A year in review – our most read and shared in 2024
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2024 was another a year marked by conflict and violence, fluctuating geopolitics, rising nationalism and populism, growing inequality, and democratic backsliding.
Nevertheless, there are reasons to hope. “Inspiring and resilient leaders and doers, especially from groups that were long silenced — the youth, women, immigrants, minorities — are driving change on the ground every day,” according to the Directors of the three Geneva Centres, DCAF, GCSP and GICHD.
We are grateful to our partners and donors for working with us to put security governance at the heart of the conversation and create a more secure and sustainable future for people and states.
In this final insight of the year, we're highlighting our most popular resources of 2024 and hope they’ll help you as you work to make a difference in building sustainable peace through better security for people and states.
Achieving sustainable development through SSG/R
“There can be no sustainable development without peace, and no peace without sustainable development.”
DCAF works on many projects that contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals. This insight provides two examples of how we are doing this by supporting the development of a Police Doctrine in the Gambia and by working to improve the relationship between the police and the media in Colombia.
Women in peace operations
The Measuring Opportunities for Women in Peace Operations (MOWIP) methodology helps identify barriers and opportunities for women in United Nations peace operations.
It is part of the Elsie Initiative, which is accelerating the pace of change in security institutions and enabling more uniformed women to participate meaningfully in peacekeeping.
Reform in The Gambia Police Force: The road to professionalism
DCAF has been supporting security sector reforms in the Gambia since 2017. In this video documentary, representatives from the police, the Ministry of Interior, the Office of the National Security, the Defence Security Committee, the Office of the Ombudsman and other institutions testify to the activities of the EU-funded project to help improve the efficiency and accountability of the Gambia Police Force.
The contribution of civil society to SDG 16 through security sector governance and reform
“Civil society groups can act as a platform for the diverse views of populations, and especially of marginalized and vulnerable groups, and play a unique role in ensuring that actions taken to achieve the SDGs are people driven.”
How can civil society contribute to the realisation of SDG 16 on peace, justice and strong institutions? These case studies answer the question.
Women in the Special Forces
Our mini-documentary series, Intelligence and Security Sector Reforms in North Macedonia, explains the progress and reforms implemented in the intelligence and security sector in North Macedonia.
This episode focuses on using gender sensitivity and gender responsiveness as guiding principles in the country’s security institutions, including the armed forces.
People-centred Defence reform
Listen to Hervé Auffret, a security sector reform expert and former member of the French navy, lead the discussion on a people-centred approach to defence.
This episode is part of our Donors Talk SSR podcast series, which unpacks different issues and practices in security sector governance and reform.
Cyber hygiene course for civil servants
While cyber-attacks are more frequent and sophisticated, basic cyber hygiene remains the most effective protection for users. This cyber hygiene elearning course provides simple and practical tips on how to stay safe online. Join the more than 350 learners who have taken it this year.
It is available for free in six languages: English, Macedonian, Montenegrin, Serbian, Albanian and Bosnian.
Addressing trauma in security sector
Inside every uniform, there is a human being. Mental health is a serious concern for those who work in the security sector and routinely experience trauma on the job.
This study highlights the effect of trauma on security forces, sheds light on the need for trauma-informed approaches in security sector reform and provides key lessons for building resilience.