SIPRI and the European Union Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium (EUNPDC) invite graduate and postgraduate students of nuclear and aerospace engineering disciplines to apply for an intensive online introductory course on the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), mechanisms to control their further spread and pathways to disarmament. The course will take place online, during four half-days on 2–5 May 2023, 14:00 to 18:00 Central European Summer Time (CEST). The course will cover the fundamentals of biological, chemical and nuclear weapons, as well as of missiles and other means of WMD delivery; threats associated with the military use of WMD and potential terrorist uses of chemical, biological, radioactive and nuclear (CBRN) material (i.e. CBRN terrorism); arms control treaties; WMD-free zones; non-proliferation treaties and means of their verification; export controls; and mechanisms aimed at achieving disarmament. The course will also discuss the role of the nuclear and aerospace industries in preventing the spread and use of nuclear weapons. The course will be instructed by renowned experts on WMD non-proliferation, arms control, disarmament, export controls, verification and related subjects from SIPRI, other European research centres, think tanks and international organizations.

 

The War in Ukraine, Authoritarian Regimes and Opportunities for the Next Generation in Non-Proliferation: VCDNP and PRCP joint event at the Charles University of Prague

On 21 April 2023, the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP) joined the Peace Research Center Prague (PRCP) in the organization of the PRCP Annual Conference at the Charles University, Faculty of Law.

The VCDNP contributed to the event as part of its outreach activity to European universities under the Young Women and Next Generation Initiative (YWNGI). The YWNGI was jointly established by the VCDNP and the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI) and within the framework of the EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium (EUNPDC) in an effort to engage the next generation in non-proliferation, disarmament and arms control.

 

The first panel of the event was dedicated to the War in Ukraine. Speakers provided an assessment one year after the start of the conflict, discussing current developments, the military strategies of both sides, as well as possible future scenarios. The panel was moderated by Michal Smetana (PRCP) and included the following speakers:

• Sir Lawrence Freedman (King’s College London)
• Nina Tannenwald (Brown University)
• Harald Müller (Peace Research Institute Frankfurt/PRCP)
• Hanna Notte (VCDNP)

From the left: Michal Smetana, Sir Lawrence Freedman, Nina Tannenwald, Hanna Notte and  Harald Müller

 

The second panel, dedicated to authoritarian regimes in the Middle East and North Africa, featured:

• Noura Wahby (American University in Cairo)
• Tereza Jermanová (PRCP)
• Jakub Koláček (Charles University)

The panel was moderated by Jan Daniel (PRCP) and explored authoritarian practices as well as ways in which the undemocratic rule is challenged by citizens and various movements.

From the left: Jan Daniel, Noura Wahby, Jakub Koláček, and Tereza JermanovÁ

 

The third panel was dedicated to the work of the EUNPDC and to opportunities for young women and the next generation in the arms control, non-proliferation and disarmament field. The panel featured:

• Paola Tessari (IAI)
• Federica Dall’Arche (VCDNP)

From the left: Paola Tessari and Federica Dall’Arche

 

Harald Müller, one of the original co-founder of the EUNPD Consortium, also contributed to the panel, sharing his experience in establishing the Consortium.

Harald Müller talking about the EUNPD Consortium

All panels were followed by Q&A sessions.

The presentation of the event is available on : The EUNPD Consortium and its work For further informations on Youth opportunities linked with the consortium activities : Additional Opportunities for the Next Generation

For more information, please refer to the Young Women and Next Generation Initiative website or to the Event Page

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