The Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) is dedicated to improving the security of states and their people within a framework of democratic governance, the rule of law and respect for human rights.
DCAF assists partner states, and international actors supporting these states, to improve the governance of their security sector through inclusive and participatory reforms based on international norms and good practices.
DCAF creates original knowledge products, promotes norms and good practices, provides policy advice, and supports capacity building of non-governmental security sector stakeholders.
Security and justice reforms are often carried out with extensive support from international actors, either through bilateral donor assistance or in the framework of cooperation with multilateral organisations. Helping bilateral and multilateral actors become better international partners in supporting SSR is a core dimension of DCAF’s work.
DCAF's advisory services support donor government and multilateral organisations through:
As one of the world’s leading centres of competence in the area of SSG/R and related matters, DCAF contributes to international discourses on development, peace and security policy, as well as to norms, standards and good practices.
DCAF’s support to policy development and good practices includes:
DCAF recognises that a democratically run, accountable and efficient security sector is fundamental to people’s livelihoods, to reducing poverty and the risk of conflict, and creating an enabling environment for sustainable development.
DCAF has identified three main avenues of work through which it can contribute to improved human and national security within a framework of democratic governance, the rule of law and respect for human rights: i) directly supporting national partners, ii) assisting international actors and iii) contributing to international policy and knowledge development in the area of good governance of the security sector.
Many states seek support from DCAF to design and implement inclusive and participatory reforms aimed at enhancing the effectiveness and accountability of security provision. DCAF’s work with national partners succeeds because its activities are driven by respect for national ownership, in-depth knowledge of local context and comparative experience from different regions.
DCAF supports national partners by:
Across all the areas below, DCAF brings extensive experience in strategic planning, programme management and understanding of the political context of SSR processes.