NTI Side Events at the August 2024 BWC Meetings

Three years after the publication of the Youth Declaration for Biosecurity — a call-to-action from the next generation of biosecurity professionals to the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) community — youth participation in international biosecurity spaces remains vitally important. By engaging students and early-career professionals, the BWC and other international fora invite new and potentially groundbreaking perspectives and demonstrate their commitment to preparing for the future.

NTI | bio and the UN Office of Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) will be co-hosting two events during the Meeting of the Working Group on Strengthening the BWC that highlight the ideas and contributions of the next generation of biosecurity leaders.

Youth for Biosecurity Poster Exhibition

Time: 1:00 – 3:00 PM CEST
Date: Monday, August 19, 2024
Location: Palais des Nations, Building E, Outside of Room XIX, Geneva, Switzerland

NTI | bio and UNODA will host a Youth for Biosecurity poster session that will feature presentations from UNODA’s Youth for Biosecurity fellows and welcoming remarks from UNODA and NTI. Following the presentations, guests will speak to the fellows and NTI’s Next Generation for Biosecurity delegates and discuss their posters. Refreshments will be provided. The posters will remain on display in the hall for the entire week of meetings.

Youth Insights for Strengthening Global Biosecurity 

Time: 1:15 – 2:45 PM CEST
Date: Thursday, August 22, 2024
Location: Palais des Nations, Building E, Room XXII, Geneva, Switzerland

NTI | bio and UNODA will host a joint side event that will highlight the winners of NTI’s 2024 Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition and UNODA’s 2024 Youth for Biosecurity fellows. The event will include a presentation from the winners of the 2024 NTI | bio Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition who will present their paper on improving equity in biosecurity. The event will also feature remarks from NTI and UNODA and a discussion of the value of youth participation at the BWC. You can learn more about the Next Gen competition winners and read their paper here.