From 1 June, GCSP's Deputy Director Dr Khalid Koser will be seconded for one year as Executive Director of the Interim Secretariat of the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF), based in Geneva as an initiative of the Global Counterterrorism Fund (GCTF). GCERF is intended to respond to the challenge that while terrorism is a global phenomenon, it starts at the local level. While military, intelligence and law enforcement operations can help address the threats that terrorist pose, in the long-term we need to reduce their ability to recruit at the community level by addressing local drivers of radicalisation.
This month, Graduate Institute masters students Katherine Lawson Bornet and Ashley Hartz contribute to our Policy Paper series with a piece focusing on the current transition in Afghanistan and on the use of communications and technology to empower Afghan citizens. The paper recommends a series of realistic changes in communications policies of international actors as well as the Afghan government to increase transparency and set realistic expectations for the coming year. It also proposes a potential two-way communications platform for civilians and their representatives in government, using mobile technology.
Former Head of EULEX Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo and former Commander of the NATO Force in Kosovo, General Yves de Kermabon is a newly appointed GCSP Associate Fellow. He recently visited us to lead a session of the module on skills enhancement of the 3rd ESDC Advanced Course for Political Advisors in EU Missions and Operations. We had a chance to ask him a few questions about his personal experience as an instructor and a mentor.
Political Advisors (POLAD) are instrumental actors in the decision-making process of peace and security efforts. The Political Advisor's Handbook provides a template through which POLADs can understand and develop their roles and influence: The "upwards" function consists of providing counsel to Principals on matters of political strategy. The "downwards" function relates to the POLAD's effective transmission of ideas and information to team members. The "outwards" function refers to the POLAD's role in conducting external relations on behalf of the mission. The "inwards" function of a POLAD consists of funneling ideas and information within the mission, and maintaining a strong and constructive relationship between the mission and headquarters.
ACTION POINT >> Have you ever developed a matrix to illustrate your professional responsibilities and your veins of influence? Should you do so, do you think you might discover areas in need of development?
