On 7 November 2025, Gaukhar Mukhatzhanova, Japan Chair for a World without Nuclear Weapons, and Federica Dall’Arche, Senior Research Associate, joined Valentina Cassar, Senior Lecturer in the Department of International Relations at the University of Malta in a public event aimed at engaging students and young scholars and raising awareness about arms control, non-proliferation, and disarmament issues.
The event was organized within the framework of the Young Women and Next Generation Initiative (YWNGI) of the EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium (EUNPDC), made possible thanks to the generous support of the European Union.
Titled "Wars, Women, and Nuclear Weapons: the Politics of Peace and Proliferation”, the event also featured Iryna Maksymenko, Associate Professor at the Odesa I.I. Mechnikov National University, and Alexandra Schaerrer Cumming, Research Support Officer at the Ministry for Foreign and European Affairs.
Opening remarks were delivered by the Head of the Department of International Relations, Prof. James Sater.
Panelists provided an overview of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), setting the stage for a broader discussion on their relevance and implementation today. Building on this foundation, the conversation looked at ongoing wars, including in Ukraine, examining their impact on nuclear diplomacy, deterrence, and disarmament efforts, as well as the lessons drawn from Ukraine’s own nuclear history. The discussion also highlighted the intersection between disarmament and the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda, which marks its 25th anniversary this year, and explored how these themes resonate in current international security debates.
The event included an overview of the work of the EUNPDC and a variety of opportunities for students and young professionals to engage in the arms control, non-proliferation, and disarmament field. This included information on fellowships, internships, initiatives, and job opportunities, including those offered through the YWNGI and EUNPDC.
The event was attended by more than 45 students and generated a high level of interest, with participants asking questions and demonstrating a genuine desire to learn more.
More information about the agenda of the event can be found below:
The VCDNP thanks the University of Malta for hosting the event.
