Displaying 51 - 60 of 111
“Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Education: The Way Forward”, Vienna disarmament community discusses current status and prospects of disarmament education
VIENNA, 14 November – On 14 November 2019, the Vienna Office of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs hosted a panel discussion on “Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Education: The Way Forward”, at the Vienna International Centre. Panel discussion: “Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Education: The Way Forward” The panel discussion explored the current state of disarmament and non-proliferation education as a tool to strengthen international peace and security. Speakers discussed challenges, opportunities and existing platforms, including UNODA Vienna’s e-learning…
UN adds watch made from illicit small arms to permanent disarmament exhibition
On 26 November, UNODA welcomed the addition of Humanium Metal to the United Nations Permanent Exhibition at Headquarters. Humanium Metal by IM transforms illicit firearms in regions affected by armed violence into non-lethal commodities for peace. The illicit flow of small arms and light weapons undermines security and the rule of law and is often a key driver of forced displacement and human rights violations. Their wide circulation, misuse and illicit trade furthermore impede sustainable development, by aggravating poverty to inhibiting access to social services to diverting…
UNODA and Cybersecurity Tech Accord announce “Apps 4 Digital Peace!” contest
21st century challenges need 21st century solutions, especially when it comes to creating a safer and a more secure online world. The global ICT environment is facing a dramatic increase in the malicious use of ICTs by State and non-State actors and may harm international peace and security. It is clear that bringing greater security and stability to cyberspace will require new and different ideas compared to what has worked in other domains of conflict, and collaboration across disciplines. This is why the United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) partnered…
Side Event on Rethinking Unconstrained Military Spending
Side Event on Rethinking Unconstrained Military Spending On 23 October 2019, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) hosted a side event on rethinking unconstrained military spending, launching a two-part Occasional Papers series on the issue. The first volume, now available online, provides a historical overview of the efforts within the United Nations to reduce military expenditures. Michael Spies of UNODA discusses the need to repurpose and redirect military financing to address significant global issues, including the SDGs. The panel…
UNRCPD explores Responsible Innovation with the ASEAN Data Science Explorers
Bangkok, 10 October: The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament for Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD) conducted a workshop about responsible innovation for young innovators at the regional finals for the ASEAN Data Science Explorers (ADSE). Science and technology are advancing rapidly and could potentially contribute to the realization of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, but this quick advancement also raises concerns about potential risks and challenges to peace and security. In this light, UNRCPD partnered with both the ASEAN Foundation and…
UNRCPD holds responsible innovation dialogue with Robotics Association of Nepal
Kathmandu, 6 November: The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD) hosted engineers of the Robotics Association of Nepal (RAN) to discuss responsible innovation in science and technology and its impact on peace and security. Engineers of the Robotics Association of Nepal discussing scenarios involving potential security issues related to computer vision At the meeting, UNRCPD presented two educational scenario-based exercises with a focus on issues related to big data and artificial intelligence-based “computer vision”,…
High school teachers discuss nuclear threats at professional development workshop
Helping young people think critically about dangers from nuclear weapons was the goal of a one-day “teach-the-teacher” workshop held at United Nations Headquarters on 5 November 2019. The New York City public high school educators who participated in the workshop considered how to raise awareness among their students about the risk of a nuclear accident or disaster. The event, drawing 38 registrants, was organized by Hibakusha Stories, an initiative of the non-governmental organization Youth Arts New York, in partnership with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Activities…
National implementation workshop on resolution 1540 in Solomon Islands
The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, in cooperation with the Government of the Solomon Islands and the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 1540 (2004), facilitated a national round-table meeting on the implementation of resolution 1540 (2004) in Honiara, Solomon Islands, on 29-30 October 2019. This national round-table meeting was supported by voluntary contributions from the Government of Japan to the United Nations Trust Fund for Global and Regional Disarmament Activities. Ambassador Collin Beck, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of…
Side event on charting a course for a sustainable space environment
The UN Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), the Secure World Foundation and Project Ploughshares—with support from the Government of Belgium, came together to host a First Committee side event, “Navigating space: charting a course for a sustainable space environment”. The event focused on contemporary dynamics in outer space in the context of emerging technologies, and how they could inform multilateral discussions on the prevention of an arms race in space. The afternoon panel focused on the importance of space situational awareness (SSA) within the…
Side event on implementing Gender-Responsive Small Arms Control
<!-- wp:columns --><div class="wp-block-columns"><!-- wp:column {"width":"66.66%","lock":{"move":true,"remove":true}} --><div class="wp-block-column" style="flex-basis:66.66%"><p>On 25 October 2019, the <a href="http://www.un.org/disarmament">United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA)</a> in partnership with <a href="http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/">Small Arms Survey</a> hosted a side event on gender-responsive small arms control…