The worldwide standard against natural weapons can’t be kept up with without youth voices being remembered for the multilateral conversations occurring in the system of the Organic Weapons Show (BWC). Youth viewpoints are vital to make creative arrangements and produce long haul commitment. There are specific advantages to including the points of view of youngsters from agricultural nations, where a large portion of the world’s childhood is concentrated.
Coordinated by the Unified Countries Office for Demilitarization Undertakings in Geneva in organization with key worldwide entertainers enabling youth in science discretion and worldwide biosecurity, the Young for Biosecurity Partnership gives an exceptional learning and systems administration experience into multilateral conversations occurring in the structure of the Natural Weapons Show in Geneva.
Sent off in 2019 as a Biosecurity Strategy Studio, the Young for Biosecurity Drive is without precedent for 2023 giving the open door to 15 youthful researchers from the Worldwide South to join a web-based intuitive preparation program before a field visit during the gathering of the BWC Working Gathering on the Reinforcing of the Show in Geneva.
The Fellowship aims at allowing young biosecurity leaders from the Global South to:
- Learn & lead : deepen your expertise in biosecurity and disarmament to build leadership skills
- Think & act : engage in discussions with senior experts and make your voice heard in the margins of multilateral disarmament meetings
- Engage with community : connect with young experts, join an international youth network and enjoy a space for dialogue between young scientists and BWC practitioners including diplomats and experts.
Benefits:
- Fully funded visit to Geneva during the Meeting of the Working Group on the strengthening of the Convention
- One month of pre-Working Group online workshop in the lead up to the field visit
- Small group interactions with leading experts in disarmament and nonproliferation, biosecurity, biosafety, and health security
- Opportunities to meet, collaborate and network with fellow young scientists, diplomats, experts, civil society organizations and other international youth-driven networks
- Be part of a growing network of early-career professional in biosecurity
Eligibility:
- Are passionate about and have experience in biosafety, biosecurity, disarmament and non-proliferation or youth involvement and want to understand your key role against the misuse of biological agents
- Are willing to learn more about the Biological Weapons Convention and its critical role for disarmament and health security
- Believe that young people can be a force for positive change and want to play an active and forward-looking role in building a more peaceful and secure world
- Want to get an insider view into how science diplomacy happens in multilateral disarmament meetings
Requirements:
- Participate in all online sessions and in the field visit [the fellows are responsible for obtaining the relevant authorizations from their employer or universities].
- Engage actively in all the Fellowship’s activities – the Fellowship is an interactive and participative experience and relies on the fellows’ active participation
- Make time in your schedule to adequately prepare for all sessions and discussions – the course will be fairly intensive and prior preparation will be key to the fellows’ active participation.
Application:
To be eligible to apply, prospective fellows must:
- Be under the age of 40
- Be citizens of a low- or middle-income BWC State Party
- Have an advanced degree in the life sciences or a related discipline from a recognized university or institution. [Candidates with backgrounds in other fields such as social sciences can be exceptionally considered if they have a demonstrated interest in biosecurity, health security and/or disarmament and non-proliferation]
- Have a strong command of written and spoken English
Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. The selection process will be guided by the need to ensure the highest quality of participants while maintaining a gender and regional balance.
All applicants must provide all requested documents and information listed on the application page (link to application page)
If you have any questions or experience any difficulties with your application, feel free to contact Mr. Remi Bacouillard, from the project team, at remi.bacouillard@un.org
