APPENDIX 1
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GENEVA CENTRE FOR THE DEMOCRATIC CONTROL OF
ARMED FORCES (DCAF)
Mission
The Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) was
established in October 2000 on the initiative of the Swiss government. The Centre’s
mission is to encourage and support States and non-State governed institutions in their
efforts to strengthen democratic and civilian control of armed and security forces, and to
promote good governance, rule of law, and international cooperation in this field.
To implement its objectives, the Centre:
ƒ Collects information and undertakes research in order to identify problems, to
establish lessons learned and to propose the best practices in the field of
democratic control of armed forces and civil-military relations;
ƒ Provides its expertise and support in tailor-made form through appropriate
projects and programmes to all interested parties, in particular governments,
parliaments,
international
organisations,
non-governmental
organisations,
academic circles. In relations with national governments, a particular emphasis is
given to the principle of “help for self-help”.
Areas of Expertise and Current Projects
DCAF deals with a whole range of actors including armed forces, border guards, police,
state security agencies, intelligence, parliamentary and governmental oversight
structures, and civil society organisations. The work of DCAF is primarily aimed at, but
not limited to, countries in transition towards democracy in the Euro-Atlantic region.
DCAF’s key areas of analysis include:
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security sector reform;
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parliamentary oversight of armed forces, police, state security forces, and
intelligence;
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legal dimension of defence and security sector reform;
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conversion and force reductions;
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civil society building in post-conflict situations;
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security sector reform and human security.
DCAF’s key practical projects on the ground include
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advice and practical assistance on security sector reform to governments;
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provision of expert staffers to parliamentary oversight structures, such as
defence committees;
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assistance in drafting legislation related to defence and security in line with
European standards and norms;
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training on modern civilian border guard techniques;
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assisting governments in re-organising and demobilizing their military forces;
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assisting governments in dealing with defence budget transparency, defence
procurement and planning.
Organisational Structure and Budget
DCAF is an International Foundation under Swiss Law. DCAF’s Foundation Council is
currently made up of 45 governments including Switzerland, 40 other States from the
Euro-Atlantic region, 3 African States and the Canton of Geneva.
DCAF’s International Advisory Board is composed of a group of over 60 eminent experts
in the various fields of DCAF’s involvement.
DCAF staff includes some 60 experts on defence and security matters comprising about
30 different nationalities. The Think Tank carries out in-house research and analysis,
contracts research projects, engages in joint ventures with partners, and networks
existing knowledge, notably through the activities of its working groups.
DCAF’s Outreach and International Projects Divisions implement the results of this
analysis through practical work programmes on the ground. These Divisions are
currently directing several dozen projects within various countries in transition towards
democracy.
The Swiss Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports and the Federal
Departments of Foreign Affairs are the largest contributors to DCAF’s budget (10 million
Swiss francs in 2003).
Detailed information on DCAF’s organisation and activities can be found on the DCAF
website: www.dcaf.ch