8-12 November 2011

On the second week of November 2011, students from the Masters Program International Administration and Conflict Management went on a five-day excursion to Geneva. This year, the main theme was "Making Failed States Work after Violent Conflict – State-Building and Post-Conflict Reconstruction in the 21^st Century". Just as in 2010, the objective of the tour was to promote a direct exchange between the students and experts in post-conflict reconstruction.

The first scheduled meeting on the program was a visit to the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF), for an interview with former French general and now private consultant Brigadier General (ret) Jean-Philippe Ganascia.

On the following day the students visited the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), where they first learned from lecturers Stéphane Beytrison and Martin Gauthier about the overall work of the Committee and how they operate in the field, as well as the experiences of the ICRC specifically in West Africa. Subsequently, lecturer Simon Robins provided a valuable insight on how to connect theory and praxis, as he himself conducted extensive academic research in East-Timor as well as Nepal and is also active in the ICRC.

In the afternoon, the group visited the NGO Small Arms Survey, where they were welcomed by Research Director Anna Alvazzi and Managing Director Eric Berman. The students received an overview of the organization’s main research topics and how the research is conducted, of the SAS publications and also of the situation regarding circulation and use of small fire arms world wide.

On the third day the students engaged on an intensive round of lectures, beginning early in the morning at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). After a tour of the Palais des Nations, the discussions continued during the afternoon, including talks with experts from the World Health Organization (WHO), the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).

During their fourth day of activities the group first visited the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP). During the lecture they were familiarized with the various courses offered by the organization and their general mode of operations, as well as of the immense networking capacity within policy makers represented by the GCSP. Continuing their journey in Geneva, the future MAs found themselves at the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), where the Senior Communications Advisor of the program, Neil Buhne provided them with an open and honest testimony of how life and work in the field are and how they can affect the efforts of International Organizations on a daily basis.

On their final day the group participated in a city tour, where they were introduced to the history of Geneva and the development of the city as a hub for international organizations and the development of humanitarian ideals and ideas.

The outcome of these visits to institutions in Geneva was evaluated as extremely positive by students, lecturers and organizers alike: Not only did the meetings serve as an arena for the students to take on open discussions and lead interviews with experts in their field of study, but also the group gained a precious insight into the work in conflict and post-conflict environments and the role of the NGOs and different UN branches in affected regions. For the students, it was especially gratifying how in addition to being always ready and willing to answer any question, the lecturers also made themselves available for further contact, enabling them to broaden both their network and scope of ideas for their future master thesis.