Published on 1 February 2026

The Geneva Centres

Switzerland supports three internationally recognised centres of excellence: the Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP), the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) and the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF). These centres make an important contribution to the global promotion of peace, security, human rights and the rule of law.

The Maison de la Paix in Geneva houses the three peace and security policy centres supported by the Swiss Confederation. — © Keystone/Martial Trezzini

At the initiative of the federal government, the Geneva Centres were established between 1995 and 2000 as nonprofit foundations with international sponsorship. With this step the Confederation strengthened the position of International Geneva as a hub for peace and security policy. The FDFA coordinates the Swiss government’s activities with the centres and promotes Switzerland’s peace and security policy interests by providing strategic guidance. The FDFA’s Peace and Human Rights Division chairs the interdepartmental steering committee. Swiss Parliament sets the framework credit for the Geneva centres on a four-yearly basis.

• Geneva Centre for Security Policy, GCSP

  The GCSP is a leading institution for continuing education in the field of international peace and security policy. It is aimed at diplomats, administrative staff, military personnel and representatives of international organisations. In addition to practice-oriented courses, the GCSP also offers a neutral platform for informal dialogue on security policy issues. With its global network, the Centre makes an important contribution to International Geneva and Swiss foreign policy.

  Fifty-five countries are represented on the GCSP's Board of Trustees.

  Geneva Centre for Security Policy, GCSP

• Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, GICHD

  The GICHD deals with all aspects of humanitarian mine clearance, from crisis intervention and reconstruction to peacebuilding and development cooperation. It publishes specialised knowledge, develops international standards, sets benchmarks for quality management and the security of personnel in the field. At the same time, the GICHD promotes implementation of the relevant provisions of international law. It supports local initiatives, including education and training programmes.

  The staff of the GICHD provide operational support for mine clearance programmes. In this context, it works closely with the United Nations, NGOs, research centres and private companies. Mine clearance covers anti-personnel mines and all other types of mines, cluster munitions and other explosive remnants of war, improvised booby traps and unexploded ordnance.

  Twenty states are represented on the Board of Trustees.

  Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, GICHD

• Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance, DCAF

  DCAF is the global leader in the areas of good governance and security sector reform (SSR). It works closely with the UN, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the EU, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and NATO. It runs more than 400 projects per year focused on the development of new strategies for security sector reform in countries that have requested support and operational work in the field. The main areas of its activities are:

  • Police, law enforcement and border management reform
  • Fighting corruption
  • Civil society and parliamentary oversight and control of the security sector
  • Support for reform processes
  • Regulation of private security and military companies.

  Fourty-one states are represented on the Board of Trustees.

  Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance, DCAF

Links

• Humanitarian demining
• Geneva Centre for Security Policy, GCSP
• Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, GICHD
• Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance, DCAF
• International Geneva
• Peace and Human Rights Division
• Action Plan on Mine Action for 2023–2026

Overview: International organisations