University students learn about the link between disarmament and human rights in Vienna

On 17 April 2024, the University of Applied Arts Vienna organized its 4^th Applied Human Rights World Café. As part of the course program, students enrolled in the Vienna Master of Arts in Applied Human Rights develop and undertake individual or group projects on human rights in cooperation with interested partner organizations. The World Café serves as a platform for the students to connect with Vienna-based international and local organizations and initiatives that aim to make a positive impact on human rights. The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) was invited to join the event with an informational booth to showcase how disarmament is interlinked with and contributes to human rights, and to engage with students and fellow exhibitors.

The Office for Disarmament Affairs shared the exhibition space with various organizations working on human rights, including UNICEF Austria, the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), and the European Union Fundamental Rights Agency (FRA).

Students were welcomed to the booth with educational flyers, postcards, and UNODA-branded memorabilia, including pins and pens. The informational materials aimed at raising awareness about the interlinkages between disarmament and human rights, especially explaining how disarmament contributes to the right to life, the right to a healthy environment, the right to peace, and more.

Rebecca Jovin (Chief of the Vienna Office), Marykate Monaghan (Junior Project Advisor for Youth and Disarmament), and Alexandra Kiss (Project and Research Coordinator) attended the World Café on behalf of UNODA.

The forum offered a platform for connection and inspiration, and for its visitors to explore creative ways of implementing human rights through other disciplines, such as art, international relations, social entrepreneurship, climate and social justice, and, of course, disarmament!

Representatives from UNODA listened to the diverse and creative project proposals pitched by students, offered advice and guidance, and discussed the work of UNODA and intersections between human rights and disarmament. The World Café also served as a valuable opportunity for the Vienna Office to explore potential partnerships with other international and local organizations that work in the field of human rights, and to promote awareness about the mission of UNODA and the work of its Vienna Office.