Geneva Centre for Security Policy Where knowledge meets experience
EXECUTIVE COURSE
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8-12 DECEMBER 2014
WEAPONS LAW AND LEGAL REVIEW OF WEAPONS 2 5-day weeks programme residentia
Course Directors
Dr William Boothby Dr Bill Boothby retired in July 2011 as Deputy Director of Legal Services (RAF) in the rank of Air Commodore (1 star) after 30 years in the Royal Air Force (UK) and is an Associate Fellow at the Geneva Centre for Security Policy.
GCSP The Geneva Centre for Security Policy is an international foundation with 45 member states from across the globe that provides forwardthinking and innovative solutions for leaders and policymakers concerned with international affairs and security in today’s complex, globalised world.
Learning to conduct legal reviews of weapons States have a legal obligation to ensure that the weapons that are newlydeveloped, manufactured or produced for their own armed forces are compliant with international law. Therefore, all States should conduct legal reviews of weapons at various stages in their manufacture or procurement. These reviews should be carried out by experts with a good understanding of the relevant legal provisions. This course will provide lawyers, diplomats and other officials with the knowledge and skills required for that purpose.
Key benefits for you The course will enable you to: • Acquire the new knowledge, tools and skills required to ensure your State’s compliance with international weapons law; • Exchange views among peers and experienced experts and practitioners in a neutral and open environment; • Conceptualize and/or conduct a legal review of any category of new weapon; • Develop your judgment and decision making through practical case studies; • Access an extensive network of experts in international affairs, law and security as a GCSP alumnus.
Faculty profiles In addition to the course director, the faculty teaching the course hold, or have held, the positions: Professor of Public Law at the Europa-Universität Viadrina in Frankfurt, Head of the Arms Unit, Legal Adviser and Deputy Head of Delegation for the International Committee of the Red Cross, Senior Advisor and Senior Fellow at the GCSP.
Why you should attend
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The course is designed to provide lawyers, diplomats and other officials, either currently involved or likely to be involved in legal weapons reviews and / or other weapons related issues, with the necessary understanding to ensure their State’s compliance with the law. The course does not assume any particular level of knowledge of, or previous experience in international law or the law of armed conflict.
In the heart of “International Geneva”
Hosting 35 international organisations, more than 250 non-governmental organisations, and 173 diplomatic missions, representations and delegations, Geneva represents the world’s richest network on international affairs.
Admission Course focus
For further details about the course and the application process, please contact:
• Defining weapons, means and methods of warfare
• Nuclear, biological and chemical weapons
• The evolution and sources of weapons law
• Missiles, bombs, firearms and bullets
a.pissis@gcsp.ch
• New weapons technologies
+41 (0)22 730 96 94
• Unnecessary suffering and indiscriminate weapons
Application deadline: Wednesday, 15 October 2014
• Weapons and the environment
Tuition fees: CHF 750
Course design
Support
The course design is based on a learning cycle starting with knowledge transfer in presentational sessions, continuing with the practical application of that knowledge in small groups through case studies (experience) and leading to consolidated expertise and skills. This learning cycle is applied to each of the various thematic areas throughout the course.
This course, which has been running since 2011, is funded by the Swiss Government and is conducted in cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the International Institute for Humanitarian Law (San Remo, Italy).
Approach
Language requirements: The course is held in English. No translation is provided. Venue: GCSP Maison de la paix Chemin Eugène-Rigot 2D P.O. Box 1295 CH-1211 Geneva 1 www.gcsp.ch Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn