Scholarship for Peace and Security 2020

Conflict Prevention and Resolution through Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-proliferation in the OSCE area

Arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation are essential elements in conflict prevention and resolution. Youth, particularly women remain chronically underrepresented in these fields. The potential of education in strengthening youth, and women in contributing to achieve sustainable peace has been widely recognised. With proper training and support, young women can provide a vital contribution to peace and security.

The OSCE jointly with UNODA offers a training programme providing a general orientation and knowledge about conflict prevention and resolution through arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation, with a specific focus on OSCE-relevant instruments.

The training programme is supported by the Scholarship for Peace and Security that is a joint initiative of the OSCE and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs at Vienna, in partnership with a number of organisations whose work contributes to arms control, disarmament, non-proliferation and development-related issues.

What will participants learn?

This online and in-person course introduces participants to key conceptual and practical aspects of:

• Conflict cycle, including conflict prevention and resolution
• Arms control, confidence and security building measures
• Non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, including nuclear security
• Combatting illicit trafficking in small arms and light weapons
• Conventional weapons and ammunition
• Disarmament and development
• Gender aspects
• Peace and development-related technologies

The programme consists of two components:

An interactive online foundation course lasting 8 weeks
An in-depth in-person course lasting one week to be held in Vienna (Austria) including:

• Workshops
• Case studies
• Lectures
• Visits to Vienna based organisations

The space available for the course is limited, registration is reserved for nationals of OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation.
A total of 100 scholarships are available to facilitate the participation of young professional women and men from OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation. Participation in the in-person training is reserved for women. All are encouraged to apply for the online course scholarship.

 

What is unique about this training programme?

1. Multiple learning modalities: both in-person and online training. The in-person component gives participants an opportunity to deepen the knowledge acquired in the e-learning course.
2. The training courses are developed directly by Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Education partners, giving students’ first-hand information from major international organisations.
3. Focus on relevant OSCE instruments and issues

Who is the target audience of the training courses?

Early career professionals, especially female professionals, working in various fields from OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation. Previous knowledge of issues related to disarmament, non-proliferation and development is not required.

How is the training course organised?

The training course is composed of:

• 8 weeks online foundation training (about 40 hours)
• 1 week in-person in-depth training (about 40 hours)
• The online component includes: self-paced webinars with weekly sessions, reading material, exams and interaction with the instructors and the fellow participants.