Future Security Trends: Implications for Human Rights

Money for Mayhem: Unpacking the New Age of Mercenaries and Private Military Companies

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Alessandro Arduino about his latest book, Money for Mayhem: Mercenaries, Private Military Companies, Drones, and the Future of War. Dr. Arduino shares his insights on the rising influence of private military contractors, particularly from China, Russia, and Turkey, and their impact on global security dynamics. He delves into the role of technology, including UAVs, in modern warfare and discusses the ethical implications of privatizing security. Join us as we explore the future trajectories of private military actors and their significance in shaping the landscape of conflict.

Building Accountability: Inside the Creation of ICoCA

In this episode, we speak with Anne-Marie Buzatu, Vice President and COO of ICT4Peace Foundation, who played a pivotal role in the development of the International Code of Conduct and the founding of ICoCA. Anne-Marie shares insights from her time as a principal architect of the initiative and reflects on the challenges faced during the creation of governance and oversight mechanisms for private security companies.

The Nyon Declaration and the Origin of ICoCA

In this episode we speak to Mark DeWitt, chief legal officer and general counsel at Gardaworld Federal Services. He was on the first intake of the ICoCA’s board of directors and played an instrumental role before the association was founded.

 

The Civil Society's Role in The Creation of The ICoCA

S2E3 - In this episode, we welcome Amol Mehra, director of industry programs at Laudes Foundation. He was one of the founding board members of ICoCA. Amol will tell us more about the process of creation of the ICoCA, and specifically, about the role that the civil society play in the process of ensuring accountability of private security companies.

The Evolution of ICoCA - The Early Years

In this episode we speak to Rémy Friedmann, Senior Advisor on Business and Human Rights at the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs who was ICoCA's first Chair of the Board of Directors and guided the Association through its early years.

The International Code of Conduct: Genesis and Negotiation Process

In this episode, we welcome Andrew Clapham, professor of international law at the Geneva Graduate Institute, and member of  ICoCA's Advisory Group. Having been involved in the development and drafting of the International Code of Conduct, he will walk us through the context, as well as the process of the negotiations that have preceded the Code's establishment. 

Agents of Chains: The Role of Responsible Recruitment in Securing Security Personnel from South Asia

After a career in the Gurkhas and Singapore Police, Ian Gordon founded his own private security company, IDG Security, an ICoCA Certified Member Company with operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, and Myanmar. So what are the pitfalls in recruiting private security personnel from South Asia, and how does Ian avoid these? We talk to Ian about the powerful role agents play, and how this is leading to third country nationals contracted as private security guards ending up as bonded labourers in many complex environments.

Resilience within International Aid and Development: Helping Humanitarians Realize Responsible Security

In the fourteenth episode of ICoCA's podcast series we talk to Mike Blyth, Chief Operating Officer at Risk and Strategic Management, Corp (RSM). With a background in the military, Mike has decades of experience helping humanitarian actors with their security needs and recently completed a PhD on the topic. We ask him about his research and what his experience working with humanitarian agencies and NGOs has taught him about how the sector approaches risk, resilience and security. 

Understanding the Private Security Sector: How Data Can Inform and Professionalize the Industry

In the 13th episode we talk to Simon Pears, Chair of the International Professional Security Association (IPSA). Simon is implementing a plan that could potentially provide IPSA with key data about the treatment of frontline security personnel around the world. So why is this important, and if successful, how might this data inform policy and practice related to the private security sector and human rights across different jurisdictions? 

Human Rights & Human Resources: The Role of Training and Vetting in Responsible Security

In the twelfth episode we talk to Stella Kagwi, Group HR Coordinator for WS Insight, an ICoCA Member Company with operations across Africa, about why and how human resource management plays such a critical role in the provision of responsible security.