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Welcome to CESS

The Centre for European Security Studies is an independent non-governmental organisation based in the north of the Netherlands. From our tiny office in the old university town of Groningen, we run programmes that focus on democracy in the realm of defence and security. Our mission is to promote transparent, accountable and effective government in the security sector. In pursuit of this aim, we conduct research, provide policy advice, hold debates, organise roundtable discussions and offer training courses. We are able to carry out such a wide range of activities thanks to the co-operation of a wide network experts and partners, mostly based in Europe. The results of these collaborative efforts are presented here under the headings publications and events. Our work is also made possible by the support of governmental and independent sponsors.

News

Remembering David Greenwood

Published on 2009-05-13

Resting his fists on the lectern, he would fix his audience with a glare and pronounce: “Reveal, Explain and Justify.” It was his golden rule of democratic governance. David Greenwood died on 11 May 2009 in Aberdeen, Scotland, but his work will continue to inspire us.

He joined CESS as our Research Director in 1997. Most of the writing done here, from research books to our newsletter Security Matters, was done by him. He was also our star speaker and senior lecturer. In 2005 poor health forced him to accept a lighter workload.

David Greenwood first worked at the UK Ministry of Defence. In 1967 he went to teach political economy at Aberdeen University, where he later became the director of the Centre for Defence Studies. He published widely on defence budgets and arms procurement. At CESS his main subject was defence reform and democratic governance in the security sector.

To borrow a phrase of his own, David was a construction worker on the building site of democracy. He was also our friend and mentor. We will miss him.

CESS video on Security Sector Reform Training

Published on 2009-01-13

For a country that doesn't exist, Croania has a lot of problems. Andreas Radky, the flamboyant Minister of Defence, has just bought uniforms for the army. They are expensive, late, and badly made. Worst of all, they were ordered without public tender from a garment manufacturer who is an old friend of the minister's. Parliament is not happy about this. It has established a committee of inquiry to get to the bottom of this story. Is the minister corrupt? Will he have to resign? And what will happen to the rest of the government? Watch the video and find out.

Get the Flash Player to see this video.

Training for European SSR Missions

Published on 2008-12-10

On 21 October 2008, the Dutch minister of defence Eimert van Middelkoop addressed some 45 civilian and military officials from EU member states, gathered in The Hague for the first SSR training course of the European Security Defence College. An initiative of the Netherlands in collaboration with France, the course was organised by the Netherlands Defence College (NDL), which also provided the venue and the catering, and the Institut des hautes études de défense nationale (IHEDN) in Paris. NDC and IHEDN delegated most of the course development and the teaching to CESS. At their request, CESS also compiled a comprehensive teaching pack in English and French for use in future courses. Our trainers (Michael Ashkenazi, Sami Faltas, Kees Homan and Bauke Snoep) ran four parallel sessions, with the assistance of Ritske Bloemendaal, Merijn Hartog and Erik Sportel.

Democratic Governance Training in Kazakhstan

Published on 2008-09-24

Within the framework of Starlink Kazakhstan Programme from 8-10 and from 11-13 September 2008 (in Astana and Alamaty, respectively), CESS organized two training courses on Democratic Governance in the Security Sector: Defence. These courses were meant to broaden the understanding of democratic governance issues by Kazakhstani citizens, both military and civil representatives. One of the opening speeches was delivered by Mr. Zhovtis, Director of the CESS partner institute, the Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights and Rule of Law, who attached great importance to this course. He said, that “traditionally, security sector authorities, such as Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Interior, or National Security Committee, are very closed. It is prerogative of the Government to know what is happening within. But the world is changing and now it is impossible to imagine the functioning of these institutions without civil assistance”.

Moldovan Parliamentarians visit The Hague

Published on 2008-06-10

From 18 to 21 April 2008 a Moldovan delegation of elected members of parliament visited The Hague for the concluding seminar in the Moldovan Parliamentary Program, which was held to present and discuss the main conclusions of the draft Expert Report. After arrival on the 18th, the delegation was given the opportunity to relax during a sea-sight lunch on the beach of Scheveningen. In the evening the seminar was officially opened with drinks and dinner at the famous Kurhaus.