Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Education: The Way Forward

Education in disarmament and non-proliferation plays a key role in strengthening international security and peace, building sustainable partnerships and empowering youth and women. On 14 November 2019, VCDNP Executive Director Elena Sokova moderated a panel discussion organized by the UN Office of Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) on the current status of and future prospects for disarmament education.

In her opening remarks Ms. Sokova emphasized that much more needs to be done at national and regional level to mainstream nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation education. She also suggested that the 2002 UN study on disarmament and non-proliferation education is updated, particularly with regards to new teaching methodologies and communication.

Panelists included Ambassador Thomas Hajnoczi (Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs), Mr. Robin Mossinkoff (OSCE), Ms. Laura Müller (OSCE), Mr. Aaron Yoo (UNODA) and Ms. Lena Strauss (Scholarship for Peace and Security). Head of the UNODA Vienna Office Valere Mantels delivered welcome remarks.

During the discussion, panelists remarked on the increasing importance of education disarmament and non-proliferation fields, especially in raising awareness among the next generation about the risks posed by nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction and their proliferation. Training specialists from this generation is a particularly important mission.

In support of this, UNODA has launched public, online training courses, including on UN Security Council Resolution 1540, cyber diplomacy, introductions to disarmament and gender perspectives. Panelists called attention to the value of the online training courses, but also emphasized that in-person training cannot be replaced.

UNODA's online courses are available here.