The Centre for Security Studies (CSS), established in 2001, and located in Sarajevo, is an independent research, educational and training enterprise dedicated to encouraging informed debate on security matters and to promoting and sustaining democratic structures and processes in foreign and security policy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in the region of South-East Europe.

Concept and Mission Statement

The geo-political composition of the European continent has changed immeasurably in the last decade. In the new millennium, with the escalating influence of globalisation and the connectivity of political, economic and security issues, European and global security organizations have been forced to confront the conflicts on the periphery of the European continent and the changing nature of circumstances and relationships within the region and the world.

In particular, the complexities associated with states in conflict, post-conflict societies and all countries in transition to democracy have presented specific challenges in the implementation of conflict resolution, reconstruction, reform, and the establishment of democratic trends. The nature of these challenges in Southeast Europe has proven especially complex as conflicts have occurred at various intervals over a period of time, and as such have presented a lasting test towards the approach of conflict resolution and post-conflict reconstruction.

The transformation of global and European security, political and stability considerations has meant that peace-building processes be implemented simultaneously with deliberation of the nature of the connectivity of issues in mind and the tasks of reform. This together with the proliferation of security concerns across the European and global landscape of a far more ambiguous nature than was previous has demanded a particular focus towards the reform of defence, security and criminal justice structures. Equally, it is clear that these processes cannot be implemented from a unity state perspective; moreover, their success depends upon the co-operation of the entire region.

The inter-connectivity of political and security issues in this unique time of globalisation has demanded an approach towards the resolution of collective problems through collective means. However, it is equally clear that the specific circumstances of individual states must also be taken into consideration in the formulation of particular solutions and approaches.

The Centre for Security Studies (CSS) recognizes that the creation of co-operation and trust, not just within Bosnia and Herzegovina, but also within the entire region, is imperative in order to create stability and security within the region, which will in turn provide the environment in which political, economic and systemic reform can succeed.

Working towards the CSS''s objectives, through various activities, it is envisaged that alongside the expertise of the international community, through co-operation with various organs and bodies of state, and with the knowledge and experience of engaged experts, that the CSS would endeavour to aid the reform and restructuring process and to address issues that are of concern throughout the entire territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the region as a whole.

Objectives

To activate and to encourage the application of mechanisms of civil management that promote the development of democratic institutions through the education of young experts in democratisation, best practices, security policy making, planning and implementation;

To foster a culture of regional cooperation, understanding and tolerance that will solidify and build upon the efforts of the international community, encompassing the principles of Articles II and IV of Annex 1B of the Dayton Peace Accords together with the European Union Regional Approach towards greater regional collaboration;

To improve existing practice and knowledge in the field of education that will equip young security experts with the necessary tools to convey a vision of the Southeast European region towards the realization of both the future landscape of Europe and the obligations that further membership of European security and political organizations will incur;

To establish a mechanism for the exchange of ideas and greater cooperation in the field of security towards lasting endeavours in the creation of peace and multi-ethnicity;

To develop the security policy using the experience of other countries in the management of transition and preparation for integration into EU and NATO structures;

To improve inter-entity co-operation within the domain of security tasking and evaluation of the current security situation in the sub-region and recommendations for its improvement;

To develop the creation of confidence building measures and prevention of conflict, as well as the restoration of a system of continuous sub-regional co-operation;

To establish a framework of co-operation and communication between politicians and experts from the region of Southeast Europe;

To address critical security issues and to pledge for the creation of a common regional strategy for the resolution of collective issues of concern (organised crime, terrorism, corruption, trade of human beings, illegal migration);

To research the development of security issues - having in mind a multi-disciplined dimension of security;

To work towards the re-establishment of a legislative framework, through the adoption of laws, regulations and rights;

To work towards the adoption of international standards of internal security and democratic control of the police, armed forces and security services.

Internship

The Centre for Security Studies BiH (CSS) invites interested students to apply for an internship at CSS.

The Centre for Security Studies (CSS), founded in 2001 is located in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is an independent research, educational and training enterprise dedicated to encouraging informed debate on security matters and to promoting and sustaining democratic structures and processes in foreign and security policy in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in the region of South-East Europe.

CSS’s activities focus primarily on the following aspects of security: reform of security sector in BiH as well as in SEE, defence matters, police and intelligence issues, civil-military relations, democratic oversight of the security sector, small arms and light weapons, regional conflict prevention and peace building measures.

Duration of the internship
1 to 6 months

Requirements

Bachelor degree (or equivalent) in security studies, political science, international relations, economics, or another relevant academic discipline

Fluency in English

Clear interest in security matters

Responsibilities
The work of interns in the CSS will include background research, task on CSS projects, assisting the preparation of the political/security analysis/reports, co-ordination with local and international agencies, assisting the organisation of seminars, workshops and training programs organised by CSS, etc. Every intern will contribute to one or more of CSS’s projects and will have one CSS staff member as her/his direct associate and supervisor.

Conditions
CSS is not able to provide remuneration to interns. In addition, interns must arrange their own health/accident insurance for the period they are at CSS.

If you are interested, please send a letter or email expressing your interest and a Curriculum Vitae (CV) to CSS at the address below. Please indicate in the letter the aspects of security issues that you are specifically interested in and the preferred period of the internship.

Current Interns:

Lejla Abdulahovic, B.A. International Relations and Intercultural Studies, Dublin City University

Former Interns:

Nadia Nawivala, John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts USA

Cornelius Friesendorf, Ph.D. – Lecturer, Geneva School of Diplomacy & International Relations

Sofia Sebastian, Doctoral Research, London School of Economics, UK

Vera Mironova, PhD in Economics, State University of New York, USA

Haris Secic, Graduate in Politics, Faculty of political sciences, University in Sarajevo

Kerim Hadziabdic, Undergraduate student of Political Science International Islamic University Malaysia

Nerkez Opacin, major in International Relations, International University of Sarajevo

Sanja Mihajlović, MA in Politics, Security and Inegration, School of Slavonic and East-European Studies, University College London, UK

Florence Gaub, Ph.D. - candidate in Political Science, Humboldt University Berlin, Germany

Ivana Mićić, MA in Politics Security Integration, School of Slavonic and Eastern-European Studies, University College London, UK

Ms. Mariangela Fittipaldi, MA in European Advanced Inte

Elizabeth Carey, Doctorate in Political Science/International Relations, University of Pantheon-Assas in Paris, France (2005)

Miss. Ana Elisa Juncos, Ph.D. student at Loughborough University, UK (2005)

Four students from “Security Studies”, University of Sarajevo (2003)

Two postgraduate candidates from the Interdisciplinary postgraduate study Programme Sarajevo-Rome (2003)

Two postgraduate candidates from:

Rijksuniversiteit Groningen University of Groningen / The Netherlands
Katholieke Universiteit Nijmegen, University of Nijmegen / The Netherlans

For further information please contact:

Centre for Security Studies BiH
Mula Mustafe Baseskije 10
71 000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
F ax. (387) 223 250
T el. (387) 253 326
E -mail: info@css.ba