The fifth edition of the Associate Programme conducted by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) commenced on 23 July 2004. The ten-week programme aims to develop a better understanding of the objectives of the Chemical Weapons Convention, and to promote the peaceful uses of chemistry, with an emphasis on chemical safety. The programme gives chemists and chemical engineers, especially from Member States whose economies are either developing or in transition, access to the skills and experience required to operate effectively in the context of the modern chemical industry. The skills and experience gained by participating in this programme will serve to strengthen the national implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and facilitate trade through the adoption of good practices by the chemical industry.
This year the course accommodates 24 participants from Algeria, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cameroon, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Ghana, Jamaica, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nicaragua, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Vietnam. All the trainees have advanced technical qualifications.
The ten-week programme consists of theoretical and practical work, including classroom instruction, work at a pilot chemical plant at the University of Surrey (United Kingdom), exercises and visits to specialised institutions, and industrial attachments at chemical companies in Belgium, France, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
The Governments of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Japan have made a voluntary financial contribution towards this year’s programme.
The Associate Programme will conclude on 1 October 2004.
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