Centre for Security Studies organised a conference entitled “The Role of NGOs in the NATO Integration Process“. The conference was held in Sarajevo on the 27th of October, 2009 at the Hotel Europa, Vladislava Skari?a 5.

The purpose of this conference was to exchange experiences between regional NGOs regarding the NATO integration process, as well as to establish better communication amongst government authorities and civil society groups with the aim of promoting common interests. The different levels of SEE countries in integration in the Alliance represent a great opportunity to exchange the best practices of mobilizing public support for the decisions made by authorities. Furthermore, this seminar was a contribution from the side of civil society towards the chairmanship of Bosnia and Herzegovina over the countries that are members of the Adriatic Charter.
  
Speakers at the event were distinguished international and local experts in the field of defence security, Euro-Atlantic integration and civil sector and the participants included representatives of the legislative and executive authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, representatives of the international community, NGOs and media.

The Centre for Security Studies in cooperation with Joint Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH for the Oversight of the Work of the Intelligence Security Agency of BiH, and the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) organized a seminar called “Intelligence Sector Reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina – a Five Year Perspective“. The seminar was held in Sarajevo in the building of the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The aim of the seminar was to create an open forum for debate on intelligence affairs in Bosnia and Herzegovina and to introduce participants with the work of the intelligence services, the historical background of intelligence services, their position in the security system, and their role in combating contemporary threats. Also, significant attention was devoted to the democratic control of intelligence work, as well as to the role of the parliament, media and civil society in conducting adequate oversight. 

Speakers at the event were distinguished international and local experts in the field of intelligence work. Participants included representatives of legislative and executive authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, representatives of the international community, NGOs, media and students of postgraduate studies.

The Centre for Security Studies organised a conference entitled “NATO: Cost and Benefits of BiH Accession“. The conference was held in Sarajevo on the 9th of July, 2009 at the Hotel Europa, Vladislava Skari?a 5.

Bearing in mind the political and military aspects of BiH accession to NATO, the aim was to evaluate also the economic indicators related to the membership. During the conference, the preliminary results of the research conducted by the Centre on this topic were presented, as well as public opinion results, and the comparative experiences of individual countries on these issues.    

Speakers at the event were distinguished international and local experts in the field of defence and security and Euro-Atlantic integration and the participants included representatives of the legislative and executive authorities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, representatives of the international community, NGOs and media.

Centre for Security Studies, with support from the Government of the Republic of Hungary organised a third seminar on the topic of: “European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP) and Bosnia and Herzegovina”, on 22nd of January, in Hotel Ero, Mostar.

The overall objective of the seminar was to provide an overview of the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy, with a particular focus on the aspects of security and defence. Specific aim was to disseminate thorough information concerning the structures which influence the creation of the EU policies. At the same time we recognised a need for Bosnia and Herzegovina to be fully aware of EU external policy developments and its impact on the process of European integration. The ESDP elements play an important role in Bosnia and Herzegovina, bearing in mind their active role in BiH, through the work of the Office of the High Representative, EUFOR and the EUPM.

Introductory remarks at the seminar were provided by Mr. Miomir Brajic from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Mr. Safet Softic Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliament of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina and H.E. Imre Varga, Ambassador of the Republic of Hungary in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The topics of the seminar were further discussed by the representatives from the Royal Institute for International Relations (Brussels) and the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (Berlin).

The seminar was attended by the representatives of the legislative and executive institutions, the international community and NGOs, scholars, students and media in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Centre for Security Studies, with support of the Government of the Republic of Hungary and Delegation of European Commission to BiH, organized a seminar entitled: “European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) and Bosnia and Herzegovina”, on the 5th of December, in BiH Institutions Building, Sarajevo.

The overall objective of the seminar was to give an overview of the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy, with a focus on aspects of security and defense. Specific aim was to disseminate thorough information about structures that influence creation of the EU policies. At the same time as it is necessary for Bosnia & Herzegovina to be aware of EU external policy developments and its impact on the process of European integrations. ESDP elements play an important role in Bosnia & Herzegovina, having in mind their active role in BiH, through the work of the Office of the EU Special Representative, EUFOR, and the EUPM.

The opening remarks at the seminar were delivered by Mr. Milorad Živkovic, Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, Mr. Tarik Sadovic, Minister of Security BiH, and H.E. Imre Varga, Ambassador of the Republic of Hungary in BiH.

Speakers at the seminar were Mr. Jean Yves Haine, from Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Ms Judy Batt, from EU Institute for Security Studies in Paris, Ms Susan Penksa, from Department of Political Science of Westmont College in Santa Barbara, Ms. Suzana Anghel, from the Geneva Centre for Democratic Control of Armed Forces etc.

The seminar was attended by representatives of legislative and executive institutions, the international community and NGOs, scholars, students, and media in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Centre for Security Studies, with support from the Government of the Republic of Hungary, organized a seminar entitled „European Security and Defense Policy (ESDP) and Bosnia and Herzegovina”, in Banja Luka, on the 7th of November 2007.

The overall objective of the seminar was to give an overview of the EU Common Foreign and Security Policy, with a focus on aspects of security and defense. Specific aim was to disseminate thorough information about structures that influence creation of the EU policies. At the same time as it is necessary for Bosnia & Herzegovina to be aware of EU external policy developments and its impact on the process of European integrations. ESDP elements play an important role in Bosnia & Herzegovina, having in mind their active role in BiH, through the work of the Office of the EU Special Representative, EUFOR, and the EUPM.

The opening remarks at the seminar were delivered by Mr. Denis Hadzovic, Secretary General of CSS, Mrs. Ana Trisic- Babic, Deputy Minister of the Foreign Affairs of BiH, Mrs. Nada Tesanovic, Vice President of the National Assembly of RS and H.E. Imre Varga, Ambassador of the Republic of Hungary in Bosnia and Hercegovina.

The seminar was organized by CSS with assistance from Bijeljina Municipality and police administration. The objective of the seminar was to raise awareness amongst Municipality citizens, civil society organizations, local and police administration and international community about Community-Based Policing and the project currently being implemented in MZ Janja. The seminar proved to be useful in terms of presenting, explaining and answering questions on the implications of the National Community-Based Policing Strategy for the local and entity police.

The seminar was organized by CSS with assistance from Mostar Town Municipality and police administration. The objective of the seminar was to raise awareness amongst Municipality citizens, civil society organizations, local and police administration and international community about Community-Based Policing and the project currently being implemented in MZ Brankovac and MZ Podhum. The seminar proved to be useful in terms of presenting, explaining and answering questions on the implications of the National Community-Based Policing Strategy for the local and cantonal police.

The seminar was organized by CSS with the help from Brcko District Municipality and civil society organizations. The purpose of the seminar was to raise awareness amongst civil society, local administration, police administration and international community about Community-Based Policing and the project currently being implemented in Brcko District. However, this seminar had a dual purpose as it presented an opportunity for a member of the Steering Committee for the National Community-Based Strategy to present, explain and answer questions on the implications of the Strategy on police and local administration.

The Conference „Media and Security Sector Reform in BiH“, was held from 11th to 13th of May 2006 in Sarajevo in the Building of Joined Institutions of BiH in Sarajevo, organized by the Center for Security Studies in cooperation with NATO HQ Brussels and the Geneva Center for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF).
It had the aim to promote the role of media in the process of security sector reform, and to emphasise their importance in creating and building a democratic and responsible security sector in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The conference was attended by parliamentarians of the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH, representatives of public affairs offices of legislative and executive state structures, the media, international organisations, as well as representatives from academia and political parties.

The Center for Security Studies was partner for the Conference on Protection of Persons and Property in BiH, organized by the Association of Security Managers in Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo on December 20th 2005 at the UNITIC Business Center.
The aim of this conference was to bring together professionals from BiH, as well as from countries with a developed private security sector, to exchange experiences and discuss new judicial, technical, and other solutions in order to foster joint co-operation on ensuring efficient implementation of protection methods for persons and property in BiH.
As part of the plenary session Mr. Armin Kržalić of CSS held a presentation of the research “Private Security Companies in South-East Europe: A Cause or Effect of Insecurity?”

Geneva Center for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) and the Center for Security Studies (CSS) have organized the summer school “The DCAF Young Faces Network” in Neum from 22 to 26 Jun 2005.

The DCAF Young Faces Network brought together young professionals, NGO activists, journalists and government officials from South-Eastern Europe and gave them an opportunity to engage in a broad debate concerning contemporary issues of global and regional security. It is of vital importance for the security of the region that future policy-makers have personal ties to each other and a common understanding of security issues.

More information about DCAF Young Faces Network available on: www.dcafyoungfaces.net

Within the overall framework of the activities of the Centre for Security Studies (CSS) in promoting values of global peace and security on 20 September 2004, CSS organised a National seminar titled “The Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty”. The seminar took place in the building of the Common Institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina . It was organized in co-operation with the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) Vienna and was supported by both the Parliamentary Assembly of BiH and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs BiH.

The aim of the seminar was to introduce the main aspects of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and the efforts of the Preparatory Commission of CTBTO to representatives of the legislative and executive authorities, as well as the academic community in BiH in order to ensure that the Treaty comes into force. The purpose of the seminar was also to persuade the authorities of BiH to undertake the necessary actions in order for ratification of the Treaty. Bosnia and Herzegovina signed the CTBT on 24 September 1996 , but is yet to ratify it.

The distinguished guests from the Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation, headed by Dr. Wolfgang Hoffman used this opportunity to stress the importance of this universal peace treaty and introduce to the participants the many benefits that ratification of this Treaty would provide to both civil and scientific communities within BiH.

Bosnia and Herzegovina needs a modern and professional State Intelligence Agency that will enable it to meet its obligations in the fight against organized crime, international terrorism and other threats to the State. Reforming BiH’s intelligence services has been identified as one of the key tasks to be accomplished if BiH is to move towards EU integration. Moreover, as recent events have shown, BiH can no longer afford to have an intelligence-security sector effectively operating outside proper State control.

In early autumn 2003, The Expert Commission on Intelligence Reform for BiH, which was established by the OHR, created a draft Law on the Intelligence and Security Agency.

The Centre for Security Studies Sarajevo (CSS) and the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF), with the support of the Office of the High Representative for BiH (OHR), co-organised a seminar which provided the first opportunity for the draft law to be discussed publicly. In attendance were members of Parliaments, parliamentary staff, government officials, representatives of the international community, the media, independent experts and academics. The High Representative incorporated some of the outcomes of the seminar on the draft Law on the Intelligence Agency, which was held on 27 – 28 November 2003 in Sarajevo.

The Centre for Security Studies - BH, in co-operation with the Office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office for Articles II and IV, Annex 1-B of the Dayton Peace Accords organized the seminar entitled "Economic Aspects of Security". This seminar took place in Trieste Italy, on the 2-5 October 2003. This seminar was a natural evolution from the seminar on the same topic held last year in Portoroz, Slovenia.

The aim of the seminar was to once again direct attention towards economic and human security. There has been substantial improvement in the restructuring of the military forces and ministries of defense in BiH, and now the focus is on economic security. The growth that needs to occur in Bosnia and Herzegovina is economic growth. The current restructuring of the armed forces, the necessity to eliminate duplication, the demobilization movement and aspects of human security were all topics for discussion, all being of importance as a precondition for further stabilization in the region.

The seminar was divided into three sessions and went over two days, the division was made in the following manner: "Implications of economic development on transformation of power and its influence on countries in the Region"; "Investment and Security - Investment perspectives in Bosnia and Herzegovina"; and the "Importance of the economy in the period of transition".

The seminar saw a variety of points of view all designed to stimulate thought and provide solutions to some of the complex and difficult problems in BiH. The seminar was attended by, authorities from BiH, Ambassadors from the Republic of Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italian state officials, NGO’s, OSCE representatives, UNDP representatives and Stability Pact representatives. It was concluded that the priority of state institutions has to be directed towards strengthening economic security, as only economically strong and stable countries have the precondition for security.

Hosted by the London-based organisation Saferworld and the Centre for Security Studies BiH, on 27-28 of September 2003, more then 20 representatives of civil society and non-governmental organisations from the South East European countries and entities: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia met together in Sarajevo to discuss Civil Work on Small Arms Issues: Building on Experience.

The aim of the seminar was to build on the outcomes of the meeting held in November 2002 in Szeged, Hungary, which was organized within the framework of the Szeged Small Arms Process (an informal dialogue on small arms issues in South Eastern Europe involving governmental, international organisation and agency representatives and civil society).

Seminar in Sarajevo had four main objectives:

On 25 and 26 March 2003, the Centre for Security Studies - BH (CSS) organised a seminar entitled 'Bosnia and Herzegovina towards Partnership for Peace'. The seminar took place in the Congress Hall, at the Holiday Inn Hotel was attended by more than a hundred people from international and domestic institutions.

The aim of the seminar was to evaluate the progress so far, to define the future of BiH activities in connection with joining the Partnership for Peace (PfP), as well as to achieve a higher level of understanding of the PfP program between the leaders of legislative and executive government of BiH in their activities of joining PfP, especially in the sphere of their potential, limitations and responsibilities.

This seminar was the continuation of the project that our Centre begun in November 2001, whose purpose was to inform parliamentarians and governmental officials about the PfP program, and about the conditions for joining.

This seminar aimed to address the issue of military and media relations in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In particular, the seminar endeavoured to provide a forum for media representatives and Public Information Officers in Bosnia and Herzegovina to develop a common understanding of the relationship between the civil media and the military in informing the public on military and security operations, policies and events.

The seminar consisted of three sessions - Public Affairs in the Military, Public Information and Parliamentary Control of the Military, Journalists and Public Affairs Officers. Every session provided comprehensive information for each given issue and the discussion periods allowed for the establishment of open dialogue and concrete recommendations for future development.

At the end of the seminar, a list of five main conclusions were produced that would allow for the establishment of stronger relations to assist in the development of open and transparent realtions between the military and media in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This seminar was organised in co-operation with the Office of the Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office for Articles II and IV of Annex 1B of the Dayton Peace Agreement and the University of Banja Luka.

The aim of the seminar was to highlight the significance of the economy and economic factors towards the security of states in transition. As such, the seminar was divided into four sessions across two days, covering essential issues relating to economic aspects of security and Southeast Europe. The sessions consisted of: Small States in the Era of Globalisation - the Challenges of the 21^st Century; Challenges for Democracy in Southeast Europe; The Evolving European Security Architecture; Prospects for Stability and Security in Southeast Europe - Challenges to Security.

The participation of prominent personalities from international organisations, OSCE Ambassadors, political figures from Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro, Slovenia and the Russian Federation helped to ensure that all factors pertaining to this issue were discussed in a comprehensive and open manner, and offered common solutions towards the execution of economic reforms and the reduction of security threats.

This event was the first in a series of activities within the framework of the Security Education Development Initiative – SEDI project. The seminar aimed to address the issue of the education of young security experts, whose educational development, in an academic as well as professional sense, is almost entirely ignored.

This event aimed to provide young experts with comprehensive knowledge regarding a multitude of themes, ranging from diplomacy, security and globalisation, defence reform, the role of international organisations to perspectives of security and post-conflict reconstruction in Southeast Europe.

Not only did the seminar provide a sound knowledge base of information, but also more importantly it provided a forum in which young experts could elaborate upon these issues within a comprehensive discussion period.

The seminar served to create links between young experts within the country focus of the project, and additionally has provided a basis for future co-operation within a number of study groups.

It is envisaged that the participants of the study groups will elaborate each particular topic through the formulation of a research paper, which will be further elaborated through contact with their study group counterparts, the results of which will be presented in a future workshop to be organised in the winter of 2002 / 2003.

The Centre for Security Studies in co-operation with NATO organised a series of public forums across the entire territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in Banja Luka, Mostar and Sarajevo. The guest lecturer was Mr. Robert Ayasse, from NATO''s Defence Partnership and Co-operation Directorate.

The series of lectures were addressed to academics, young officers of the armed forces and other prominent personalities. The theme was “Bosnia and Herzegovina on the Road towards the Partnership for Peace”

The seminars were extremely well attended and provided another opportunity to emphasise the obligations and implications of PfP membership, as well as the requirements that Bosnia and Herzegovina must fulfil in order to become a member.

In consideration of the BiH Presidency''s concrete intention and steps towards membership of the Partnership for Peace (PfP), the seminar focused on issues relating to the accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the PfP. In particular, the seminar provided information concerning the full implications and obligations that membership would actually incur, addressing the lack of information pertaining to these issues.

Mr. George Katsirdakis, from NATO, Defence Partnership and Co-operation Directorate, provided a comprehensive picture of all the issues involved with PfP membership. His participation, together with Ambassador Robert Mason Beecroft, Head of the OSCE Mission to BiH, and the other esteemed speakers, ensured that parliamentarians, members of the government and armed forces, amongst others, were furnished with a greatly improved understanding of the PfP, as well as the fulfilment of tasks needed to gain membership.

The seminar also highlighted the experiences of other countries of the region in their accession to the PfP, and the problems, implications and obligations that were confronted, which served as an example for the future road of Bosnia and Herzegovina in its quest for PfP membership.

The seminar aimed to address the issue of the absence of a state-level BiH Security Policy. One of the main problems was that there lacked sufficient means and knowledge in order to commence any development, and thus the objectives were to provide a forum in which the most pertinent issues relating to security policy could be discussed, and to provide practical examples of security policy implementation from different states. The participation of experts with a sound knowledge of security policy development ensured that the necessary background and information was provided to those tasked with the development of this most important document.

The seminar consisted of four sessions, covering essential issues relating to security policy development: new concepts of security policy, institutional approaches to security policy, models of security policies applied in European countries, and perspective of security policies of countries from the neighbouring states and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

At the end of the seminar, participants were presented with a security policy concept, which outlined the basic parameters and contents of a security policy for Bosnia and Herzegovina. Those present agreed in principle that the security policy should contain, inter alia, expanded elements of foreign, defence, internal security, economic and financial, and intelligence policies; as well as providing for appropriate disaster management and prevention techniques. This concept paper was further developed in the CSS''s Security Policy Project, expanded through a series of round-tables, addressing each of the main policy areas .