Fall 2023 Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Short Course

From 2 to 6 October 2023, the VCDNP welcomed its 26^th cohort of diplomats and practitioners from 21 countries for an intensive short course on nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Of the 22 participants, 72% were from developing countries and 50% were women.

During the week-long course, the participants explored a wide range of nuclear topics, including, global and regional aspects of the nuclear non-proliferation regime, arms control and disarmament, nuclear safeguards, and nuclear security.

Course participants also had an opportunity to visit the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) and experience behind-the-scenes operations of the IAEA’s Incident and Emergency Centre as well as the CTBTO’s International Monitoring System.

With both participants and experts coming from various backgrounds, the course fostered an inclusive and diverse learning environment. This provided participants with an opportunity to network with a wide range of diplomats, practitioners, and experts involved in the course.

A highlight of the course was the panel discussion on the outcomes of first Preparatory Committee meeting of the 11^th Review Conference to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and the Working Group on further strengthening the NPT review process. Speakers included:

• Ambassador Benno Laggner, Switzerland
• Ambassador Corinne Kitsell, United Kingdom
• Ambassador Evangelina Lourdes A. Bernas, The Philippines
• Gaukhar Mukhatzhanova, Director of the International Organizations and Non-Proliferation Program, VCDNP

The panel discussion was moderated by VCDNP Executive Director Elena K. Sokova.

Some other sessions during the course included:

• Lectures on the evolution and implementation of IAEA safeguards by VCDNP Senior Fellow and former senior IAEA official Laura Rockwood and IAEA safeguards inspector Ania Kim Kaminski
• An informal discussion on the TPNW Meeting of States Parties with Ambassador Alexander Kmentt, Director of the Department for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation at the Austrian Foreign Ministry
• A lecture on the roles and responsibilities of states in the field of nuclear security and the implementation of nuclear safeguards by VCDNP Executive Director Elena K. Sokova
• A lecture on nuclear-weapon-free zones by VCDNP Director of the International Organizations and Non-Proliferation programme Gaukhar Mukhatzhanova
• A case study of Iran’s nuclear programme and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) by Laura Rockwood and Gaukhar Mukhatzhanova
• A case study of North Korea’s nuclear programme by VCDNP Senior Research Associate Noah Mayhew and Open Nuclear Network Regional Issues Strategist Veronika Bedenko
• A lunch discussion on the peaceful uses of nuclear technology and the nexus with nuclear security with VCDNP Senior Research Associate Ingrid Kirsten

In an anonymous survey following the end of the course, 100% of participants found the course to be excellent or good, saying they would highly recommend the course to colleagues. Among the most highly rated aspects of the course, the participants highlighted the knowledge and expertise of the speakers, the quality of the in-depth lectures and numerous networking opportunities.

The following are testimonials from participants of the 2023 fall cohort:

"The course is perfectly designed to combine various aspects from technology, policy as well as theory. The lectures are of high quality."

"The presentations were comprehensive and to the point. They contained different subjects of crucial importance to any diplomat or practitioner in this field."

"I thought I knew a lot already about nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, yet I still learned a lot from this course."

The VCDNP extends its gratitude to the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands for their generous support of its capacity-building and training activities.