On 25 October 2024, the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP), the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI), and International Student/Young Pugwash (ISYP) held the second edition of the “Engagement Opportunities in Arms Control, Disarmament, and Non-Proliferation for Young Professionals and Students” event. The virtual meeting provided key insights and hands-on advice on youth engagement and careers in the arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation space, and was attended by over 100 students and young professionals.
Building on the success of the first edition of the event held in October 2022, the webinar informed participants about youth-led groups and initiatives in the field and offered a platform to connect and network.
Participants benefited from presentations by five organisations and their initiatives: The British American Security Information Council (BASIC), the European Leadership Network (ELN), the EU Nonproliferation and Disarmament Consortium (EUNPDC), the International Student/Young Pugwash (ISYP), and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA). The organisations shared information about their activities and youth programmes and offered opportunities for learning, research, and engagement on a wide range of issues within the arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation field.
The event was organised within the framework of the Young Women and Next Generation Initiative (YWNGI), established under the EUNPDC.
Opening remarks were delivered by Federica Dall’Arche, Senior Research Associate at the VCDNP, and Sanaa Alvira, Leadership Team Member at ISYP. Both highlighted the importance of engaging all generations and people with diverse national and cultural backgrounds to promote inclusion and diversity in the arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation field.
Nikita Gryazin, Policy Fellow at the European Leadership Network (ELN), presented ELN’s Younger Generation Leaders Network (YGLN), a youth group which consists of 150 members from over 40 countries, which this year celebrates it 10th anniversary. YGLN holds regular events like "YGLN Wednesdays," where members exchange and connect. YGLN also publishes analyses and commentary on international affairs by its members and holds an annual gathering for in-person engagement. The network comprises four distinct groups and is led by an executive committee, helping to shape its members into future decision-makers. More information on YGLN and membership is available on the YGLN website.
Manuel Herrera, Research Fellow at IAI, provided an overview of the next generation activities organised by the EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium (EUNPDC). The EUNPDC organizes and coordinates activities for a network of over 110 research centres and universities all over Europe. One of the flagship programmes of the Consortium is the YWNGI, which offers events online and on university campuses in Europe. A key part of the Initiative is an annual mentorship programme for young women. Other activities include the Next Generation Workshop – an opportunity for emerging experts to showcase their research ahead of the EUNPDC Annual Conference in Brussels. Herrera also offered an overview of the EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament E-learning courses, a comprehensive library of interactive online courses on arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation issues offered by the Consortium and presented the Consortium’s internship programme. More information about the Consortium can be found on the EUNPDC website.
The Youth4Disarmament initiative, organised by the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), was introduced by Marykate Monaghan. She provided an overview of the initiative’s work to empower young people to champion and participate in disarmament efforts, highlighting programmes, including capacity-building workshops, creative projects, and the "Advocates in Motion (AIM) Campaign" to integrate youth perspectives into global policy-making. The initative also includes the Youth Leader Fund, a comprehensive programme running through 2030, featuring online learning, a study tour to Hiroshima and Nagasaki, mentorship, and networking for young advocates. Additionally, she encouraged youth engagement through online events, creative advocacy, joining disarmament-focused groups, and accessing educational resources like UNODA’s Disarmament Education Dashboard. More information can be found on the Youth4Disarmament website.
The Emerging Voices Network, which was introduced by Declan Penrose, Policy Fellow at the British American Security Information Council (BASIC), is a digital, global network of young experts and practitioners working across nuclear issues. The network emphasises the importance of cross-regional and cross-disciplinary collaboration and organises side events at international conferences, such as NPT Review Conferences, and publishes an annual series of policy papers, written by working groups of emerging nuclear experts from around the world. More information, including on ways to participate, can be found on the EVN website.
The work of ISYP, a global, interdisciplinary network of students, young professionals, and national groups, was presented by Deputy Director Kseniia Pirnavskaia. She explained how ISYP covers a wide range of topics related to existential risk, including climate change, emerging technologies, and nuclear weapons. with the aim of nurturing understanding and build personal connections for peace-promoting policy-making. More information on ISYP and on how to participate is available on the ISYP website.
Panellists also shared their personal experiences and career journeys, entering and navigating the field, emphasising the challenges and rewards they encountered.
The lively discussion following the presentations touched upon many topics, including work-life balance, mental health, the inclusion of people with disabilities, as well as gender and geographical barriers, among others. The rich conversation offered practical insights for young professionals aspiring to make a meaningful impact in the field.
Closing remarks were delivered by Paola Tessari, Senior Researcher at IAI, and Kseniia Pirnavskaia, Deputy Director at ISYP, who shared information on additional opportunities available in the field and thanked the panellists for sharing helpful advice and guidance.
