Launch of the 2023 Young Women in Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Mentorship Programme
On 20 September 2023, the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP) and the International Affairs Institute (IAI), as part of the Young Women and Next Generation Initiative (YWNGI), launched the 3rd edition of Young Women in Non-Proliferation and Disarmament (YWNPD) Mentorship Programme.
The Mentorship Programme, established in 2021 and organized in the framework of the EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium (EUNPDC), pairs 20 young women (mentees), carefully chosen through a highly competitive selection process, with well-established experts (mentors) to engage in a mentoring relationship that envisions, among other things, regular video or in-person meetings. Mentees are also expected to attend conferences, seminars, social events, and other activities, in order to be exposed to networking and career opportunities.
Participants of the launch event
The launch event was opened by the VCDNP Executive Director, Elena Sokova, and IAI Executive Vice-President, Ettore Greco, who welcomed the new cohort and congratulated new mentees for having been selected among over hundreds of very strong applications.
Three former mentees – Selma Mustafić, Elif Erginyavuz, and Kincső Vizi – and one former (and current) mentor – Rebecca Jovin – shared their personal experience during the previous editions of the programme.
Federica Dall’Arche, Senior Research Associate at the VCDNP and Paola Tessari, Senior Researcher at IAI, offered an overview of the programme, discussing expectations and opportunities for both mentors and mentees as well as the upcoming activities. Karolina Proprentner, Office and Events Manager at the VCDNP, introduced the new cohort to the spotlight campaign, while Manuel Herrera, Senior Researcher at IAI, shared information about the upcoming EUNPDC Annual Conference, which mentors and mentees are invited to attend.
A round of introductions of all participants allowed the organizers, mentors, and mentees to get to know each other better.
The VCDNP and IAI look forward to working with this bright and motivated cohort of mentees and deeply thank the EU for funding this project as well as returning and new mentors for joining the 2023 edition of the programme.
The Agenda of the event can be found here!