The 29th edition of the International Training Course in Security Policy (ITC) started on 7 October, bringing 23 participants from 19 countries from four continents, including participants from China, Colombia, Ethiopia and Ukraine. The ITC is an intensive eight-month course, which trains mid-career diplomats, civil servants and military officers, as well as members of the wider security community in the most important aspects of current international security policy.
"The international response to the twin crises in West Africa (ebola) and the Middle East (Islamic State terrorism) has raised an important question about the nature of global leadership and the emerging shape of the new international order." In his web-editorial, Dr Carl Ungerer unpacks the declining influence of the West, different perspectives on interventionism held by the rising powers and how these are shaping the future of international relations.
"A place for meeting, reflection and action, which augments Geneva's leading role in peace on the international stage": it is with these words that Swiss President Didier Burkhalter officially inaugurated the Maison de la paix (House of Peace) on Friday 3 October. He was joined by the State Council President of the Republic and Canton of Geneva François Longchamp, the Administrative Councillor of the City of Geneva Sandrine Salerno, and 500 other invitees.
Even though this new initiative is directed towards the future, making it effective will be helped by looking at past lessons and experiences;
No one body has the capacity to fully implement the treaty on its own as it combines traditional state security and human security. The treaty therefore results from, and calls for, new and innovative multi-stakeholder approaches.
Government officials in charge of implementing the treaty will need to establish new or strengthened control systems.
