Report of the 2013-2014 Graduate Research Awards for Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Debates
Jasmin Cheung-Gertler of DFATD with some of the 2013-2014 Graduate Research Award recipients
Position papers presented by the recipients of the 2013-2014 Graduate Research Awards for Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-Proliferation (GRA) at the GRA Debates
Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD)
Lester B. Pearson Building
Ottawa, Canada
February 21, 2014
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 Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada (DFATD) with the primary objective to enhance Canadian graduate level scholarship on non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament (NACD) issues.
We are pleased to acknowledge this year’s Graduate Research Awards recipients who each received a cash award and participated in the 2013-2014 GRA Debates held at DFATD Headquarters in Ottawa on February 21, 2014.
- Olivia Cimo - Public Policy and Administration, Ryerson University
- Michael Kelly - Political Science, Memorial University of Newfoundland
- Alexandre Léger - Public Policy and Administration, Concordia University
- Trevor Persi - International Affairs, Carleton University
- Timothy Sayle - Department of History, Temple University
- Sarah Scott - Public and International Affairs, University of Ottawa
- David Torre - Political Science, University of Calgary
- Samuel Wollengerg - Global Security & Conflict Resolution, University of Toronto
Please see the Report of the 2013-2014 Graduate Reseach Awards for Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Debates for position papers presented by the students on the following topics:
Humanitarian Dimensions of Nuclear Weapons: “Be it resolved that the participation of Nuclear Weapon States in negotiations towards a legally-binding instrument banning the possession and/or use of nuclear weapons is a prerequisite for the establishment of an international norm ‘delegitimizing’ and recognizing the severe humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons.”
Middle East WMD Free Zone and the NPT: “Be it resolved that the 2010 decision to convene a conference to establish a Weapons of Mass Destruction Free Zone in the Middle East (MEWMDFZ) should be implemented prior to the 2015 NPT Review Conference, irrespective of whether the prerequisites of peace and security in the region and the attendance of all regional partners can been achieved."
Australia Group Membership: “Be it resolved that the prevention of the development of chemical and/or biological weapons, and/or their diversion to illicit networks and non-state actors, would be significantly improved by expanded membership in the Australia Group export control regime.”
Counter-Proliferation and Iran: “Be it resolved that the Nuclear Suppliers Group and the Proliferation Security Initiative are essential instruments, beyond the activities of the UNSC and IAEA, for preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability.”
The 2014-2015 Graduate Research Awards competition will be launched in fall 2014. We look forward to welcoming the next round of award winners at the GRA Debates in winter 2015.