Minister of Education, Culture and Science of the Netherlands, Dr Jet Bussemaker (middle) and OPCW Director-General Ahmet Üzümcü examine chemical weapon inspection equipment.
On 20 June 2014 the OPCW hosted the annual “Day of Excellence” for the higher education sector in the Netherlands. Director-General Ahmet Üzümcü welcomed the Minister of Education, Culture and Science of the Netherlands, Dr Jet Bussemaker, who visited the OPCW for the occasion.
Organised by the Sirius Programme and ScienceGuide, the “Day of Excellence” attracted some 100 participants from universities and other educational institutes across the Netherlands for discussions about excellence in higher education. In his welcoming remarks, the Director-General explained the main objectives and activities of the OPCW, as many of the participants were visiting the OPCW for the first time.
“The challenge for those of us involved in disarmament and non-proliferation,” the Director-General said, “ is to make responsible science – science that at all times constrains its potential to harm, and proactively engages on global issues – an integral professional trait for all of its practitioners around the world. This bottom-up approach must, therefore, start early – in high school or before.”
OPCW officials and external experts presented educational materials on the Chemical Weapons Convention which the OPCW has developed in partnership with Dutch high schools, universities and scientific associations for use in classrooms. Participants were also treated to an interactive display of equipment and analytical instruments used by OPCW inspectors.
Hosting the event was a valuable opportunity for the OPCW to reach out to an important stakeholder community and explore initiatives for future education and outreach activities.