Report of the 2011-2012 Graduate Research Awards Debates on Disarmement, Arms Control and Non-Proliferation

Position Papers presented by recipients of the 2011-2012 Graduate Research Awards
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT)
Ottawa, Canada
March 22, 2012

The Graduate Research Awards for Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-Proliferation is a joint programme of The Simons Foundation and the International Security Research and Outreach Programme of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) with the primary objective to enhance Canadian graduate level scholarship on non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament (NACD) issues.

Eight candidates were selected to receive a cash award of Cdn$3,000.00 and presented their position papers on the following topics in person at the GRA Debates at DFAIT Headquarters in Ottawa on March 22, 2012.

Master's Candidates Debate 1
Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty: "Be it resolved that to advance a negotiations process and build consensus on the terms of a future Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty (FMCT), the FMCT should be negotiated outside the Conference on Disarmament (CD)."
Argument in favour presented by Abbie Desloges
Argument against presented by Caroline Leprince

Master's Canadidates Debate 2
Nuclear Disarmament: "Be it resolved that the provisions of Article VI of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) have not been met."
Argument in favour presented by Hristijan Ivanovski
Argument against presented by Anton Bezglasnyy

Doctoral Candidates Debate 1
Nuclear Safeguards Verification: "Be it resolved that, in spite of limited resources, the IAEA should apply the same safeguards verification efforts in all countries, rather than focus its efforts on those known to be in non-compliance."
Argument in favour presented by Vandana Bhatia
Argument against presented by Adam Côté

Doctoral Candidates Debate 2
Space Security: "Be it resolved that the weaponization of space is inevitable.  If yes, explain why; If not, how is it best avoided?"
Argument in favour presented by Simon Palamar
Argument against presented by Susan Khazaeli

Click here or see the attached report for the position papers presented by the award recipients at the GRA Debates at DFAIT in Ottawa on March 22, 2012 and for more information about the 2011-2012 Graduate Research Awards on Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-Proliferation.