Third Geneva Centre for Security Policy – UNRWA Scholarship Recipient Graduates – UNRWA article

Graduation of the Third GCSP-UNRWA Scholarship Recipient

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Scholarship is designed for future female leaders in Palestine, with responsibilities in the area of humanitarian practice, peace and security.

The scholarship is awarded upon the recommendation of UNRWA and, as of 2010, sponsored in full by the Government of Turkey.

The course focuses on non-traditional security issues and challenges, with the objective to promote the understanding of today’s complex challenges in peace and security. The UNRWA Scholarship amounts to CHF 12,000, covering tuition, accommodation, travel and living expenses in Geneva.

The Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) extends its sincere thanks and appreciation to the Turkish Government, which has been an active member of the GCSP Foundation Council since 2000.

Ms Amal El Batch, the Third GCSP-UNRWA Scholarship Recipient

Ms Amal El Batch of UNRWA, based in Gaza, was the third recipient of the GCSP-UNRWA Scholarship for the New Issues in Security Course (NISC), directed by Dr Khalid Koser. This scholarship is designed for future leaders in Palestine with a role in the area of peace and security.

The NISC is a three-month course that focuses on non-traditional security issues and challenges. Its objectives are to promote the understanding of today's complex challenges in peace and security and to respond cooperatively and effectively to crisis situations, based upon the ethos of human security and multilateral, multicultural teamwork engendered during the course.

This year, 29 participants from 28 different countries graduated from this course.

Ms El Batch, who graduated from the NISC on 30 June 2010, shared her views with the GCSP:

GCSP: "Why did you choose to attend the NISC?"

Ms El Batch: "It was a great chance for me to attend the NISC course so as to be aware of the transnational global threats, and to learn about the contemporary security environment and prospects for the future. Also, I was taking this course as an opportunity to interact with different cultures among the diversity of the participants and to represent the Palestinian cause and the great role of UNRWA in helping my people."

GCSP: "What is your overall opinion of the NISC and the GCSP?"

Ms El Batch: "The NISC and the GCSP are amazing organisations helping in developing the personnel’s perspective and career, giving an overview of security threats domestically, regionally and globally. Also, they help in building trust among people from different countries. The NISC and the GCSP staff are very kind and hard-working people. Furthermore, they are scientific, objective, constructive and realistic in their overview."

GCSP: "How will the NISC contribute to your professional endeavours?"

Ms El Batch: "I think that this course was very useful for me on both a professional and a personal level. I gained many practical skills in negotiation, in dealing with the media, in leadership and in team-building. Moreover, I benefited a lot from the information at hand in the course and my English language skills have improved. That is very important for my job and communication with others.

Last, I wish great success to the GCSP, the NISC and the staff. I truly hope that they will succeed in building trust among people, in implementing the means for peace, and in contributing to improve international security for human beings."