The 19th 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 in Geneva 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"

My core paper was quoted in the book by Germano Dottori
"Questioni di Pace o di Guerra".

“GCSP trains professionals. ITC 19 were great professionals. It was an honour to serve them”.
Julian Lindley-French