10 Years BICC Content

Foreword by Sverre Lodgaard, Director of the Norwegian 4 Institute of International Affairs (NUPI)

Address of welcome to the guests by BICC‘s Director, 6 Peter J. Croll

Speech by the Federal President, 10

Address by Hannelore Kraft, State Minister for Science 16 and Research, North Rhine-Westphalia

Speech by Bärbel Dieckmann, Mayoress of the City of Bonn 21

Address by Erich Stather, State Secretary at the Federal 23 Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development

BICC at a glance 27

BICC would like to thank ... 28

Published by © BICC, Bonn 2004 Bonn International Center for Conversion Director: Peter J. Croll Publishing Management, Layout: Svenja Bends An der Elisabethkirche 25 D-53113 Bonn Phone +49-228-911960 Fax +49-228-241215 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.bicc.de Printed in Germany All rights reserved 2 1994 - 2004

10 Years BICC

Speeches on the occasion of the festive celebration of BICC’s 10th anniversary at the Haus der Geschichte in Bonn, 2 April 2004

3 Foreword by Sverre Lodgaard, Director of the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI)

hen wars end, periods of The “gründers” had worked at the Wopportunity follow. Then, societies Stockholm International Peace Research have been so thoroughly shaken that the Institute, SIPRI. The SIPRI Yearbook is a lessons of the past are rendered leading publication on security, irrelevant. Policies are shaped all the armaments and disarmament. First more freshly and freely on the basis of published in 1996, BICC’s annual current events. BICC grew out of such conversion survey soon won a similar status. a period—the end of the Cold War. A standard feature of the Survey is The Cold War had its epicenter in BICC’s conversion, disarmament, Europe. When it went away, the demilitarisation and demobilization transformation challenge was most index, combining four series of data: profound in this part of the world. It military expenditures; holdings of was logical, therefore, to establish a selected weapon systems; armed forces center for conversion studies in Central personnel; and employment in arms Europe. The Government of North production. Rhine-Westphalia seized the opportunity. Post-war periods of opportunity do not Starting in 1994, BICC soon became an last long, however. In his memoirs— institution of excellence. In an Unvanquished. A UN-US saga, Boutros entrepreneurial spirit, a dedicated staff Ghali identifies Dayton as the turning developed a productive, innovative point, when the UN representative was research profile. By now, two demonstrably put aside. From the mid evaluations have confirmed the quality 1990s, big power relations became more of its research and the efficiency of its strained again; reductions in world organization. military expenditure grinded to a halt and then turned upwards; and consequently, in gross terms the

4 conversion agenda shrunk. The regional To remain a leading institution in its variations remain considerable, however. field, there is a high price tag on For BICC’s expanding international pioneering work and on reports and profile, leading far beyond Europe, advice that translate into practical utility. there is no lack of challenging tasks. It For all of BICCs activities are ultimately has been gratifying to follow BICC’s geared towards the promotion of cooperation with the United Nations: societal objectives. In terms of its the Center has made substantial definition of conversion, the aim is to contributions to UN activities in several maximize the societal benefits that can fields. be gained from civilianization of military processes, functions, structures During the Balkan wars, it became clear and objects. that civilian casualties could not simply be treated in terms of collateral It is an honor to chair the International damage. Often, civilians were Advisory Board of this institution. themselves the main targets. A distinction was therefore drawn between the security of states and the security of people. That distinction was taken further to become the concept of human security, where the individual is the unit of account. Today, BICC’s mission statement emphasizes that the Center “seeks to combine concerns of national security in a narrow sense with those of human security in a broad sense”.

5 Address of welcome to the guests by BICC’s Director Peter J. Croll

r President, In particular, I would like to address my M State Secretary Stather, special thanks to you, Mr President. Minister Kraft, Twelve years ago at the UN Conference Mayoress Dieckmann of the Federal in Dortmund you spoke the following City of Bonn, words on the topic of ‘conversion’: Ladies and Gentlemen of the “Conversion—originally a concept Diplomatic Corps, devised by experts for experts—can possibly become a key watchword for State Secretary Krebs, Chairman of the decade ...” It was at this conference BICC’s Supervisory Board, that you, together with the then Deputy Mr Helmke, Chairman of BICC’s Secretary-General of the United International Board, Nations, Kofi Annan, laid the foundations for our Center. We are Ladies and Gentlemen, most grateful to you. honored guests, esteemed colleagues, My thanks also go to Ms Anke Brunn. Since taking over as Director of BICC, Today is a great day for us, the Bonn I have heard a lot about your untiring International Center for Conversion. efforts which, despite some opposition, Not only because we are celebrating our finally led to the founding of BICC. birthday, but also because you have all found the time join us in our And, of course, I would like to thank celebrations. As Director of BICC, I my predecessor, Professor Wulf, as well would like to welcome you. I am as our research head and deputy delighted that, despite your many other director Michael Brzoska, and my commitments, you are taking the time to colleagues for their services to BICC. I celebrate BICC’s tenth anniversary with know that your path was often stony. I us today. We see this as a clear indication would like to take this opportunity once of your esteem and this gives us the strength and the courage to face the future. 6 more to thank you all for your decade of disarmament, many crucial exemplary dedication. problems were not solved, particularly the problem of poverty in the world. Without your personal commitment, At the beginning of the 21st century, Minister Kraft, and the staunch support humankind is seven times richer than at of your staff, we would not be in the the end of the Second World War. But, position to maintain and expand our at the same time, the number of people reputation as a “global market leader”. who have to manage with less than one US dollar a day is rising. New problems Mayoress Dieckmann, we bear the have gained importance. Let me name of your city in the title of our mention international terrorism as just center. It fills us with pride and pleasure one example. that you have always supported us and that this year the Federal City of Bonn Mr President, you have recently returned has even chosen us as its partner from a trip to Africa. Nowhere else in organization. My thanks go to you and this world are despair and war, your team. anticipation and hope so close together. We are convinced that conversion in the Mr Stather, may I thank your Ministry in traditional sense still retains its great lieu of all the other partners who have significance in the 21st century. accompanied us over the last ten years and with whom we enjoy close and Our central field of work at BICC is trusting cooperation and with whom we the reduction of military force, also have lots of plans for the future diminishing its means and ensuring the efficient civil use of the resources thus Mr President, unfortunately conversion released. In the past, this has meant in did not become the watchword for the particular supporting those players in nineties to the extent for which we had hoped. Although these years were a

7 Germany, but also in Eastern Europe, bodily harm as well as having sufficient who are active in adapting former food and a secure economic existence. military properties or diversifying arms Here we see ourselves continuing in the production. tradition of . He coined the term “securing survival”. And we also But, from the very beginning, BICC has see ourselves continuing in the tradition also applied its expertise in other regions of the former member of our of the world, wherever we were International Board, the late Mahbub ul- needed: in other words, primarily in the Haq, who invented the term “human conflict regions of this world. Fourteen security”. We can and we intend to years after the end of the Cold War, contribute to this in particular with our after a long decade of disarmament, expertise. tackling the effects of war has become one of our main areas of activity. We As an international think tank, we can are thus providing our contribution to analyze, criticize, think ahead, anticipate, consolidating peace and preventing and warn. It is our task to “facilitate conflicts. In future, we want to extend peace and development”. We can this area of activity still further and to develop theories and concepts, indicate place the Center’s work on three pillars: alternatives and options, just as we have These are classical conversion, conflict done, for example, with the topic of prevention and peace consolidation. civil-military cooperation and controls on small arms. The aim of BICC’s analyses, counseling and practical projects is to provide a In the course of yesterday and this contribution to a more peaceful and just morning we have discussed important world in which all people can enjoy a topics for our work with many high degree of security. Security in this internationally renowned colleagues and context means both freedom from have been able to learn a lot for our further work.

8 Whether decision-makers in politics, industry and society will actually take up these proposals, on which we also offer our advisory support, is a matter on which we have no direct influence.

Conversion ultimately is simply change, including a change in behavior, a change in mindset. This is more necessary than ever in view of today’s warlike conflicts, “the new wars”. Let me just remind you of the latest news from Kosovo.

More than ever before, we need intellectual conversion, a conversion which tackles ideological intolerance, in which force plays a lesser role and which distributes global wealth more equally.

Without well thought-out conversion there can be no security and without security there can be no sustainable development.

Thank you for your attention.

9 Speech by the Federal President, Johannes Rau

he village of Moreshet is situated During the first years of its existence in Tnot far from Jerusalem, between particular, the Bonn International Center the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The for Conversion helped to enable many Prophet Micah came from Moreshet. military resources to be used for civilian He is known for the words: “They will purposes. The establishment of the hammer their swords into ploughshares, Center for Conversion was an their spears into sickles. Nation will not expression of the will to reap the lift sword against nation, there will be no benefits of the peace dividend. I would more training for war.” like to extend my warmest thanks to all the staff at BICC for everything that “Swords into ploughshares”: they have done within their powers. A sculpture depicting just this stands in Through your personal commitment, front of the United Nations building in your vision and creativity, you have been New York extremely successful in a completely new—and in those days virtually “Swords into ploughshares”: unresearched—area. This was the motto of the peace movement in the GDR. The nineties were a decade of disarmament. World-wide military Today the GDR no longer exists, and expenditure fell by one-third from 1987 the Iron Curtain is fortunately mere to 1996. The number of large-scale history. But what has happened to the weapons systems dropped considerably. swords and the ploughshares? The end The number of soldiers fell sharply. The of the East-West conflict made us all nineties also saw significant progress in hope for a more peaceful world and arms control policy: Chemical weapons for a peace dividend which would were outlawed in 1997, and anti- benefit people in all states. personnel mines have been outlawed since January 1, 1999.

10 All this can be read in the various Instead they are spending a lot of treaties, and it is a good thing that many money on research into so-called states have signed these treaties. But “intelligent” mines. these agreements will only take effect in the future. In many cases, the present Even today, nobody knows precisely remains daunting and frightening. which states are conducting research into chemical and biological weapons. It is My wife recently visited Cambodia as almost impossible to detect such UNICEF patron. According to laboratories using conventional methods estimates by the United Nations, of arms control. Arms control and approximately ten million landmines still verification have not made the same lie buried in this country: one landmine progress as arms research. This is for every citizen. Every year, more than dangerous, and this is why I say: We 5,000 Cambodians are killed or maimed need a new effort in the field of arms by mines and other explosives. control and disarmament. We could Cambodia is the country with the continue from our positive experiences highest proportion of leg-amputees. with START I, START II and with the Experts estimate that there have been CSE Treaty. 100,000 victims of landmines world- wide over the last five years. · But we need new and more efficient means to control arms and It costs less than five Euro to produce a disarmament. landmine. Its deactivation costs 1,000 Euro. Everyone who bears political · We need organizations which are in responsibility anywhere in the world is a financial and technical position to familiar with these figures. Nevertheless, fulfil this task efficiently and reliably. even large countries have not signed the treaty outlawing landmines to date.

11 · We need international arms control Many states have reacted to this loss of regimes which are strong and safety by increasing their military assertive. strength. Experts from the London research institute VERTIC say that, · We need more effective controls on although there are fewer weapons today the international trade in weapons, than ten years ago, the increase in the including the trade in small arms. quality of today’s weapons has in many cases more than made up for the · We need, at long last, a reduction in quantity during the nineties. comprehensive and effective ban on The plans for a space-based anti-missile landmines, a ban which is accepted system would seem to me to be world-wide, and evidence of the mistaken belief that security can be achieved by military · we need a strengthening of means alone. international law. Nobody will seriously question the fact September 11, 2001 was a turning point that establishing security is—and must— in world politics. We are all repeatedly be one of any state’s highest objectives. reminded of the terrible pictures of that Nobody will question the fact that day. We were all joint witnesses of international terrorism is one of the murderous violence such as the world greatest threats to world peace since the has never seen outside of war. end of the East-West conflict. But as important as capable military power The world has become less safe since may be, anyone who relies on this alone September 11. Anyone who did not and on more armaments is doomed to want to believe this was taught worse by failure. the atrocious attacks in Madrid on March 11.

12 The CSCE process has taught us that We know that environmental confidence, arms control and destruction, disease and ever-scarcer disarmament are a more reliable basis natural resources are more and more for peace and for international security frequently becoming the source of than rearmament and the arms race. conflicts. Nowadays, many people Despite the real threat posed by assume that water shortage could international terrorism, we must take become the principal cause of conflict care to ensure that by overreacting we throughout the world. Industrial ourselves do not jeopardize what we are countries in particular can, and must, seeking to protect: our own freedom contribute their know-how, their and our free order. experience and also their money to preventing a global battle over “blue I am convinced that the current situation gold”. demands that we strengthen international cooperation in the field of It is encouraging that BICC is now also peace and security. This involves close analyzing the causes of this conflict and collaboration, not only where the use of is able to offer all the interested parties military force appears unavoidable, but advice and active support. also where disarmament, arms control and, most important of all, conflict We need the courage to speak prevention are concerned. unpleasant truths and we need a strong international community of states which Crises and conflicts are not solely the is both capable of conducting a result of fanatical terrorists or militant dialogue and able to act. Anyone who states. We know that war leads to banks on armaments alone and neglects poverty, misery and hunger. But we also cooperation in the field of development know that hunger, misery, injustice and runs the risk of exacerbating those lack of hope can lead to violence and conflicts which he really wanted to solve war. We must employ political means to or contain. break this vicious circle.

13 We must strengthen people’s mutual prevention almost always remains understanding—both within countries largely invisible to the general and across national borders. The fight public? against hunger, poverty and the destruction of the environment is an · Is it due to the fact that military important part of international peace logic seems so simple, whereas the policy, a policy which is based on logic of prevention is so much achieving practical results for the people more difficult to communicate? concerned. · Or is it simply that a war is assumed In 2002, military expenditure worldwide to be inevitable, whereas preventive amounted to approximately US $880 measures require substantiation and billion. The highly industrialized thus appear questionable? countries accounted for the major part of this expenditure. According to I am convinced that we must all devote official figures, the cost of the Iraq war much more energy as well as financial to date amounts to approximately sixty funds to solving conflicts by civilian billion dollars. The availability of money means, or at least containing them. We does not play a role in this war. need more courage to employ civility.

Why is it so easy to finance wars and The idea of an international conversion why is it so infinitely difficult to spend center in Bonn was born in 1992 at a money on avoiding conflicts? United Nations conference in Dortmund. The initiative dates back to a · Is it due to the fact that military time of great political upheaval. actions are so highly visible on our Unfortunately many of the hopes that TV screens, whereas conflict we nurtured at the time have not been fulfilled. The peace dividend was smaller

14 than we had hoped for. Moreover, it I wish all the staff at the Bonn did not materialize to the same extent in International Center for Conversion all states. And the cost of conversion every success in their difficult work. was often higher than expected. The They are doing their part to ensure that centers of conflict and the causes of our world becomes a more peaceful conflict have changed. Unfortunately, the and humane place. I would like to once world has not become a more peaceful again extend my thanks. I wish you all place. the very best for the future.

But when old concepts no longer function, it is all the more important to develop new ideas. BICC has taken this path with remarkable success. The United Nations World Development Report already spoke of the concept of “human security” in 1994. “Human security” is more than a military factor. “Human security” also denotes the threat facing people due to poverty, sickness and violence of all types.

I am convinced that the subject of conversion will continue to be important for many states in future and that BICC will help wherever it can. I am also convinced that the more comprehensive concept of “human security” will—and must—become increasingly significant for BICC’s work.

15 Address by Hannelore Kraft, State Minister for Science and Research, North Rhine-Westphalia

r Federal President, The diverse problems associated with MMayoress Dieckmann, arms conversion will continue to occupy State Secretary Stather, us for a very long time to come. And Mr Croll, new questions are arising, which were Ladies and Gentlemen, not visible at the end of the Cold War. Tackling these questions preventively is Anniversaries are always an occasion to an enormous challenge and a political draw a balance and look back—but also necessity. to look ahead and to ask what is to be done for the future and whether one is Today we speak of asymmetrical wars: properly equipped for the task. As far as Strongly armed and extremely organized the past is concerned, you all know how high-tech armies are being confronted we were taken by surprise by the sudden with terrorist networks with unclear end of the Cold War—and with it the structures and relatively simple weapons. problems of adapting people and Analyzing these new questions is part of production to meet the needs of peace. BICC’s research profile.

And you all know that, unfortunately, I am sure that you will agree with me the struggle for peace has proved to be that today, more than ever, we need such an enduring task in our times. places of dialogue and discourse below the political level. During the Cold War, two military alliances faced one another. Since After all: Conversion research is to a September 11, we have lost the hope certain extent a life science, whose that the world will become safer and less significance we cannot emphasize prone to conflict following the end of strongly enough. We need this science to that confrontation. be able to shape our world and to make it a more peaceful place.

16 You will also know that sound political It is respected throughout the world, not advice is characterized by knowledge, only in specialist circles of conversion interdisciplinarity, the ability to cooperate and peace research. Governments and and practical orientation. non-governmental organizations are also among BICC’s users and ‘clients’. I am all the more delighted that a few weeks ago, in my capacity as Minister of BICC’s undisputed reputation in the Science and Research, I had the fields of politics and research is only opportunity to present the results of the partly due to the unique concept behind second evaluation of the Bonn this institution and the topicality of the International Center for Conversion to issues it deals with. It is primarily the the public. result of the Center’s high level of competence and the professionalism of The evaluation report states among its studies and its staff. other things: The evaluation report states that BICC “BICC is an essential provider of ideas, has even been able to enhance its a sound research center, an position as international market leader. acknowledged service pool and a universally respected institution in the As Science Minister, this is something service of tackling violence by that I like to hear and I admit that I am prevention, constructive conflict more than a little proud of this settlement and the sustainable shaping of achievement. peace.” I would like to take this opportunity to In the ten years since it was founded, say that, unfortunately, the current BICC has developed to become an discussion on elite universities in outstanding research institute which Germany often overlooks the fact that enjoys an excellent position by international comparison.

17 we in Germany already lead the field in Work at BICC began just two years after many areas. the conference. Its patrons were Kofi Annan—the then Deputy Secretary- I cannot conceive a better location than General of the United Nations—and the Bonn for such a center of competence. Prime Minister of North Rhine- I am therefore delighted that this year Westphalia at the time, today’s Federal the City of Bonn and BICC have President Johannes Rau. entered into a partnership. I am therefore particularly pleased to This once again underlines the have an opportunity today to thank the attractiveness of Bonn as an international man without whose vision and courage city of science and research and as a BICC would never have been founded: place for political dialogue. It also our very honorable Federal President underscores the close relations between Johannes Rau. the city and its scientific institutions. It is by no means normal practice for a As you, Lady Mayoress, recently said, federal state to set up an institution of one cannot imagine Bonn without BICC this nature. Dealing with military “as an important element of Bonn’s structures and tackling the economic, ‘international family’ ”. social and ecological consequences of armaments are considered to be rather The participants at a UN conference on the responsibility of the federal conversion as a chance for development government. and the environment were thinking along similar lines back in 1992. Their idea was But in those days there was no federal taken up and implemented by the state conversion program—and if there had government of North Rhine-Westphalia been, this center would never have been at the time. founded.

18 Prime Minister Rau had the Mayoress, Bärbel Dieckmann, for always wholehearted support of my having an open ear for BICC’s predecessor, Anke Brunn, and her State problems, whether they be big or small. Secretary at the time, Dr Konow. And I consider it a particular mark of But we should not forget the real distinction that BICC has been chosen as “doers” behind BICC: the founding the City of Bonn’s international partner director, Professor Dr Herbert Wulf, organization for the year 2004. and his successor, Peter Croll, as well as Dr Michael Brzoska, who as deputy to Whether one looks at the Center for both directors and head of research has European Research and European ensured continuity to this day. Integration Studies at Bonn University or at the UN institutions: Bonn has You and the numerous members of continued to strengthen its profile as a BICC’s staff make BICC so exceptional. first-rate international city of science.

Please excuse me if I cannot mention by It is well on the way to asserting itself as name all the many ‘helping hands’ who a UN city in Europe, alongside Vienna have contributed to BICC’s growth—be and Geneva, and as an important venue it our co-trustees, particularly the North for international political discourse. Rhine-Westphalian Landesbank, the BICC, too, is making an important members of the founding committee contribution in this area. during the setting-up phase, or the many public institutions. A good deal has already been achieved—with the help of the federal However, I would like to make one government, be it the Ministry of exception as far as the City of Bonn is Education and Research or the Ministry concerned and to thank the City’s Lady

19 of Economic Cooperation and Development, not to forget Harald Ganns, the Special Representative of the Federal Foreign Office. I am thinking in particular of the Research and Training Center of the United Nations University, the Secretariat for the Global Water System Project and the “Early Warning Secretariat”, which is in the process of moving to Bonn from Geneva.

I would like to assure you that the Land of North Rhine-Westphalia will do everything in its power to continue along this successful path.

20 Speech by Bärbel Dieckmann, Mayoress of the City of Bonn

r Federal President, members of BICC’s staff. I have been MMinister Kraft, present at talks in which individual State Secretary Stather, members of staff have presented their Mr Croll, projects and areas of work—and it was Ladies and Gentlemen, obvious from every single one of these talks and from every single one of these “Peace is the masterpiece of reason.” presentations just how committed these Immanuel Kant’s words confirm that at members of staff are. Minister Kraft, the end of the Cold War it was our we paid our last visit to BICC together. desire and our duty to deal with I am sure that you, too, sensed this great conversion from the academic dedication. It is something very special standpoint. The fact that the City of when people devote themselves to Bonn became the seat of this institution securing peace in the world. And I must and that the Bonn International Center say that I was not at all surprised that the for Conversion bears the name of our recent evaluation of BICC proceeded city in its title is particularly pleasing. And so smoothly. I was convinced from the we, the people of Bonn, are especially very start that you are a distinguished delighted that you, Mr President, as research and advisory center. BICC’s founder patron, are once again here in Bonn today. Minister Kraft has BICC is of special importance for Bonn just described how close the in the light of the city’s profile for the establishment of BICC was to your future: after all Bonn has an international heart. profile—and BICC, too, works with international members of staff I have visited BICC on several occasions throughout the world. But, of course, in the ten years during which I have held BICC also matches the City of Bonn’s office. I would therefore like to sincerely profile in the field of science and thank you, Dr Wulf, and you, Mr research. In other words, you exactly fit Croll—but also the many dedicated into our structure. And here I am also

21 thinking of the UN institutions which I would like to wish you all the best for have their seats in Bonn and which also the future. I wish us all a good year as concern themselves with important partners for we have a lot of joint questions of the future, such as climate events ahead of us—from an open day protection, voluntary work or water, for at the Old Town Hall to the UNO talks example. on October 22. And I also hope that this year the people of Bonn will be It was therefore only natural that we able to get to know their BICC even should select BICC as our partner better and learn to appreciate its work organization for 2004. You are now the even more. fifth organization in Bonn with which we have enjoyed a one-year Many thanks. partnership— following on from UNICEF, the United Nations Volunteers, the Deutsche Welthungerhilfe and the Deutscher Entwicklungsdienst. You can see this year’s logo on the upper right behind me: This year the City of Bonn will be sending out 1.4 million letters with this logo. I must admit that some of these will be parking tickets, that is to say not always welcome post. Nevertheless, it is my hope that this logo will provide the recipients with a little comfort despite the not so positive content of their mail.

22 Address by Erich Stather, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development

r President, resources which had been released MMayoress Dieckmann, through disarmament. Terms such as Mr Croll, the “new world order” were an Members of Staff at the Bonn expression of the widespread hope that, International Center for Conversion, following the end of the Cold War, we Ladies and Gentlemen, were now at the beginning of a new, more peaceful, age. Many thanks for the invitation to this But let us be honest: Most politicians, ceremony which I was delighted to most experts did not think that 10 to 15 accept as representative of the Federal years later we would be living in a Ministry for Economic Cooperation world full of confusion which would and Development. Federal Minister be confronting us with a whole load of Heidemarie Wieczorek-Zeul would very challenges in the shape of international much have liked to have been here terrorism, collapsing states, internal wars today and to have spoken to you and the changed threat of weapons of personally. She has asked me to pass on mass destruction. her warm greetings and wishes BICC continued success in its work in the These challenges all have one thing in future. common: Their solutions all involve withdrawing the destructive potential Ladies and Gentlemen, the field of from the military and transforming it work of the Bonn International Center into a civilian potential which can create for Conversion is perhaps even more peace and stability. Let me put it this relevant and crucial today than it was ten way: In the face of the challenges of years ago when the Center was our age, conversion means the founded. Let us recall: At the beginning civilization of conflicts. of the nineties we were debating the so- called “peace dividend” and considering how to make constructive use of the

23 The tasks are huge. A few figures make and emphasize that the Federal Ministry this very clear: in 2001, the Net Official for Economic Cooperation and Development Assistance of the 22 Development too sees in BICC, which countries of the Development was founded in 1994 under the Assistance Committee amounted to a patronage of the then Deputy Secretary- substantial US $52.3 billion. General of the United Nations, Kofi Nevertheless, more than half the people Annan, and the then Prime Minister of in the world live in poverty. The same North Rhine-Westphalia, Johannes Rau, year, worldwide military expenditure a highly qualified research and advisory amounted to US $805 billion (almost institution, whose work we would not 600 billion of which were spent by the want to do without. industrial nations), that is to say more than 15 times the figure for From the very start, the Bonn development assistance. This figure is International Center for Conversion was not least so huge because every year it open to new questions within the serves to finance numerous wars— meaning of an extended concept of 26 last year. security. The Center’s name is synonymous with its program. Today, Ladies and Gentlemen, the previous questions relating to BICC’s wide field speakers have already paid tribute to the of activities are also of particular work of the Bonn International Center interest to development policy-makers. for Conversion. BICC’s involvement in For example: How can military the annual Friedensgutachten, which has resources be used wisely for civilian become an essential reference work for purposes? And: What paths can former many people, is just one product of the members of the military and civil war Center’s work which deserves special combatants take to become reintegrated mention here. I would like to endorse in civilian society? the positive assessment of BICC’s work

24 The field of conflict prevention has reform. BICC presents itself as an begun to play an increasingly important important provider of advice and ideas role in BICC’s work. This area is also in all these areas. important for the work of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to and Development—after all violent emphasize that the Federal Ministry for conflicts and armed struggles serve to Economic Cooperation and considerably undermine the chances of Development is able to look back on success of all efforts towards many years of successful cooperation development. Crisis prevention and with the Bonn International Center for non-violent conflict management are Conversion. One example here is the therefore essential components of important field of small arms control: successful development cooperation. During the United Nations Conference The Federal Government has reacted to on Small Arms in 2003, BICC these challenges. Within the framework organized a workshop on behalf of the of our development cooperation, we Federal Government on the subject of aim to contribute towards preventing “Training Programs for Developing conflicts and consolidating peace in Countries and Small Arms Control”, post-conflict situations. Apart from inter alia in collaboration with the shaping our measures to be sensitive Federal Ministry for Economic towards conflicts and promoting good Cooperation and Development and the governance, our instruments include in GTZ. This workshop met with a very particular programs to control small positive response and provided arms and to demobilize and reintegrate approaches for improving programs former combatants in civilian life. In for small arms control. In the course of addition, there are new approaches the next few years BICC will now within the field of security sector develop training and further training programs on behalf of the Federal

25 Ministry for Economic Cooperation field of concern: Reducing weapons of and Development. These programs will all kinds, settling conflicts peacefully, be embedded in the country specific securing peace and enabling sustainable and development policy context. development.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the interlocking On this note, I would like to wish all the of security policy and development members of staff at the Bonn Internati- policy will increase in future—of this I onal Center for Conversion all the best am convinced. The example of Afgha- and every success! nistan shows how important it is to Thank you for your attention. coordinate foreign policy, security policy and development policy measures in an unsteady initial situation. As I stressed earlier, it is important to understand conversion as the civilization of conflicts. Or in the words of Peter Croll: “Conversion is more necessary than ever in order to achieve a greater degree of human security.”

The Bonn International Center for Conversion will therefore continue to see considerable demand for its research and advisory skills in future. I would like to take this opportunity to specifically welcome the funding by the Land of North Rhine-Westphalia and the partner city of Bonn. I have no doubts whatsoever that BICC will continue to provide important stimuli in our joint

26 BICC at a glance

ICC is an independent, non-profit collection programs, the Center aims to Borganization dedicated to promoting contribute, among other things, to the peace and development through the efficient development of concepts of security sector and effective transformation of military- reform with an emphasis on civilmilitary related structures, assets, functions and cooperation, increased civilian control of the processes. Having expanded its span of military, and the analysis of failed states. activities beyond the classical areas of Conflict: BICC is broadening its scope in the conversion that focus on the reuse of military field of conflict management and conflict resources (such as the reallocation of military prevention, including tensions caused by expenditures, restructuring of the defense disputes over marketable resources and industry, closure of military bases, and transboundary issues such as water. demobilization), BICC is now organizing its These three main areas of analysis are work around three main topics: arms, complemented by additional crosscutting peacebuilding and conflict. In doing this, aspects, for example, gender, pandemics, or BICC recognizes that the narrow concept of environmental protection. national security, embodied above all in the armed forces, has been surpassed by that of Along with conducting research, running global security and, moreover, that global conferences and publishing their findings, security cannot be achieved withoutseriously BICC’s international staff are also involved in reducing poverty, improving health care and consultancy, providing policy extending good governance throughout the recommendations, training, and practical world, in short: without human security in project work. By making information and the broader sense. advice available to governments, NGOs, and other public or private sector organizations, Arms: To this end, BICC is intensifying its and especially through exhibitions aimed at previous efforts in the fields of weaponry the general public, they are working towards and disarmament, not only through its very raising awareness for BICC’s key issues. While special work on small arms but also by disarmament frees up resources that can be increasing its expertise in further topics of employed in the fight against poverty, current concern such as the non-proliferation conversion maximizes outcomes through the of weapons of mass destruction, arms careful management of such transformation embargoes and new military technologies. of resources. It is in this sense that they Peacebuilding: BICC is extending its work together contribute to increasing human in the area of peacebuilding. In addition to security. examining post-conflict demobilization and reintegration of combatants and weapon-

27 BICC would like to thank ...

... the Ministry of Science and Research of North Rhine-Westphalia for its generous support

... the Stadtsparkasse Bonn and the CIC (Center for International Cooperation Bonn) for their sponsorship of the festive celebration

... the Haus der Geschichte for its support in organizing the festive celebration.

Special thanks go to the “Vielharmonie” clarinet quartet of the Bundeswehr Musikcorps for the musical accompaniment.

28 Others about BICC

»BICC has achieved an international »BICC’s development over the past ten reputation and is well recognized as a years has been remarkable and I would center of expertise in all issues of like to congratulate BICC on its conversion. Its very informative achievements in conversion-related yearbook, the conversion survey, reflects the topics and the solid reputation that the variety of BICC’s working fields. The Center has gained internationally. I fact that BICC has got the knowledge particularly appreciate the high standard and flexibility to respond to current of BICC’s work as well as the flexibility developments such as the growing in its work scope within which BICC importance of the reform of the has also been able to focus on proactive security sector by including them into its conversion topics such as conflict work scope is very much appreciated. I prevention measures. At a time when would like to emphasize that a close global military expenditure is reaching cooperation with NATO would be the alarming levels recorded during the most welcome.« Cold War, BICC’s work has special relevance to both developed and Dr Patrick Hardouin (Belgium) developing countries for urgent Deputy Assistant Secretary General for economic development needs.« Regional, Economic and Security Affairs, NATO, Brussels Jayantha Dhanapala (Sri Lanka) Former Undersecretary General, United Nations Department for Disarmament Affairs (UNDDA)

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