions come to the GCSP to build their knowledge and establish relationships that enrich their personal and professional lives long after they leave the programme.
At the GCSP Alumni & Community Engagement Office we provide a dynamic platform for alumni to exchange their knowledge and firsthand experiences, fostering a collaborative environment where real-world insights are shared. By facilitating these exchanges, we empower our alumni to continuously learn from one another, adapt to evolving circumstances, and stay ahead of emerging trends.
We are dedicated to comprehending the intricacies of global challenges and improving responsiveness. By bringing together members of our diverse community and encouraging the transformative ideas, we promote interdisciplinary, gender-balanced, and cross-regional projects and foster a comprehensive approach to security policy and international cooperation.