From 2 to 6 October 2023, the VCDNP welcomed its 26th 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 11th 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:
The panel discussion was moderated by VCDNP Executive Director Elena K. Sokova.
Some other sessions during the course included:
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.