BICC secondment to the European Commission.

The Bonn International Center for Conversion has seconded Willem Jaspers to the European Commission for the duration of the EU Chairmanship of the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS). Willem Jaspers has started this new position in April and is now based in Brussels.

With his research background on the role of natural resources in civil wars and his role in the Fatal Transactions campaign, Willem will assist the EC Chair in realising its objectives - which have been grouped under the phrase 'From conflict diamonds to prosperity diamonds'. They include the strengthening of KPCS through the implementation of recommendations from the Third Year Review, better monitoring of KP rules, stronger internal controls in participating countries and increased transparency.
Furthermore, the EC wants to use KP as an active instrument for conflict prevention, in conjunction with other diplomatic and political tools. Although it is not, as such, an instrument for development, the Kimberley Process can support development by helping governments to manage their natural resources effectively and by reducing incentives for criminality and corruption. It can complement other international initiatives that promote good governance of natural resources.

For more information on KPCS, see www.kimberleyprocess.com
For more information on the EU and the Kimberley Process, click here
Willem Jaspers can be contacted via jaspers@bicc.de, or willem.jaspers@ec.europa.eu