The
International Training Course in Security Policy Geneva, Switzerland,
2004 – 2005
In
2004 I was nominated by my government to participate to the nineteenth
International Training Course in Security Policy (ITC19),
held at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP),
representing the Ministry of Justice of Italy. The course took place from the
4th October 2004 to 27th May 2005. There were 30 participants from 25 countries.
The Geneva Centre for Security
Policy (GCSP) is an international foundation established in 1995 within the
framework of the Swiss participation in the
Partnership for Peace (PfP).
The primary activity of the GCSP is to provide expert training in comprehensive
international security policy for midcareer diplomats, military officers and
civil servants from foreign, defence and other relevant ministries coming from
NATO, Partnership for Peace (PfP), Mediterranean Dialogue Countries, Caucasus
and Central Asia.
The
ITC is an intensive 8 month course about the most
important aspects of current international security policy. The course offered a
broad overview of international security issues, with a special focus on the
contemporary global security environment, including security concepts, the main
actors (states and institutions) as well as emerging problems (e.g.,
proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, globalisation and international
terrorism). The ITC is run by an international faculty composed of highly
qualified academics and practitioners with broad experience in diplomacy and/or
military affairs. Some 150 high-ranking diplomats, military officers, government
officials and distinguished experts from across the Euro-Atlantic community and
beyond, addressed the participants as Guest speakers all over the Academic Year.
A particular focus of ITC 19 was to familiarise participants with modern working
methods, negotiating tactics, leadership training, security policy
decision-making, as well as drafting and briefing skills. Special courses and
simulation exercises were conducted throughout the year to that end.
In the framework of the
course, I did a presentation introducing Italian Security Policy, I prepared the
week about Human Rights
and International Humanitarian Law, and I was an advocate for
Globalization in the week about world economics.
I successfully finished my studies writing a Core Paper about the topic: “Is
there a West?”
I had an exciting and challenging
time in Geneva: International
Geneva hosts over 20 International Organisations and over 200 non-governmental
organisations. Living and working in an international environment was really an
enriching experience. At the end of the course I was evaluated as "well
suited for international assignments, either rapresenting Italy in a diplomatic
role or within an international organisation"
“GCSP trains
professionals. ITC 19 were great professionals. It was an honour to serve them”. Julian Lindley-French