Ms Annika Hilding Norberg

Ms Annika Hilding Norberg is Head of GCSP Peace Operations and Peacebuilding (executive education and training, policy applicably research and advice, dialogue and discussion). She  serves on the Board of Directors of the International Leadership Association and on the International Advisory Council of the Geneva Peacebuilding Platform.

During Switzerland’s membership of the UN Security Council 2023-2024, Annika led GCSP’s work mandated by the Swiss Federal Department for Foreign Affairs and the Swiss Department for Defence, Civil Protection and Sports, in support of the New Agenda for Peace, the strengthening of UN peace operations and the preparations for the Summit of the Future. Leadership seminars and courses, policy applicable research on future peace operations, and the convening and facilitation of dialogues feeding into policy development, were delivered through 53 new or adapted projects/ courses/ initiatives, including 14 in cooperation with the UN Department of Peace Operations.

Prior to joining the GCSP, Annika was the Founding Director of the International Forum for the Challenges of Peace Operations (the Forum) for 21 years. The Forum is aimed at strengthening peace operations, a joint platform of 24 countries, including the five Permanent Members of the UN Security Council. Originating from when she served as President of the London School of Economics (LSE) International Relations Society, the Forum was founded in 1996 as part of her research studies at the LSE on comparative approaches to peace operations. She coordinated the Forum based at the LSE (1996-2000), the Swedish National Defence College (1997-2002) and the Folke Bernadotte Academy, an agency of the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (2003-2017).

Recent publications include co-authored Global Alliance for Peace Operations/UN Peacekeeping Ministerial Symposium in Berlin: 1) Policy Paper on Preparing for the Future – Strengthening the Impact of Peace Operations (May 2025), and 2) Policy Paper on Taking UN Peace Operations to the Next Level: Strategic Revitalization and Reinforcement of UN Military and Civilian Observers (May 2025). Ideas Notes 2030: Strategic Reflections on the Future of UN Policing, GCSP Compendium (May 2024), and UNTSO: The Role, Relevance, Function and Utility – Lessons for Future Peace Operations, EPON Study (May 2024).

Annika served on the Board of Directors for the Peace Operations Training Institute (2010-2013). She holds a Bachelor of Science in International Relations from the LSE, a Master of Arts in International Politics from the Free University of Brussels and studied languages at the Moscow State University and Universidad del Pais Vasco. She has worked and/or studied in ten countries. In 2008, she was awarded the Silver Medal of the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences for her contributions to strengthening UN peacekeeping.