News

Today, Dr. Astrid Irrgang takes over ad interim the management of the Center for International Peace Operations (ZIF) in Berlin. She succeeds Dr. Almut Wieland-Karimi who had led ZIF since 2009 and developed it into a globally recognized center of excellence for civilian crisis prevention and management.

The new ZIF training course from 1-4 November 2022 aims at responding to growing instabilities due to the effects of climate change. Applications are now open.

With these words, Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock honored ZIF's work in her laudation at ZIF's anniversary celebration a month ago. The evening with over 200 guests definitely was one of the highlights of our anniversary year - we continue presenting reviews and insights throughout the year. A short summary of a festive summer evening in June 2022.

A month ago, the Federal Ministry of Interior and Community invited to celebrate the 9th national Peacekeeping Day, with it commemorating the work of German civilian, military and police staff in international peace missions.

Sarah Grand-Clément (UN Institute for Disarmament Research) explores what technologies are available for use, and how these can be best employed, particularly given the sensitivity of a ceasefire context.

Clare Hutchinson, President of TOLMEC and a former NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security, looks at gender issues in the context of digital technologies, and its use in peace operations.

Crista Huisman, head of civilian crisis management sector, SECDEFPOL, EEA, elaborates on current initiatives to tackle the risks of foreign information manipulation and interference for civilian CSDP.

Despite all the uncertainties, the OSCE should critically evaluate its experiences with the SMM in order to be prepared for all eventualities.

The seminar was enriched by the experience of internationally renowned mediation experts P.-Y. Monette, L. Nathan, N. Mirimanova and A. Cooper.

95% of all UN peacekeepers work in missions mandated with the Protection of Civilians. How do they implement this task? How can mandate delivery be improved?

After a two-year break, numerous international experts came together again for a UN-CMCoord training in Berlin.

ZIF's International Advisory Board met in Berlin on June 22-23 for its annual meeting and also participated in ZIF's 20th anniversary celebration.

With the signing of the deployment agreement with WHO, ZIF now supports four UN humanitarian partners in conflict and crisis areas.

Successful conclusion of the five-day German-Swiss diplomat training on peace mediation.

On invitation of Brandt School of Public Policy, Almut Wieland-Karimi gave a lecture on multilateralism and discussed with students.

During the humanitarian briefing, ZIF prepared humanitarian experts for a possible short-term humanitarian secondment.

Germany and Switzerland join forces for the fifth time in conveying in depth-knowledge and practical insights on peace mediation to their diplomats.

On 2 June, ZIF, in cooperation with the EEAS Mediation Support Team, organized an exclusive online event on ceasefire negotiations for the members of the EEAS Pool of Mediators.

CSDP civilian missions are an important part of the EU's integrated approach. But there are also challenges to integrate them even better with the other EU instruments.

Many eyes are currently on Moldova – not just because it is the destination of many Ukrainian refugees but also due to rising tensions in its break-away region of Transnistria. ZIF recently visited the local OSCE mission.