Strengthening Security Through Education

On 20 May 2021, VCDNP Project/Events Manager and Research Associate Mara Zarka spoke to professors and students from the Faculties of the University of Belgrade, Military Academy, and Police Academy on the importance of non‑proliferation, arms control and disarmament education, as well as the work of the EU Non‑Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium. In her remarks, she highlighted the important role of the EU in supporting independent research and education in the field. She also stressed that the EU works in partnership with many think tanks and academic institutions when seeking ideas and suggestions that could be translated into policy options. She emphasized the interconnectedness of the field and the need to engage both technical and policy experts to find lasting solutions, pointing out how such interconnectedness is evident in many of the EU Consortium’s activities, including the proliferation awareness training courses and Young Women Next Generation Initiative.

Dr. Niklas Schörnig from the Peace Research Institute in Frankfurt also spoke at the event. He discussed the field of non-proliferation and arms control in the context of international studies and international relations theory and presented a case study on lethal autonomous weapons systems.

The event was organized by the Center for Non-Proliferation, Arms Control and Disarmament of the Professional Association of Security Sector, a recent addition to the European network of independent non-proliferation and disarmament think tanks.

A full recording of the event can be viewed below.