Established in October 2000 on the initiative of the Swiss government, the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces (DCAF) encourages and supports States and non-State governed institutions in their efforts to strengthen democratic and civilian control of armed and security forces, and promotes security sector reform in accordance with democratic standards.

The Centre collects information and undertakes research in order to identify problems, to gather experience from lessons learned, and to propose best practices in the field of democratic governance of the security sector. The Centre provides its expertise and support, through practical work programmes on the ground, to all interested parties, in particular governments, parliaments, military authorities, international organisations, non-governmental organisations, and academic circles.

CAF is an international foundation under Swiss law. DCAF's Foundation Council is made up of 45 governments including Switzerland, 40 other Euro-Atlantic States, 3 African States, and the Canton of Geneva. The Council is headed by Ambassador Edouard Brunner, former Secretary of State of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs DCAF's International Advisory Board is composed of a group of over 60 experts in the various fields of DCAF's activity. DCAF Staff is comprised of some 50 employees coming from about 30 different nationalities. The Centre is directed by Ambassador Dr Theodor H Winkler.

Additional Materials from Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces: Working Papers