An event organised by the GCSP and its Alumni Hub Stockholm, in collaboration with the Swedish Defence University
This seminar will explore the changing nature of global threats and risks, the dynamics reshaping the international world order and their implications for peace and security. The objective is to identify pathways for renewing security cooperation – grounded in trust and shared principles – even in times of significant disruption, fragmentation, and contested rules.
Bringing together perspectives from senior policymakers, military leaders, scholars, and practitioners, the seminar is designed as an interactive dialogue between speakers and participants, encouraging an open exchange and forward leaning critical reflection.
1230-1250 | Opening and Welcome
- H.E. Adrian Junker, Ambassador of Switzerland to Sweden
- Dr Malena Britz, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Head of Research, Associate Professor of Political Science, Swedish Defence University
- Brig Gen Marcel Amstutz, Senior Defence Advisor, Swiss Armed Forces to Geneva Centre for Security Policy
- Ms Isabelle Gillet, Head of Alumni and Community Engagement, Geneva Centre for Security Policy
- Col Per Åkerblom, GCSP Alumni Hub Leader Sweden, former Defence Attaché in France and Spain, Swedish Armed Forces
1250-1400 | Mapping the Global and Regional Security Landscape –
Part 1: What Threats and Risks on the Horizon?
This panel examines the rapidly evolving geopolitical environment and its implications for global and regional stability from four complementary perspectives. The discussion will focus on identifying and prioritising global risks and threats shaping the contemporary international security order, which can inform what types of security mechanisms will be of particular importance and relevance for the future.
- Vice Admiral Ewa Skoog Haslum, Chief of Joint Operations, Swedish Armed Forces, and Former Vice Rector, Swedish NDU (tbc)
- Dr Gustav Lindström, Director General, Council of the Baltic Sea States, and former Head of Emerging Security Programme, GCSP
- Col Joachim Isaksson, Assistant Head of Strategic Foresight Team, Defence Futures, Military Strategic Headquarters, UK Ministry of Defence, and Associate Fellow, GCSP
- Professor Erik Melander, Professor of War Studies, Swedish NDU
- Chair / Facilitator: Ms Annika Hilding Norberg, Head of Peace Operations and Peacebuilding, GCSP
1400-1430 | Refreshment Break
1430–1545 | Mapping the Global and Regional Security Landscape –
Part 2: What Security Mechanisms Are Required to Meet the Challenges?
The second panel will focus on the status of current global and regional security mechanisms - multilateral and institutional. The scene will be set with perspectives from Brussels, Geneva, New York, and Stockholm. As global and regional security mechanisms are under considerable political, financial, technological and security stress, the discussion will focus on what needs to be rethought, adapted, or innovated, to meet the environment and demands of an uncertain future.
- Maj Gen (retd) Mats Engman, Senior Advisor and Founder, Independent Views
- Mr Richard Gowan, Director Global Issues and Institutions, International Crisis Group, New York
- Dr Jibecke Jönsson, Head of Multilateral Affairs and Peacemaking Policy and Director of the Brussels Office, Crisis Management Initiative / Martti Ahtisaari Foundation
- Dr Gazmend Huskaj, Head of Global Cyber and Security Policy, GCSP
- Chair / Facilitator: Ms Annika Hilding Norberg, Head of Peace Operations and Peacebuilding, GCSP
1545-1700 | Building Trust, Building Partnerships – Revitalising Democratic Resilience to Strengthen Security in an Era of Uncertainty and Fragmentation
The third panel will explore the need for the revitalisation of democratic resilience as a core component to strengthening security. How can democracy advocate for peace and stability? The panelists will discuss aspects of trust building, within countries and between their leaders as a foundation for common global security, but also how global security can be defined and understood from a European perspective. Can rules based security be applied regionally even if global actors do not respect them? How can security mechanisms and institutions based on trust be built for the future?
- LtCol (Dr) David Bergman, Swedish Armed Forces
- Ms Andrea Liebman, Senior Analyst, Swedish Psychological Defence Agency
- Dr Sarah Backman, Researcher, Swedish NDU
- Chair / Facilitator: Col Per Åkerblom, GCSP Alumni Hub Leader Sweden, former Defence Attaché in France and Spain, Swedish Armed Forces
1700–1745 | Concluding Discussion and Key Takeaways
Seminar Organisers and Participants
1745–1800 | Closing Remarks
- Professor Kjell Engelbrekt, Dean, Swedish NDU
- Ms Isabelle Gillet, Head of GCSP Alumni and Community Engagement, GCSP
