THE HAGUE, August 28 – September 2, 2011

More information:

www.asser.nl/wmd

The Second Annual

Summer Programme

on

Disarmament and Non-Proliferation of

Weapons of Mass Destruction

in a Changing World

There is an increasing demand for professionals in the field of disarmament and non-

proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. The challenges posed to international security

by nuclear, chemical and biological weapons are as urgent today as during the Cold War. In

the first decade of the 21st Century there is a growing concern for terrorist attacks with

WMD’s and several countries in the Middle East, South Asia and North Korea continue to

develop WMD programmes.

From 28 August - 2 September, 2011, the T.M.C. Asser Instituut together with the

OPCW, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, will organize a

new summer programme on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation of Weapons of

Mass Destruction in a changing world.

One of the aims of the programme is to offer an integrated approach to weapons of mass

destruction. The programme will address the non-proliferation and disarmament effort taken

with respect to chemical, nuclear and biological weapons individually; the more crosscutting

aspects will be discussed in high level panels.

The all-encompassing programme seeks to strike a balance between the legal, scientific,

diplomatic and military issues relating to the broad spectrum of WMD in a contemporary

world. It links the disarmament and non-proliferation efforts and at the same time

distinguishes the challenges each subcategory of weapons currently face.

Summer Training Programme: Disarmament and Non-Proliferation of WMD’s in a Changing World

T.M.C. Asser Instituut, The Hague – August 28 – September 2, 2011

www.asser.nl/wmd

PROGRAMME:

The contributions to the summer programme by the OPCW will provide participants with a

clear insight into the functioning of this organization and its effective multilateral approach

serving as an example for other areas of disarmament and non-proliferation.

The programme content will be delivered by experienced officials of the OPCW and other

international organizations together with international experts, be it academia, diplomats or

as an independent expert in the field of international law and related disciplines. The

sessions are interactive and provide the participants hands-on knowledge from key

professionals in the field, with committed speakers sharing some of their personal

experiences.

The programme will start by providing the participants with an introduction/historical

overview of arms control concepts and approaches, and will consider the role of

disarmament and non-proliferation of WMD in the context of international law and security

policy.

The legal framework of each sub-category of weapons will be elaborated on, including the

pertinent security considerations, the political implications and scientific aspects. The cross-

cutting sessions will link the different category of weapons and discuss current and possible

future challenges one may face in the disarmament and non-proliferation of WMD’s.

As part of the programme, a study visit will

be organized to the OPCW Laboratory and

Equipment store, where participants will

receive presentations from the Inspectorate

Training Cell staff and can also see examples

of (deactivated) chemical weapons for

themselves.

The visit provides the participants with a real

sense of the devastating effects of the WMD

and an understanding of the complexities

involved in setting up a reliable verification

system.

The first edition in 2010 was supported by all the leading treaty-based organizations in the

field of Weapons of Mass Destruction, which made this programme quite unique. The

following institutions contributed to the programme:

• CTBTO Prep Com: Preparatory Commission for the comprehensive nuclear test-ban

treaty organization

• BWC-ISU: Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit

• IAEA: International Atomic Energy Agency

• UNODA: United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs

Summer Training Programme: Disarmament and Non-Proliferation of WMD’s in a Changing World

T.M.C. Asser Instituut, The Hague – August 28 – September 2, 2011

www.asser.nl/wmd

TARGET AUDIENCE:

The objective of this Hague Summer

Programme is to raise interest among the

younger generation as part of the larger

process of enhancing stability and security in

the world.

This second-year programme is specifically

designed for advanced graduate students and

young professionals who are interested in

pursuing careers in the field of non-

proliferation and disarmament of weapons of

mass destruction.

Whether as a diplomat, a scientist or security analyst, The Hague Summer Programme will

provide a unique insight into to legal framework of each sub-category of weapons and

provide a sound understanding of the distinctions and similarities between nuclear, chemical

and biological weapons.

Familiarity with international law and arms control issues is highly desirable.

Testimonials from past participants:

“Such a wide and comprehensive treatment of WMD’s should add to anyone’s knowledge

regardless of your starting point. I think that the largest benefit of the course comes in the

exposure that participants gain on the different areas of WMD disarmament, as well as the

networking opportunities that come with it.”

“I have some experience in the nuclear field but before attending this course I had only generic

notion of chemical/biological. This course helped to broaden my knowledge of the entire WMD

spectrum, as well as to address key issues relating to nuclear.”

“The lecturers were picked from diverse fields and organizations, which gave an excellent

overview on the issues and challenges within the field of disarmament and non-proliferation.”

“This course deals with information that is not available in any university’s curriculum- it

provides a good overview of the matter and a unique chance to meet people who deal with it at

high levels in their daily work, thus giving insights from the active decision-makers working in

the field.”

Participants in the OPCW lobby, 2010

Summer Training Programme: Disarmament and Non-Proliferation of WMD’s in a Changing World

T.M.C. Asser Instituut, The Hague – August 28 – September 2, 2011

www.asser.nl/wmd

ORGANISERS:

T.M.C. Asser Instituut (www.asser.nl)

Located in the heart of the international justice community,

the T.M.C. Asser Instituut has successfully organized

different Summer Schools in the past, in close

collaboration with a variety of partners, such as the

Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies, the War

Crimes Research Office of American University’s

Washington College of Law, and the Netherlands Institute

of Human Rights of Utrecht University.

Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (www.opcw.org)

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons

(OPCW) is the implementing body of the Chemical

Weapons Convention.

The OPCW is given the mandate to achieve the object and

purpose of the Convention, to ensure the implementation

of its provisions, including those for international

verification of compliance with it, and to provide a forum

for consultation and cooperation among States Parties.

The OPCW is an independent, autonomous international

organisation with a working relationship with the United

Nations. Established in 1997, the OPCW now counts 188

States as its members.

Summer Training Programme: Disarmament and Non-Proliferation of WMD’s in a Changing World

T.M.C. Asser Instituut, The Hague – August 28 – September 2, 2011

www.asser.nl/wmd

ADMISSION:

Please fill in the registration form, to be found at www.asser.nl/wmd and send it to

education@asser.nl

The deadline for application is August 1st 2011. 1

Fees

Non-student fee € 1450.-

Early bird fee (registration before March 1) € 1250.-

Full time student fee € 1250.-

This fee includes lectures, study materials, study visits, water/tea/coffee and lunch during

workings days, receptions and an opening dinner.

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure that the fees are paid in full by the correct

date. Details of payment method will be communicated to you after acceptance of your

application.

1 Acceptance of participation in this programme is at the discretion of the Directorate of the T.M.C. Asser

Instituut. The Instituut retains the right to cancel the summer programme if there are not enough registrants, without obligation in any way to make compensation. The Asser Instituut will inform the prospective participant in such a case as soon as possible. Cancellation of your registration, free of

charge, is possible until one week before the start of the programme.

Travel, accommodation, insurance and visa:

The fee does not cover (international) travel costs, domestic travel to and from airports etc.,

(hotel) accommodation, insurance or other expenses. The T.M.C. Asser Instituut can offer

help in finding a good hotel.

Participants must make their own travel arrangements to The Hague. These arrangements

are the sole responsibility of each participant. We do advice you to book flights as soon as

you receive confirmation of your application.

Participants must have a medical insurance valid for the duration of their stay in The

Netherlands.

All participants must have a valid a passport to travel to The Netherlands. Participants

coming from EU countries are not required to obtain a visa for The Netherlands. The

participant is responsible for applying for a visa at the Dutch Embassy or Consulate in their

country of residence. The T.M.C. Asser Instituut can provide an invitation letter confirming

participation in the programme.