A Live Event on "Interacting with Private Security Providers in Armed Conflict: Challenges and Opportunities" took place in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday, February 2, 2010. Professionals from around the world had the opportunity to raise questions and concerns to the panelists via the web.

The Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research, in cooperation with the US Institute of Peace, broadcast a panel of experts debating the challenges and opportunities faced by humanitarian agencies interacting with private security providers in armed conflict and natural disaster situations. In particular, experts addressed the legal, policy, and operational implications of such interactions and considered the potential developments of this cooperation. This panel took place in the context of a conference on “Global Code of Conduct for Private Security Companies and Private Military Companies” in Washington, D.C. on February 1-2, 2010.

Panelists:

Claude Bruderlein, Director, Program on Humanitarian Policy and Conflict Research
Kristi Clemens, President, Aegis Defense Services, LLC
Adele Harmer, Partner, Humanitarian Outcomes

James Cockayne et al., Beyond Market Forces: Regulating the Global Security Industry, International Peace Institute, July 2009.

Emanuela-Chiara Gillard, Business goes to war: private military/security companies and international humanitarian law, International Review of the Red Cross, Vol. 88, No. 863, pp. 525-572, September 2006.

Montreux Document on Pertinent International Legal Obligations and Good Practices for States related to Operations of Private Military and Security Companies during Armed Conflict, September 17, 2008.

Benjamin Perrin, Promoting compliance of private security and military companies with international humanitarian law, International Review of the Red Cross, Vol. 88, No. 863, pp. 613-636, September 2006. 

Abby Stoddard, Adele Harmer and Victoria DiDomenico, Private security contracting in humanitarian operations, Humanitarian Policy Group, Policy Brief 33, January 2009.

Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Draft Global Code of Conduct for Private Security Companies and Private Military Companies, January 7, 2010.

Background Materials -- General Sources

The websites of the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces and the Wilton Park Conference both provide numerous publications and other materials relating to private military companies and private security companies, as well as associated topics.