Young Women and Next Generation Initiative in Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Mentorship Programme – 2nd Edition Final Meeting

On 15 May 2023, the VCDNP and the International Affairs Institute (IAI) organised the final meeting of the second edition of the Young Women in Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Mentorship Programme.

The Programme pairs 20 driven young females with 20 well-established experts in the field over the course of nine months and gives mentees the opportunity to attend relevant conferences and outreach events on non-proliferation, disarmament, arms control, and related topics, including the EUNPDC Annual Conference and Next Generation Workshop. The Programme has also provided networking and career development opportunities through seminars, social events, and other activities. The Mentorship Programme is part of the Young Women and Next Generation Initiative under the EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium.

“I think the programme is a great initiative. It encouraged me to study more non-proliferation, disarmament, and gender issues, and it provided me with amazing connections with mentees and mentors. The programme taught me good lessons, it helped me improve many of my skills and now I intend to deepen my studies into a Master’s in this field.”

2023 Mentee

The final meeting was opened by Stefan Tressing, Deputy Head of the Division for Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Arms Export Control at the European External Action Service (EEAS) and Elena Sokova, VCDNP Executive Director.

The event was held online and divided into three sessions.

The first session was dedicated to mentees’ presentations and moderated by Paola Tessari (IAI). Selected mentees presented their work and research prepared over the course of the Mentorship Programme. The presentations covered issues related to arms control, disarmament, and non-proliferation, such as autonomous weapon systems, non-traditional security and nuclear risk, diversity in non-proliferation and disarmament, economic sanctions from a gender perspective, and gender and race in international security.

Presentations were delivered by:

• Insaf Senouci (Sciences Po Grenoble)
• Stephanie Verlaan (EuropeanUniversity Viadrina)
• Veerle Moyson (UNODA Vienna Office)
• Jennet Charyyeva (Bilkent University)
• Amanda Pereira (Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo)
• Elin Bergner (Open Nuclear Network)
• Natalina Popat (Oxford University)
• Irene Palomo (European Research Council Executive Agency – ERCEA)

“I really like the concept of this Programme and how refreshing it felt to coach a mentee/someone who is hopeful and positive about the field and I learned a lot too as a mentor!”

2023 Mentor

The second panel focused on providing career advice and featured a presentation by Elizabeth Bone, Career and Academic Advisor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. Ms. Bone shared helpful tips when searching for a job and offered guidelines for dealing with rejection and building resilience. The panel was moderated by Manuel Herrera (IAI).

“I feel encouraged knowing there are many other young women working on the same path as me. It is nice to hear you’re not alone. I received good guidance and explanations and insights which allowed me to reflect on my career path and possible developments, outcomes and combinations. This is very important.”

2023 Mentee

The last panel was devoted to a comprehensive evaluation of the programme to collect feedback from participants and brainstorm improvements for future editions. The open discussion was moderated by Federica Dall’Arche (VCDNP).

Closing remarks were delivered by Sybille Bauer (SIPRI and Chair of the EUNPD Consortium).