Strategic Foresight for Peace and Security 2026

How do we move from a reactionary default in peace and security to better anticipation? What are the creative and innovative ways conflict can be prevented using foresight? How can we collaborate and integrate long-term planning in existing structures in peace and security?

Join us for this short course to explore these questions.

Ambitions tend to be low when anticipating in peace and security and responding to crisis the norm. The complexity of the challenges and speed of change compound this. However, there is growing interest and action in conducting long-term planning for sustaining peace and ensuring security. Common desires to prevent conflict before it occurs, avoid human suffering, and seek sustainable development can be powerful incentives.

One example is the use of strategic foresight by peace and security actors. The mindsets and processes of strategic foresight are being adapted for a variety of contexts and on different issue areas. A foresight process can be designed in a participatory way and promote dialogue & mutual understanding in contentious settings, characteristics that give it advantages in a peace and security context. This needs to be conducted in close collaboration with other approaches and integrated into existing structures to achieve impact. For example, there are opportunities to harness data-driven advances to anticipate. Overall, how can this collaboration be done in practice?  

This course will explore these issues in a constructive and practical way. The sessions are scheduled over the course of one week so that you can arrange your work schedule around the course. Join us!

Learning objectives

At the end of this experience you will have:

• Enhanced your understanding of strategic foresight as applied to peace and security.
• Discovered diverse and collaborative approaches for employing strategic foresight.
• Enhanced your skill sets for designing processes and constructing futures for peace and security.
• Learned from peer experiences and perspectives.
• Broadened your network in foresight and peace & security.

This course will emphasize how foresight can build inclusive, participatory, and cooperative processes.

To achieve the course objectives, the course will be structured around sessions that cover:

• Building blocks: an introduction to strategic foresight for peace and security.
• Deep dives: diverse examples of how foresight is being applied to issues & different settings in peace & security and integrated effectively.
• Ensuring influence: an exploration of the key components to build impactful and sustainable inputs.

This course is ideal for individuals engaged in analysis and planning on peace and security issues be that from a government, international organisation, NGO or private sector perspective. Individuals with backgrounds in peacebuilding, military planning, or the humanitarian sector – amongst others – may be interested to apply.

The GCSP reserves the right to modify the programme dates, location and fee at any time. 
15% Early-Bird Discount if you apply before 8 January 2026. GCSP Alumni qualify for a 20% discount on the standard rate of 450 CHF.