Recent event
Title: Bridging the divide: The role of networks in advancing inclusive disarmament processes
In December 2022, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) launched its first Office-wide disarmament education strategy. The strategy outlined four key outcome areas that the Office will strive to advance in the coming years in its disarmament education work. This event focuses on key outcome area III “Inclusive and diverse disarmament processes advanced” as well as the overarching theme of the centrality of partnerships and networks in achieving impactful and sustainable disarmament education.
This interactive roundtable event aimed at showcasing the value of integrating diverse perspectives in disarmament discourse and decision-making processes, providing concrete examples and success stories, as well as exploring opportunities for strengthening of interdisciplinary, inter-generational, and cross-regional networks. Panelists explored strategies and best practices for fostering the adoption of an inclusive approach, including intergenerational dialogue, networks and alumni groups, and multistakeholder consultations.
This event also provided an opportunity to launch the UN Disarmament Fellowship alumni network, Vienna Chapter. Established in 1978 at the General Assembly first special session devoted to disarmament, the Fellowship has produced over 1,000 graduates from 170 countries. The event included members of the 2023 cohort of UN Disarmament Fellowship on the occasion of their study visit to Vienna, as well as alumni and inter-generational members of the broader disarmament community.
Speakers
Moderator:
- Ms. Rebecca Jovin, Chief, United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) Vienna Office
Panelists:
- H.E. Mr. Dario Ernesto Chiru Ochoa, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Panama to the United Nations Vienna and alumnus of the UN Disarmament Fellowship;
- Ms. Candy Sizakele Moyo, First Secretary - Political, Permanent Mission of the Republic of South Africa to the United Nations Geneva and 2023 UN Disarmament Fellow.
- Ms. Kashaf Sohail, Erasmus Mundus Scholar and CTBTO Youth Group member;
- Ms. Laura Rockwood, Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP);
Past events
Title: Advancements in Science & Technology: Leveraging disarmament education towards greater diversity and inclusion
On December 7, 2022, the UN General Assembly, at the initiative of Kyrgyzstan, adopted resolution 77/51 proclaiming 5 March as the International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness. The date also coincides with the entry into force of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) in 1970.
To commemorate the new international day, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), in partnership with the Permanent Mission of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations, organized a Vienna Conversation Series event on March 2, 2023.
The distinguished panellists explored various dimensions of the issues related to the impact of advances in science and technologies on international security through the lens of diversity and inclusion, leveraging the power of disarmament education to engage diverse stakeholders, especially new generations, in an inclusive and sustained manner.
Agenda and Speakers
Moderator and MC:
- Ms. Maria Chepurina, External Relations Officer, Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO)
Welcoming Remarks:
- Ms. Rebecca Jovin, Chief, United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) Vienna Office
- H.E. Mr. Sang-wook Ham, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations (Vienna)
- H.E. Mr. Tolendy Makeyev, Permanent Representative of the Kyrgyz Republic to the United Nations (Vienna)
Keynote:
- Ms. Francesca Giovannini, Executive Director of the Project on Managing the Atom, Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
Panelists:
- Ms. Keon-hee Lee, Senior Researcher, Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI)
- Mr. Waleed Helmy, United Nations Youth Champion for Disarmament
- Ms. Alexandra Ebert, Chief Trust Officer, MOSTLY AI
- Ms. Kim Obergfaell, Policy Fellow, British American Security Information Council (BASIC)
Spotlight articlePictures of the event
Title: Updating our vision for disarmament: inspiring action from the humanitarian approach
This Vienna Conversation Series event, organized by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) Vienna Office in partnership with the Republic of Ireland and the United Nations Information Service (UNIS) Vienna, brought together diverse audiences, including experts in the field of humanitarian disarmament and audience members from the 2022 cohort of recipients of the OSCE-UNODA Scholarship for Peace and Security.
The event, moderated by Ms. Melissa Fleming (United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications), provided an opportunity to exchange views on the humanitarian impact of weapons and the role of humanitarian disarmament in advancing international peace and security and a new vision for disarmament. It identified best practices in promoting the practical application of humanitarian principles and gender-responsive approaches in disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation efforts across regions.
Agenda and Speakers
Moderator and MC:
- Ms. Melissa Fleming, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications
Panelists:
- H.E. Mr. Eoin O’Leary, Permanent Representative of Ireland to the United Nations in Vienna
- Dr. Eirini Giorgou, Legal Adviser, Arms and Conduct of Hostilities Unit, International Committee of the Red Cross
- Mr. Pehr Lodhammar, Iraq Chief Mine Action Programme, United Nations Mine Action Service
- Ms. Vanda Prošková, Vice-Chair PragueVision Institute and Co-Convener of Youth Fusion
Title: New directions for Disarmament & Non-Proliferation Education
Twenty years after the publication of the 2002 United Nations study on disarmament and non-proliferation education, much progress has been made in advancing its 34 recommendations and objective of leveraging disarmament and non-proliferation education to “impart knowledge and skills to individuals to empower them to make their contribution, as national and world citizens, to the achievement of concrete disarmament and non-proliferation measures and the ultimate goal of general and complete disarmament under effective international control.” This event brings together members of the Vienna-based diplomatic community and the 2022 UN Disarmament Fellows as key stakeholders in disarmament and non-proliferation education to engage in a forward-looking dialogue on priorities, parameters and prospects. It seeks to inform the strategic efforts of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) to better address the needs of targeted learners and meet the goals set out in the 2002 study in a comprehensive, inclusive and sustainable manner.
- Ms. Rebecca Jovin, Chief UNODA Vienna Office and event moderator
- H.E. Ambassador Luis Javier Campuzano Piña, Permanent Representative of Mexico to the International Organizations in Vienna
- H.E. Ambassador Takeshi Hikihara, Permanent Representative of Japan to the International Organizations in Vienna
- Representatives of the UN Disarmament Fellows 2022 cohort
- Roundtable participants
More information
Title: Where next for youth in disarmament?
This roundtable-style Vienna Conversation Series event aims to engage youth in a dynamic exchange of views with the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs to raise awareness of disarmament’s centrality in addressing global challenges and to amplify fresh thinking on the future trajectory and vision for disarmament in an era of uncertainty.
Both youth representatives are participants in the ongoing #Leaders4Tomorrow workshop series held as part of ODA´s #Youth4Disarmament initiative.
- Rebecca Jovin, Chief of UNODA Vienna Office
- Izumi Nakamitsu, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs
- Kasha Sequoia Slavner, Documentary Filmmaker
- Louis Reitmann, Research Associate at the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP)
Title: Global challenges and opportunities for multilateral disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control: A conversation with the UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs
- Izumi Nakamitsu, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs
- Elena Sokova, Executive Director of the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP)
- More information
- Video recording of the event
Title: Disarmament and Non-proliferation education: The Way Forward. Current Status and Future Prospects of Disarmament and Non-proliferation Education
- Valere Mantels, Chief of the Vienna Office
- Elena Sokova, Executive Director VCDNP
- H.E. Thomas Hajnoczi, Director, Department of Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-Proliferation, Austrian Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs
- Laura Mueller, Associate FSC Support Officer, FSC Support Section, OSCE
- Aaron Yoo, Political Affairs Officer, UNODA
- Lena Strauss, Alumni, joint UNODA-OSCE Scholarship for Peace and Security
Title: Emerging technologies: A blessing or a curse?
- Ulrich Kühn, Deputy Head of the Arms Control and Emerging Technologies Program, Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg (IFSH)
- Malin Oestevik, Cybercrime and Anti-Money Laundering Section, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
- Laura Rockwood, Executive Director of the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP)
Supported by: Government of Austria
Title: Conversation with Youth – Ending Nuclear Tests: why should I care?
- Lassina Zerbo, Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO)
- Kim Won-soo, United Nations Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs
- Laura Rockwood, Executive Director of the Vienna Center for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP)
About the Disarmament Conversation Series
A fundamental value in the debate on disarmament and non-proliferation is dialogue, be it direct or indirect, face-to-face or through different media platforms. To this end, UNODA Vienna Office has initiated the “Vienna Conversation Series” aiming at providing a platform for fruitful discussions and knowledge exchange among the different stakeholders and interested audiences. Organized in a “talk-show” format and broadcasted on social media, UNODA and its partners host guest speakers to address selected issues. Participants are invited to pose questions live and online through UNODA’s social media channels, including Facebook and Twitter.
These events contribute to the key goals enshrined in UNODA’s mandate and the UN Secretary-General’s vision for disarmament.
Objectives
The Vienna Conversation Series aims at:
Promoting and facilitating dialogue between the disarmament and non-proliferation community, other relevant stakeholders and interested audiences including the media, youth, academia, civil society, the private sector and the diplomatic community. |
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Raising awareness of issues of disarmament, non-proliferation and the Sustainable Development Goals. |
Providing a platform for fruitful discussions and knowledge exchange about the UN Secretary-General’s vision and priorities for multilateral disarmament. |
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Exploiting the potential of Vienna having become a centre of excellence in the areas of disarmament and non-proliferation. |