OSCE-UNODA 2020 Scholarship for Peace and Security training course holds concluding event

The 2020 Scholarship for Peace and Security training programme, jointly organized by the OSCE and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), held its concluding event on 10 and 11 December 2020.

The Scholarship for Peace and Security training programme is an annual initiative to encourage young people, particularly women, from the OSCE region and the Organization’s Partners for Co-operation to participate in the security sector.

The 8-week training programme provides participants with a deeper understanding of key conceptual and analytical issues in the field of conflict prevention and confidence- and security-building with a specific focus on the OSCE. It also aims to bridge gaps between education, training and career opportunities and facilitates professional networking among programme participants and experts.

The third edition of the programme was held from April to June 2020 with 150 participants, of which, 135 were women. It focused on various aspects of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation issues particularly related to the OSCE.  For the 2020 programme, the scholarships were provided through generous contributions made by the governments of Andorra, Ireland, Finland, France, Germany, and Switzerland.

The concluding event for the 2020 programme took place virtually due to restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The two-day event was organized by the OSCE with valuable contribution from VCDNP and in cooperation with UNODA, and featured discussions with programme graduates and experts on topics ranging from the importance of building trust in the field of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation, to factors preventing and promoting the implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.

OSCE experts also provided interactive sessions at the event as an opportunity for the programme graduates to learn more about job interview requirements, practice self-development and further explore on how to expand their networks with peers and experts in the field.

The fourth edition of the programme is expected to take place in 2021 and to be jointly organized by the OSCE and UNODA in collaboration with other stakeholders from the field.