Alumni event: from peacekeeping to making connections for the future
On Thursday 6 May 2021, alumni of the Bachelor Security Studies (BaSS) and the Master Crisis and Security Management (CSM) were gathered in an online event arranged by the Institute of Security and Global Affairs and the study association L.S.A. Custodia.
After a warm welcome by Daan Weggemans (programme director of Security Studies), Dr. Joery Matthys (Assistant Professor at ISGA) gave the audience an update on the crisis and security field. He explained how these fields have evolved over the years and helped shape the different programmes at Leiden University.
Peacekeeping
The next speaker, Sven Koopmans (former member of the House of Representatives and peace negotiation specialist) delved more closely into the main theme of the event; Peacekeeping in the 21st Century. He shared his expertise on the topic through personal experiences, while also highlighting the difficulties when attempting to ensure and build peace in conflict areas.
Peacebuilding
After the inspiring speech by Sven Koopmans, it was time to tackle the theme of this event by the alumni panel, consisting of two CSM alumni, Tiê Franco Brotto and Nicolas Castellon, and two BaSS alumni, Louise Larsen and Giel Verhagen. They gave their interpretation of the statement: ‘Peacebuilding in the 21st century should be approached through an interdisciplinary lens’.
Networking in the future
After a brief discussion, the final stages of the event evolved into a nice conversation with several of the attendees. Everyone had a chance to talk about what they had achieved since finishing either BaSS or CSM as well as their hopes for the future.
With the promise of likewise future events, and hopefully ones that could be held in a more physical setting, Daan Weggemans ended the event by highlighting the importance of maintaining connections and networking with one another. This in order to get to know more people in the field of crisis and security. The event helped alumni to bridge connections, by meeting both old and new faces within the field.