The Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP) and the International Affairs Institute (IAI), in the framework of the Young Women and Next Generation Initiative (YWNGI) cordially invite you to a webinar entitled “Conventional Weapons diversion: challenges and initiatives to counter illicit trafficking”. The event will feature a lecture by Dr. Nils Duquet, Director at the Flemish Peace Institute. He will speak about the diversion of Conventional Weapons and how such weapons, during their lifecycles, happen to be diverted from the legal trade into the illicit domain. Nils Duquet will also address the existing international normative frameworks and initiatives aiming at combating the illicit proliferation of such weapons. The event will take place online on Zoom on 15 April 2025 from 16:30 to 17:30 (CEST). Students and young specialists interested in learning more about the field of non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament are particularly encouraged to attend. The event will be held in English. We kindly ask you to RSVP via the online registration form: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ZvIGS_bFQim4_YVC7nosEA

Tentative agenda

  16.00: Welcome remarks and introduction  Federica Dall’Arche, Senior Research Associate, VCDNP Speaker Nils Duquet, Director, Flemish Peace Institute 17.15 Q&A 17.45 Meeting Ends

Background

  The Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP) and The International Affairs Institute (IAI), in the framework of the EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament (EUNPD) Consortium have launched a Young Women and Next Generation Initiative (YWNGI), an initiative to encourage young women and the next generation to enter the non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament field. Driven by the widely shared awareness of the persistent age and gender imbalances among experts and practitioners in the non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament field, the Young Women and Next Generation Initiative aims to help address such imbalances by exposing college and university level students to arms control issues, increasing awareness and encouraging participation in events and workshops. The initiative also aims to respond to the very limited offering of relevant courses on WMD issues in colleges and universities at undergraduate and master’s level. The goal is to help students understand how to pursue a career in the field, making the best use of their own skills. The Initiative includes the creation of a mentorship programme, the conveying of workshops and meetings, and the organization of outreach visits at universities. The YWNGI is possible thanks to the generous support of the European Union. Download the PDF

The Istituto Affari Internazionali is pleased to invite you on March 18th, 2025 at 5 p.m. CET to the upcoming webinar dedicated to the launch event of The European Union's Nuclear Non-proliferation Policy, the third book in the Trends and Perspectives in International Politics series, edited by IAI for Routledge. The event aims to give selected speakers and the public a fruitful occasion to understand the development and performance of the EU’s nuclear governance policies as crucial for assessing its role as a Normative Power. The author Manuel Herrera, along with Professor Clara Portela will provide an analysis of the intricacy of its evolving non-proliferation policy, shedding light on the complexities of European nuclear diplomacy. Click here to register.    

On 18 February 2025, the VCDNP and the International Affairs Institute (IAI), in the framework of the Young Women and Next Generation Initiative (YWNGI), hosted a virtual event titled "IAEA Safeguards in Action: Implementation and the Life of a Nuclear Inspector." The event featured Eva Gyane, WiN for Peace Leader at Women in Nuclear (WiN) Global and former nuclear safeguards inspector at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Ms. Gyane provided an insightful overview of the IAEA’s safeguards system, detailing the technical measures used to verify that nuclear material is not diverted for military purposes. She also shared personal experiences from her time as an IAEA nuclear safeguards inspector, highlighting the challenges and rewards of the profession. Ms Gyane shared first-hand insights from inspections conducted at various facilities worldwide, explaining how inspectors have different tools at their disposal and apply different verification techniques. The discussion highlighted the demanding nature of being a nuclear safeguards inspector, including extensive travel, working in high-security environments, and managing complex technical verifications. At the same time, Ms. Gyane highlighted the exciting opportunities and rewards that come with this unique job and provided an overview of opportunities for young professionals in the field, encouraging them to explore careers in nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. The session concluded with an interactive Q&A, where participants engaged with Ms. Gyane on topics ranging from the evolution of IAEA safeguards to the impact of emerging technologies on nuclear verification. The event also included a quiz segment, reinforcing key points discussed throughout the session.  This event was made possible thanks to the generous support of the European Union. About the Young Women and Next Generation Initiative (YWNGI) The YWNGI, an initiative by the VCDNP and IAI within the framework of the EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium (EUNPDC), aims to inspire young women and the next generation to explore careers in non-proliferation, arms control, and disarmament. The initiative provides mentorship, workshops, and outreach opportunities to address gender and age imbalances in the field. More information about the Young Women and Next Generation Initiative (YWNGI) and the Mentorship Programme can be found below: Mentorship Programme Young Women and Next Generation Initiative (YWNGI)