Disarmament in Review
The global norm against biological weapons cannot be maintained without the meaningful and deliberate inclusion of youth voices in multilateral discussions. As fast-paced innovation in biotechnologies raise global implications for biosecurity, the young scientists of today will be at the forefront of tomorrow’s collective and innovative global solutions.
With continued financial support from the European Union, the Youth for Biosecurity Initiative aims to inform young scientists – in particular from the Global South – about their critical role in biosafety and biosecurity, particularly in bolstering global capacities against the misuse of biological agents.
Activities encourage the development of networks of young professionals and capitalize on training material developed by the European Union, such as e-learning tools developed by the EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium. To learn more on the Fellowship, click here.
Youth for Biosecurity Diplomacy Workshop and Fellowship
Established in 2019, the Youth for Biosecurity Initiative seeks to bring together competitively selected young biosecurity specialists from the Global South to reflect on how they envision an innovative and bio-secure future in connection with the BWC. Young professionals are empowered and motivated to promote sustainable change in their professional and academic communities, in line with the BWC’s objectives. All Youth for Biosecurity activities place particular emphasis on encouraging the participation of young women scientists from the Global South in BWC discussions.
From 2019, an annual workshop engaged young scientists and biosafety professionals from developing countries to raise awareness of the BWC, to develop capacities for more effective implementation of the BWC and to facilitate international cooperation for peaceful purposes.Building on these exchanges, the Youth for Biosecurity Fellowship was launched in 2023 to provide participants with a broader experience by combining online interactive training with an in-person visit to Geneva.
Cohorts (2019-2024)
Workshops:
Fellowships
Youth4Biosecurity Network
Over 120 young scientists from 99 countries have participated in activities organized by the Youth for Biosecurity initiative since 2019.
The Youth for Biosecurity Initiative has partnered with civil society entities to connect the next generations of leaders in the biosecurity community to launch several outcome documents, including: the IFBA Global Mentorship Programme, the iGEM Competitions, the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security Emerging Leaders in Biosecurity Fellowship and the NTI Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition. The documents provide a set of policy recommendations from young leaders to support youth participation in global biosecurity:
- Youth Recommendations for the Strengthening of the Biological Weapons Convention (2024)
- Youth Recommendations for the Ninth Review Conference of the BWC (2022)
- The Youth Declaration for Biosecurity (2021).
Following their participation in the Youth for Biosecurity Initiative, some alumni have led initiatives to raise awareness on global biosecurity challenges and the BWC. Those initiatives include:
- The Biosafety and Biosecurity Handbook for Students in Nigeria – This Handbook was created by the Youth for Biosecurity alumni (2021, 2022 and 2023 cohorts) from Nigeria to create awareness and promote inclusion of biosecurity and biosafety education in schools.
