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Students discuss how to innovate responsibly with artificial intelligence
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more sophisticated and versatile, the pioneers of this technology hold considerable power to shape its social impacts. That is why the University of Tokyo joined the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (ODA) in February to hold two days of virtual workshops on AI governance. By posing ethically complex questions on AI use to students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), among other fields, the workshop series challenged participants to examine how their future innovations could affect peace, security and…
Young people weigh what makes women crucial to disarmament
How do our ideas about gender shape the impact of weapons, both in our communities and on each of us as individuals? This question was recently put to university students in India by representatives of the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific (UNRCPD). They were participating in a webinar on “gender and peace”, the fourth lecture in a series organized by the Prajnya Trust and Sansristi, two India-based civil society organizations. A slide presented by Ms. Ida Scarpino on armed violence as a factor that exacerbates gender…
ODA launches nuclear-weapon-free zones web-portal
In his Agenda for Disarmament, the Secretary-General called Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zones “landmark instruments that represent an excellent example of the synergy between regional and global efforts towards a world free of nuclear weapons”. The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs today launched a dedicated web-portal to strengthen cooperation between nuclear-weapon-free zones (in Africa, Central Asia, Latin American and the Caribbean, Southeast Asia and the South Pacific) and Mongolia and further enable their contributions to the pursuit of a world free of…
UNODA honoured for ‘vital’ contribution to international peace
An association of legal professionals honoured the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) with an award on Wednesday for its contributions to the global development of international law and the rule of law. International Section of the New York State Bar Association honoured the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) with an award on Wednesday for its contributions to the global development of international law and the rule of law. The annual award, from the International Section of the New York State Bar Association, recognizes a major…
High Representative and ROK Deputy Foreign Minister discuss key disarmament milestones in 2021 and ways forward for empowering youth
What ways could youth be supported to make their meaningful contribution in the field of disarmament? This was one of the topics of discussion between the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu and the Deputy Foreign Minister for Multilateral and Global Affairs of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Mr. Ham Sang-wook. Connecting virtually on 13 January, they engaged in an in-depth conversation about strengthening the meaningful contribution of young people to disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation efforts, the upcoming Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-…
“They looked as if they were ghosts”: An atomic bomb survivor shares her memories
The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and its #Youth4Disarmament initiative joined the non-governmental organization Peace Boat, which is part of ICAN’s International Steering Group, in December for a discussion with Ms. Michiko Hattori, a survivor of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. More than 80 people attended the online event entitled “Every Second Counts for the Survivors! – Peace Boat Hibakusha Project Online”. Its aim was to raise awareness both about the humanitarian impacts of nuclear weapons and the importance of creating a nuclear-free future…
UNREC kick-starts cooperation on gender and small arms control with the Democratic Republic of Congo
The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Africa (UNREC) kicked off its training programme on gender and small arms control in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Organized with the Commission on small arms and light weapons (CNC-ALPC), the training took place from 23rd to 25th November 2020 in Kinshasa. Its primary objective was to ensure the effective integration of a gender-responsive framework in the DRC’s National Action Plan (2018-2022) on small arms and light weapons. Over the course of three days, more than 60 representatives from…
UNODA joins global efforts for 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
From 25 November to the 10 December, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs joined UN Women, the Secretary-General’s Say NO –UNiTE to End Violence against Women Campaign and the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA) for the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign 2020. 16 Days of Activism is an annual, worldwide campaign calling for the elimination of all forms of gender-based violence (GBV). Throughout the campaign period, UNODA published over 40 social media posts in English, French and Spanish, joining…
Disarmament4Educators Kicks Off with Online Roundtable Series
“What is the biggest challenge you see in the next year for building up disarmament education in your organization?” Disarmament experts and educators tackled this and other topics at the recent Disarmament4Educators Roundtable Series, organised by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA). The Roundtable Series, which took place from 18 November to 9 December 2020, are part of the ongoing Disarmament4Educators project, supported by generous donations from the Government of the Republic of Korea and Rissho Kosei-kai. By combining online learning…
#Youth4Disarmament awarded Billion Acts of Peace Award for Best Coalition Building Project 2020
The #Youth4Disarmament initiative has been recognized as Best Coalition Building Project of 2020 by a Billion Acts of Peace. The initiative was nominated along with eleven other inspiring projects, chosen from more than eight million Acts for Peace. Billion Acts of Peace, an initiative of the PeaceJam Foundation, is a global movement led by fourteen Nobel Peace Prize Winners and youth around the world with the ambitious goal of creating One Billion Acts of Peace by 2021, and in doing so, inspiring everyday people to change the world – one Act of Peace at a time. Among those who…