Disarmament and Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction

From 30 August - 3 September, 2010, the T.M.C. Asser Instituut will organize a new summer programme on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction in a changing world. 

This programme will be organised in close cooperation with the OPCW (the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons), the CTBTO Preparatory Commission, the BWC-ISU (Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs), UNODA and the IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency),

There is an increasing demand for professionals in the field of disarmament and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The challenges posed to international security by nuclear, chemical and biological weapons are as urgent today as during the Cold War, with the first decade of the 21^st Century having witnessed growing WMD terrorist threats and serious concerns with WMD programmes in the Middle East, South Asia and North Korea. 

The objective of this one-week summer programme is to raise more interest in pursuing careers in disarmament and non-proliferation as part of the larger process of enhancing stability and security in the world. 

The contributions to the programme by the OPCW will provide participants with a clear insight into the functioning of this organization and its effective multilateral approach serving as an example for other areas of disarmament and non-proliferation.

The Dutch Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Security Policy Department, Non-Proliferation, Disarmament, Arms Control and Export Control Policy Division) has pledged their support of this first-of-its-kind programme by providing 5 full scholarships for eligible participants.