The mission of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is to implement the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention to achieve a world free of chemical weapons, and in which chemistry is used for peace, progress, and prosperity.
The mission of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is to implement the provisions of the Chemical Weapons Convention to achieve a world free of chemical weapons, and in which chemistry is used for peace, progress, and prosperity.
Purpose of the event
The objective of the workshop is to raise awareness among young scientists on the policy and diplomacy aspects that are related to the use of chemicals in various scientific disciplines, including chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, and other related fields. In particular, scientists will be updated on the Chemical Weapons Convention (hereinafter “the Convention”) and other international treaties and regulatory tools governing the transfer and use of chemicals. Aspects related to sustainability, ethics, and responsibility in research practices, as well as safety and security norms and standards in science, will also be addressed. The ultimate goal of the event will be to bridge the gap between scientists and policymakers and to promote the adoption of responsible and sustainable practices by scientists in low- and middle-income Member States of the OPCW.
This event is being implemented as part of the capacity-building programmes on the peaceful applications of chemistry under Article XI of the Convention and within the scope of the OCPW initiative on education and outreach.
The thematic focus of the event has been set in consideration of the convergence of chemistry and biology, i.e. the continuously shrinking gap in the practical and commercial applications of these two disciplines. The recent developments in areas where chemistry and biology overlap, such as biotechnology and biobased chemistry, are steadily gaining an important role in chemical production, while an increasing part of chemistry research is targeting biochemical objects or exploring bioresources, including in the areas of drug design, natural products chemistry, bioenergy, and biorefineries, among others.
Content
The five-day workshop will include theoretical lectures and interactive sessions on the following topics:
(a) the work of international organisations in the promotion and control of the science and technology (S&T) and industrial activities in chemical and biochemical sciences, and related regulations imposed by the international treaties;
(b) the impact of developments in S&T on international security and on the implementation of international treaties;
(c) science advice and science diplomacy;
(d) the concept of sustainability in industrial and research activities;
(e) issues related to the multiple uses of science;
(f) ethics in science and responsible research practices; and
(g) a study tour on a selected topic.
The workshop will accommodate a maximum of 25 participants who will be selected based on their qualifications and experience.
Sponsorship
The cost of tuition for all participants will be covered by the Secretariat.
Approximately 20 selected participants will receive sponsorship from the Secretariat, covering international travel, medical and travel insurance, and a daily subsistence allowance.
Self-sponsored participants are encouraged to apply.
Admission requirements
The workshop is open to those who:
(a) have a PhD in natural sciences (for example chemistry, biology, physics, geology) or related engineering from a recognised university or institution;
(b) are citizens of low- or middle-income OPCW Member States. The list is available HERE;
(c) have been working in the field of applied chemical or biochemical or related sciences (research, academia, or industry) for at least five years; and
(d) are young scientists at the beginning of their scientific career, i.e . who have received their PhD within the past 10 years and who are under the age of 40 years;
The workshop will be conducted in English. Participants must therefore have a strong command of both written and spoken English.
Female candidates are especially encouraged to apply.
Selection procedure
(a) Applicants are invited to complete the application through Eventus, the OPCW event management system (https://apps.opcw.org/eventus). Applicants must first create an account and then register for the event. Applicants who, for technical reasons, are not able to submit their applications online via Eventus are requested to complete and send the endorsement and application forms (available below for download) via email attachment (icb@opcw.org), with the name of the event clearly indicated in the subject line of the message.
(b) Applications will be carefully screened on the basis of the criteria specified above and may be interviewed if TWAS, IAP, and the OPCW Secretariat so decide.
(c) Incomplete or improperly filled-out applications cannot be considered.
(d) Only applications endorsed by the National Authority or Permanent Representation of the applicant’s country to the OPCW will be considered. For endorsement, applicants are advised to approach the National Authority or Permanent Representation of their country. Contacts are available HERE; The endorsement form (available below for download) together with a curriculum vitae must be uploaded during the online registration process.
(e) DEADLINE TO APPLY: All applications must be received by the Secretariat no later than 28 June 2019. Applications already submitted in 2018 in accordance with the previous Note (S/1664/2018) remain valid and need not be resubmitted. Applications received before the previous deadline and the deadlines indicated above will be evaluated by the Secretariat together and on an equal basis.
Contact details
Additional information about this event may be obtained by email from Mr Sergey Zinoviev (Senior Programme Officer) or Ms Rufaro Kambarami (Project Assistant) of the International Cooperation Branch (icb@opcw.org), or from Ms Sara Dalafi of TWAS (sciencediplomacy@twas.org).