Session 8: Privatization of Security in Transforming Societies – Main Challenges to Democratic Governance
Presentation of the results of region-wide research
In partnership with the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of Armed Forces DCAF
The number of private security companies (PSCs) is growing steadily in the countries of the Western Balkans. Some PSCs have taken over tasks previously performed by state security forces. While most countries do have laws that regulate the activities of PSCs, we rarely discuss what role PSCs ought to have in national security structures and what their involvement in ensuring national and human security should be like. To answer these questions one has to know more about how these companies work, how governments and legislators can ensure that PSCs help to make our lives more, not less secure and how we can we ensure that our safety needs do not become secondary to commercial considerations.
International and national experts will discuss these issues in a panel that will address the following questions
1. What are the responsibilities of the state that hires PSCs?
2. Are public procurement rules and regulations helping to ensure a good delivery of security?
3. How can PSCs and state actors work better together to ensure the delivery of quality security?
4. What are the opportunities of Public private partnerships and what are the main obstacles when we speak of PSCs and police?
Speakers:
Rositsa Dzhekova‚ Coordinator, Security Program, Center for the Study of Democracy, Sofia
Nataša R. Ignjatović‚ Superintendent of Department for monitoring and oversight of private security and detectives in Police Department and Head Police Advisor
Branimir Bekić‚ Security Director/CSO, Vojvodjanska banka member of NBG group
Moderator: Alan Bryden‚ Assistant Director and Head of the Public-Private Partnerships Division, Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control and Armed Forces (DCAF)