Our advanced course series

To fulfil its mandate of educating a new generation of global leaders, the GCSP continued its series of advanced courses in 2020, delivering excellence in learning with a focus on a broad range of state and human security topics. The 35th edition of the Leadership in International Security Course (LISC) and 24th edition of the European Security Course (ESC) were run by a broad range of expert scholars and practitioners who engaged with our professionally and regionally diverse participants.

Our commitment to innovative learning within these courses was tested in 2020, because both had to rapidly became virtual in March in response to the new learning context brought into being by the COVID-19 pandemic. The commitment of participants, experts and GCSP colleagues ensured the successful completion of both courses, and resulted in valuable take-aways on the use of new digital tools and approaches to enhance face-to-face learning. This integrated approach will ensure that our participants have the most effective learning experience in the future, whatever it may hold.

The 35th edition of the LISC was designed to increase the conceptual and leadership skills of highperforming professionals who seek to further their careers and move into decision-making positions. Through the LISC, 22 participants from 22 countries across the globe gained insight into strategic threats to peace and stability and assessed the effectiveness of current and future policy responses. This was achieved while enhancing their leadership capacity and establishing networks with one another and the over 200 multistakeholder experts who addressed the group. The LISC is a dual-track programme and forms part of the annual Master

of Advanced Studies in International and European

Security jointly run with the Global Studies Institute of the University of Geneva.

Testimonials

The GCSP not only imparts and shares knowledge but also supports and empowers its participants with a global network. This cutting-edge approach… is… crucial to those who want to be ‘fit for purpose’ to address present and future global security needs.”

Veronica Waeni Nzioki, Diplomat, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kenya

The course updated my knowledge on topical issues… and has given [me] the tools to improve my professional and leadership skills that will be invaluable as I progress in my career.”

ESC participant, 2020