[Online training programme] Disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction

From 28 September – 2 October, T.M.C. Asser Instituut in The Hague will host the eleventh training programme on disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, co-organised with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). For the first time ever, the programme will be hosted in a virtual format. Make sure to sign up soon if you wish to attend this unique training programme. 

Registrations for this event have closed due to maximum capacity.  

• When? 28 September - 02 October
• Venue: Online 
• Fee: €995 
• Organiser: T.M.C Asser Instituut & the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) 
• Sign up here

Background: 

Weapons of Mass Destruction have recently re-entered the international political stage. After many years in which there was relatively little attention for these weapons and the agreements dealing with them, chemical weapons were used in Syria, Malaysia and the United Kingdom, and nuclear weapons returned in political rhetoric and arms races as if the Cold War has never ended. There is an increasing demand for professionals in the field of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) to tackle the challenges of today’s non-proliferation and disarmament agenda with a more integrated understanding of these issues. 

How should we understand and deal with these increasing international tensions surrounding arms control, non-proliferation, and disarmament? How are experts and practitioners in the field of (or related to WMD dealing with these issues? The annual training programme on disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction offers in-depth knowledge on this topic.

During this intensive online training programme, participants should expect to receive a comprehensive overview of non-proliferation and disarmament efforts regarding WMD. They will learn from renowned experts and practitioners and engage in active discussions about relevant topics and debates. Participants will also be provided with opportunities to build their network and connect with experts in the field, as well as their fellow participants. 

Key topics: Chemical weapons, nuclear weapons, biological weapons; arms control, non-proliferation and disarmament agreements; export controls and verification mechanisms; international law and diplomacy; geopolitical developments. 

Target group: The training programme is designed for early- to mid-career professionals working for governments, for example, national export control bodies, national authorities for the implementation of WMD-related treaties and agreements and national nuclear agencies. Individuals working for non-governmental organisations, think tanks addressing WMD issues and research centres in related disciplines are also invited to apply. Newly arrived diplomats in The Hague are especially encouraged to sign up for the training programme. 

Course aim: The WMD training programme offers participants the chance to discuss various aspects of the issue with renowned experts in an interactive and multi-disciplinary way. Participants will leave the programme with a greater understanding of disarmament and non-proliferation efforts and the international legal challenges faced by practitioners in the field.

Participants will gain:

• In-depth knowledge of the diplomatic, legal and technical aspects of disarmament and non-proliferation;
• Insight into the work of key professionals in the area of WMD, seasoned with their personal experiences; and
• Unique networking opportunities with speakers and participants from diverse backgrounds.

Confirmed speakers: 

Our 2020 programme will include the following speakers: 

• Deepti Choubey, Head, Public Affairs & OPCW Spokesperson, OPCW
• Dr Frederik Voûte, Asser Institute
• Sico van der Meer, Research Fellow, Netherlands Institute of International Relations ‘Clingendael’
• Ionut Suseanu, Senior Legal Officer, International Atomic Energy Agency
• Jenny Nielsen, Public Information Officer, Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation
• Dr Oliver Meier, Senior Researcher, Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy, University of Hamburg
• Marcel Schouwenburg, Senior Lecturer Radiation Protection, Technical University Delft
• Daniel Feakes, Chief, Implementation Support Unit (ISU) of the BWC, United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs
• Peter Hotchkiss , Senior Science Policy Officer, OPCW
• Dr Ian Stewart, Senior Researcher, King’s College London
• Gareth Williams, Head, Safety and Analytical Chemistry Cell, OPCW
• Joseph Ballard, Senior Policy Officer, OPCW
• Santiago Oñate, Head, Investigation and Identification Team, OPCW
• Prof. Dr Remco Breuker, Leiden University
• Dr Aniseh Bassiri Tabrizi, Senior Research Fellow, Royal United Services Institute
• Ingeborg Denissen, Head Non-Proliferation & Disarmament, Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Anthony Henderson, Senior Public Affairs Officer, OPCW 
• Susi Snyder, Project lead No Nukes project, PAX 
  
• Marina Favaro, Policy Analyst, British American Security Information Council
• Natalia Silkina, Legal Officer, Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organisation

Download this year's full programme here. 

 Scholarships

The Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, with funding support from the European Union have offered full competitive scholarships. Applications for these scholarships have closed. 

Covid-19 update
Due to the coronavirus outbreak, the format of this course has been changed into an online programme for a reduced fee (33% discount). Participants who have already paid in full will be reimbursed the difference in price. For any questions, please contact educationtraining@asser.nl.