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53331. Survey of SSR Regional and Sub-Regional Networks

Publication Date:
10-2003
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform
Abstract:
The enclosed survey was conducted in order to map all regional and sub regional networks working in the field of Security Sector Reform (SSR) in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America and the Caribbean. The objective of mapping SSR networks in these regions is multi-fold. Firstly it is imperative that at a time when security has taken a truly global dimension and span, academics and practitioners alike are aware of the state of SSR in different regions. Certain similarities and patterns emerge during the analysis that offer lessons and directions for actors wishing to become involved in SSR in a particular region, or searching for guidance in applying best practices and lessons learned to particular situations. Secondly, exchange of experience and ideas is especially important in supporting South-South dialogue, but the value of cooperation cannot be overemphasized given the often-unclear context in which SSR activities take place. The mapping exercise serves as an entry-point for practitioners to identify existing networks and their areas of expertise. Opportunities for collaboration are made possible by identifying other organisations that are pursuing similar goals. Additionally, the map of SSR networks serves to identify possible gaps in scope of activity and highlights entry points for other organisations and networks to further the objectives of security sector management and reform. Lastly, this exercise will serve as a vehicle for the GFN-SSR to develop ways to strengthen its activities. One way in which the GFN-SSR is already adding value is through the development of its website, which, inter alia, offers a newsletter in four languages, i.e., English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. An activity to reinforce the access to information for those in areas of poor connectivity is already being developed through the conception of a CD-ROM containing all the existing website information for distribution on a timely basis to interested organisations.
Topic:
Security, Development, and International Organization
Political Geography:
Africa, America, Europe, Asia, South America, Latin America, Central America, and Caribbean

53332. Security Sector Reform Policy Brief

Author:
Hilary Benn, Baroness Symons, and Adam Ingram
Publication Date:
11-2003
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform
Abstract:
With the end of the Cold War, a new understanding of the concept of peace and security has emerged. A broader focus on the nature of sustainable peace and its building-blocks, such as social and economic development, good governance and democratisation, the rule of law and respect for human rights, is supplementing the traditional concept of collective security. Security is necessary for people to go about their lives without fear or harassment and it is the responsibility of the state to provide this security. Security sector reform (SSR) describes the process for developing professional and effective security structures that will allow citizens to live their lives in safety.
Topic:
Security, Civil Society, and Government
Political Geography:
United Kingdom and Europe

53333. Aims, Objectives and Activities of the Security Network Symposium

Author:
Rocklyn Williams
Publication Date:
07-2003
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform
Abstract:
This concept paper sets out the background, guiding framework and focus of the forthcoming 'Security Network Symposium' to be held in Maputo, Mozambique between 30 June and 1 July 2003. This document presents a general background to the challenges of peace, security and stability facing regional and sub-regional organisations in Africa and an overview of the existing African civil networks, as well as African networks in the security sector. The remaining sections, which form the main thrust of the paper, spell out the core objectives of the Maputo meeting, define the scope of security sector networks, prescribe the issues that require discussion, and propose a range of desirable outputs from the meeting.
Topic:
Security, International Organization, and Peace Studies
Political Geography:
Africa

53334. Providing Security for the People: Security Sector Reform in Africa

Author:
Ann M. Fitz-Gerald and Anicia Lalá
Publication Date:
11-2003
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform
Abstract:
The subject of Security Sector Reform (SSR) and all its permutations and combinations, has evolved considerably over the last thirty years culminating in a re-branded, more holistic 'package' of actors, policy and programmes. It is an area that now garners interest across the wider security sector, and includes uniformed institutions and organisations such as the police, gendarmerie and the military, as well as the non-uniformed actors that play an important oversight role with regard to political, legislative, and budgetary processes.
Topic:
Security, Defense Policy, and Development
Political Geography:
Africa

53335. Report Of The South-South Dialogue On Defence Transformation

Author:
Anicia Lalá
Publication Date:
05-2003
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform
Abstract:
The objective of the conference was to promote the debate about defence transformation in the context of Ghana, inject local content and transparency, and enhance Ghana's ability to gain ownership of the process. The departure point was the Performance Improvement Plan (PIP) of the Ghanaian Ministry of Defence (GMoD), whose primary objective is to strengthen the capacity of civil staff of the MoD in managing the defence sector. In order to highlight the challenges of defence transformation under African conditions, the presentations included the experiences of South Africa, Uganda and Sierra Leone, delivered by respective nationals.This initiative was part of a collaborative effort between the GMoD, the British Defence Advisory Team (DAT) and the African Security and Dialogue Research (ASDR) and followed a two-week defence management course for civilian staff mounted by Cranfield University. Conference participants included civilians and military from the GMoD and the Ghanaian Armed Forces, parliamentarians, academics, representatives from the Ministry of Interior and the Intelligence services as well as members from civil society organizations (CSOs) equally attended the meeting.
Topic:
Security, Defense Policy, and Civil Society
Political Geography:
Africa

53336. UNDP: Conference on Justice and Security Sector Reform: Coherence, Cooperation, and Comparative Strengths

Author:
Chris Ferguson
Publication Date:
05-2003
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform
Abstract:
The UNDP's Bureau for Crisis Prevention and Recovery (BCPR) has established a Justice and Security Sector Reform (JSSR) team to provide technical support and assistance to regional Bureaux and Country Offices. This Oslo conference, attended by international donors and Senior NGOs, was organised in association with the Oslo Governance Center, UNDP's Bureau for Development Policy, and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The conference allowed donors to share their own experiences in the pursuit of JSSR around the world via five structured sessions including a "breakout" session dividing the conference participants into four smaller groups for closer discussion on separate topics. It also enabled informal exchanges between the key global actors in the area of JSSR.
Topic:
Security, Development, Non-Governmental Organization, and United Nations
Political Geography:
Africa

53337. First Meeting of the DCAF Africa Working Group

Author:
Aneta Ratynska
Publication Date:
04-2003
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform
Abstract:
The 1st Meeting of the DCAF Africa Working Group was held in Geneva, Switzerland on April 24, 2003. The objective of the Meeting was to facilitate the exchange of views, expertise and experience among participants involved in SSR related work in Africa, and to advise DCAF on programming for the region. Participants at the conference represented government, civil society, academic institutions, and donor and recipient countries.
Topic:
Security, Development, and International Cooperation
Political Geography:
Geneva, Africa, and Switzerland

53338. Managing the Defense Budget Process

Author:
Nicole Ball
Publication Date:
03-2003
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform
Abstract:
Sound fiscal management of the entire security sector is essential if a country is to have effective, efficient and professional security forces that are capable of protecting the state and its population against internal and external threats. Highly autonomous security forces that are able to act with impunity in the economic and political spheres are invariably professionally weak and highly cost-ineffective. Because the armed forces in many African countries absorb the majority of resources allocated to the security sector and tend to have a high degree of political autonomy, there is a good deal of interest in the process by which defense budgets are developed, implemented and monitored.
Topic:
Security, Development, and Political Economy
Political Geography:
Africa

53339. GFN-SSR Advisory Group Meeting

Author:
Ann Fitz-Gerald
Publication Date:
03-2003
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform
Abstract:
Robin Luckham opened the meeting by thanking all members for attending, particularly after two busy days spent in London at the SSR International Forum. He emphasised how well the Forum had gone and how successful the team had been with the level of participation, bearing in mind the current political uncertainty.
Topic:
Security and Defense Policy
Political Geography:
London

53340. Security Sector Reform in Latin America and the Caribbean

Author:
Owen Greene
Publication Date:
03-2003
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Global Facilitation Network for Security Sector Reform
Abstract:
The paper aims to outline some key issues and processes relating to security sector reform in Latin America and the Caribbean. The paper defines SSR in this regional context and then identifies and discusses some of the key issues and priorities for SSR in Latin America and the Caribbean. The paper then sketches the history of international assistance to promote SSR, in the three subregions: South America, Central America and the Caribbean. The paper ends with some short conclusions.
Topic:
Security and Government
Political Geography:
South America, Latin America, Central America, and Caribbean