The 4th Summer Programme on Disarmament and Non-proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, which is co-organised each year by the OPCW and TMC Asser Institute for international law, was held from 2-6 September 2013 in The Hague with 26 participants from 16 OPCW Member States attending.*
The week-long Summer Programme has an integrated curriculum [PDF – 498 KB] that covers chemical weapons, other WMDs, and all aspects of their associated treaties – legal, diplomatic, operational and scientific. The content is delivered by experienced professionals from the BWC Implementation Support Unit, CTBTO, IAEA and OPCW, along with leading experts from partners such as the Clingendael Institute, Green Cross International, SIPRI, VERTIC, and the Vienna Centre for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation. The classroom work is complemented with field visits to relevant facilities that illustrate the practical dimensions of implementing WMD treaties.
The Summer Programme is designed principally for young to middle level officials and professionals who wish to expand their knowledge of WMDs and develop opportunities for working in the field. Beginning in 2012, UN Fellows of the Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) now participate in the field visits as well.
This year’s course was supported with contributions from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands and Norway’s delegation to the OPCW, which together provided full scholarships for 8 participants from countries with developing economies.
* Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cameroon, France, Germany, Jordan, Kenya, Libya, Netherlands, Niger, Nigeria, Qatar, Singapore, South Africa, United States