Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD)

Empowering Francophone Countries through Information Management Training in Benin Lase week we Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) successfully delivered a dedicated IMSMA training for Francophone countries engaged in humanitarian mine action. The training focused on strengthening participants’ capacity to use IMSMA Core and ArcGIS tools to collect, manage, and analyze data that supports safer and more effective demining operations. A huge thank to our IM advisors Anna Paiuc Andrew Kesterton for their valuable efforts and a very special thanks to Jérémy Repond for his outstanding support throughout this process. We also extend our gratitude to our donor Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA and Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale for their continued support and commitment, which made this initiative possible. Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD)

Voices of the GCSP: Ambassador Tobias Privitelli on 30 Years of Impact As part of the GCSP’s 30th Anniversary celebrations, we are bringing together key collaborators, partners, and distinguished guests to reflect on three decades of impact in global peace and security. In this special interview, Ambassador Tobias Privitelli, Director of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD), shares his insights on the GCSP’s role, key milestones, and future directions. Join us in celebrating 30 years of Building Peace Together. #GCSP30 #BuildingPeaceTogether

At the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) Innovation Conference 2025 in Luxembourg, Ukraine joined global experts to discuss how technology and collaboration can make mine action safer and more effective. More than 75 million people worldwide still live under the threat of explosive remnants of war — and innovation remains key to reducing these risks. The Ukrainian delegation included representatives from the Humanitarian Demining Centre, the State Emergency Service, the State Special Transport Service, and the Mine Action Office at the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine. 🇺🇦 Kateryna Drozd, Head of Innovation at the Mine Action Office, spoke at the session “Robotic Mechanization of Signal Excavation,” sharing Ukraine’s experience in developing and deploying robotic and automated systems that protect deminers and accelerate clearance. Ukraine’s innovation-driven approach shows how technology, data, and local engineering can reshape the future of humanitarian demining. #DemineUkraine

Proud moment at EODynamics. Last week our founder Charlie V. together with a close company friend, Matthew H. was recognized by Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) through an independent panel for the topic of “Risk Management in Mine Action: Quantifying Residual Risk in Land Release.” The work outlines a practical, quantitative way to estimate residual risk, communicate it to decision-makers, and drive evidence-based, auditable choices in resource-constrained programs. It reflects Charlie’s over decade of experience in EOD and our company’s focus on solutions that are practical, sustainable, and cost-effective. We’re now looking to move this from theory to practice. EODynamics is seeking mine action organizations and international development agencies interested in piloting this framework and integrating it into land release and program management. If this aligns with your mission and want to learn more, let’s connect.

✨ Innovation in Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (#EORE) takes many forms, always with the core purpose of saving lives: 🧠 Adopting social and behaviour change and design thinking approaches to identify barriers and drivers, and to create tailored, impactful messaging #SBC. 💻 Going digital, leveraging social media, AR/VR, mobile apps, and low-tech solutions (such as SMS, loudspeakers, and radio) to reach people where they are and to foster behavioural change. 🤖 Exploring open data sources, AI, and innovative information management tools to collect, analyse, and act quickly and effectively, becoming more efficient, especially during funding shortfalls and access constraints. The mix of interpersonal, mass media, and digital interventions will depend on the context. Last week in Luxembourg, Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) organized with Norwegian People's Aid / Norsk Folkehjelp Marcello Machì Marie Grené a breakout session on 'Risk education and preparedness: data-driven messaging' at the #GICHDInnovation2025 conference, followed by a two-day workshop. 🎯 Data scientists and information management experts from ACLED, International NGO Safety Organisation (INSO), and Esri, shared two days with EORE and CPP practitioners to look at how we are and can be better at leveraging open-source intelligence and recent advances in artificial intelligence and information management to enable rapid and effective evidence-based EORE and CPP interventions. We began by building mutual understanding: sharing who we are, what we do, our aims, and creating a common language beyond acronyms and technical jargon. Then, we mapped EORE/CPP data indicators, needs, sources, and analytical tools to identify gaps and opportunities to partner. This was only the beginning. 🙏 Huge thanks to all the participants, Niamh Sheehan, Philip Riding, Anna Guidi, Salim Sawaya, Folkekirkens Nødhjælp (DanChurchAid), MAG (Mines Advisory Group), Myriam Rabbath, Robin Toal, Norwegian People's Aid / Norsk Folkehjelp, Colin Bent, Wassim Ammane, Humanity & Inclusion Armed Violence Reduction, Sofia Miranda Cogollos, Frédéric Lamy, Lebanon Mine Action Center, LibMAC, Lisa Anouk Müller-Dormann, and to my GICHD colleagues Eleanor Cervigni, Henrik Rydberg, Alain Yves Nellen, Hamid IBRAHIMI, and Lubna Allam. Special thanks to Norad - Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation for their support. #EORE #AI #OpenData #HumanitarianInnovation #DesignThinking #SocialChange #RiskEducation #MineAction #GICHD

Yesterday at the GICHD Innovation Conference, we found ourselves reflecting on an intriguing question: Do mine action practitioners have a responsibility to inspire norm change? The collective answer from our panellists and audience was: “Yes — or it depends.” It all comes down to context, conflict sensitivity, and doing no harm. As practitioners, we must continue to protect and uphold the rights of the people we work with and for — keeping this at the heart of our actions and innovations. A special thanks to our amazing panellists, Rabie Al Jawashi, Karina, Clément Meynier, and Laura Scanlon, for sharing their expert insights and enriching the discussion! I loved hearing the diverse perspectives in the room — thoughtful, challenging, and full of energy. I’m excited to see how we can turn these ideas into real action! #MineAction #GICHDInnovation2025 #BehaviourChange #DesignThinking #GICHD Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) Free Fields Foundation MAG (Mines Advisory Group) Here I Am Studio