NTI | bio Bolsters Young Scientists and Promotes Youth Engagement at the 2021 BWC Meeting of Experts

NTI | bio co-hosted a virtual side event at the 2021 Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) Meeting of Experts aimed at diplomats and other attendees highlighting youth-led projects on responsible science and ways to systematically involve young scientists in BWC deliberations. The September 2nd event, “Promoting youth engagement in responsible innovation under the Biological Weapons Convention,” was co-moderated by NTI | bio’s Chris Isaac. Isaac led a guided discussion with young scientists who have conducted innovative biosecurity research on the critical role of youth in addressing emerging biosecurity incidents and challenges.

The side event was co-hosted with organizations developing young talent in the biosecurity space: the International Federation of Biosafety Associations, the International Genetically Engineered Machines Foundation, the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Like NTI, these organizations offer initiatives that empower and foster the next generation of leaders in the biosecurity community. NTI | bio is proud to contribute to the next generation of biosecurity leaders through the annual Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition held in partnership with the Next Generation Global Health Security Network (NextGen).

The 2020 winners of the Next Generation for Biosecurity Competition were among the panel members at the BWC side event. They presented their research, “Widening the Framework for Regulation of Dual-Use Research in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic,” which advocates the importance of reducing the risk of deliberate misuse of bioscience research, especially during a pandemic when the global scientific community is conducting essential research to advance vaccines, therapeutics, and diagnostics.

Screenshots from the event are below.