Wrap-up: YDC at the 2014 Nuclear Knowledge Summit

Last week I had the great privilege of leading the Canadian Delegation for the Young Diplomats of Canada (YDC) at the inaugural 2014 Nuclear Knowledge Summit (NKS) in Amsterdam, Netherlands. After a whirlwind 72-hours of meetings, the YDC Delegation returned home with fresh insights and critical thoughts about some of the most pressing issues facing the globe. 

As it is difficult to adequately summarize the intensive topics that were covered at the NKS in a single brief blog post, the YDC Delegation (bios here) will be researching and writing a feature length paper about the NKS to be shared at a later date. 

But for a quick look at the event, check out the Young Diplomats Forum blog for my wrap-up post on YDC’s participation at the NKS: http://youngdiplomatsforum.wordpress.com/2014/03/26/nkswrapup/

-R.O.

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Wrap-up: YDC at the 2014 Nuclear Knowledge Summit
By: Robert D. Onley, Head Delegate, Canadian Delegation

After a whirlwind 72-hours attending the inaugural Nuclear Knowledge Summit (NKS) in Amsterdam from March 20-22, 2014, the Young Diplomats of Canada (YDC) Delegation returned home with fresh insights and critical thoughts about some of the most pressing issues facing the globe. As it is difficult to adequately summarize the intensive topics that were covered at the NKS in a single brief blog post, the YDC Delegation (bios here) will be researching and writing a feature length paper about the NKS to be shared at a later date. What follows is a quick look at YDC’s participation at the NKS:


THE OPENING OF THE 2014 NUCLEAR KNOWLEDGE SUMMIT, AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS, 20 MARCH 2014.

The challenge of securing the world’s stockpile of nuclear materials and ensuring continued peaceful nuclear development is one that the world’s next generation of global leaders will have to comprehensively confront, and with that in mind the Young Diplomats of Canada team entered the NKS seeking to gain understanding into the complex world of nuclear diplomacy.

The 2014 NKS was the first of its kind and was the natural outgrowth of three successful Nuclear Security Summits (held in 2008, 2010 and 2012 respectively). The NKS gathered knowledge experts, academics and nuclear NGO representatives from around the world for three days of intensive meetings, panels and keynote addresses, all designed to tackle the multiple problems facing the global nuclear security regime.

Prior to the opening of the NKS, the YDC Delegation was honoured to have the opportunity to visit the Canadian Embassy in the Netherlands at The Hague, to meet with Canada’s Ambassador, Mr. James Lambert, for over an hour. The Delegation enjoyed a high-level discussion about Canada’s role within the NSS framework, the importance of multilateral diplomacy, and the life of a diplomat.


THE YDC DELEGATION WITH CANADIAN AMBASSADOR JAMES LAMBERT AT THE CANADIAN EMBASSY IN THE HAGUE, 20 MARCH 2014.

Adding to the discussion was the Counsellor of the Canadian Embassy, Mrs. Ann Flanagan Whalen, who extended the conversation into a full scale dialogue on digital diplomacy, the use of social media, and the nature of the Canada-Netherlands bilateral relationship. The YDC Delegation seized the opportunity for direct contact with high-ranking Canadian Foreign Service Officers, and benefited from an honest chat about serious national and international issues.

As the only Canadian youth delegation accredited to attend the NKS, the Young Diplomats of Canada were uniquely positioned to represent the Canadian voice at this important international event. Outside of two Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs officials who were listed in attendance, YDC’s Delegation was the only Canadian group to be formally invited to attend.

However through extensive outreach efforts, YDC was able to meet with two other youth delegations attending the event: Young European Leadership and the Netherlands-based PUSH! for Disarmament group, who joined YDC in representing the global youth voice at the NKS. Though the youth delegations were small in number, collectively they represented the single largest recognized group at the event.


THE YEL, YDC AND PUSH! DELEGATIONS TOGETHER AT THE NKS.

More importantly, through the PUSH! for Disarmament group’s production, the youth voice was the only one to be granted the privilege of presenting a video at the closing ceremony of the NKS. This was a significant, and symbolic accomplishment.


PUSH! PRESENTS AT THE CLOSING CEREMONY

During the NKS, delegates listened to a variety of high level speakers from across the nuclear industry. Among the speakers was a critical address from the Director of Nuclear Security at the International Atomic Energy Agency, Dr. Khammar Mrabit, who opened the NKS with a thought-provoking assessment on the state of nuclear security. As part of the first panel on “Improving Regime Cohesion”, Dr. Mrabit set out a complete plan for continuing with the spirit of the Nuclear Security Summit efforts after the present round of bi-annual summitry runs its course. (This theme will be explored in depth by the YDC Delegation in its forthcoming research paper).


THE IAEA NUCLEAR SECURITY PLAN PRESENTED BY IAEA DIRECTOR OF NUCLEAR SECURITY, DR. KHAMMAR MRABIT

Further panels included a discussion on cybersecurity and the nuclear industry, which was a hot topic and one that garnered extensive attention from the audience during the question and answer period. Bringing much needed global perspective was the panel on “Regional Approaches to Nuclear Security”, which assessed specific issues related to security concerns in all corners of the world. Directly related to this challenge was the panel on securing fissile materials and radiological sources – both are key elements for the peaceful nuclear energy industry, but are vulnerable to theft from terror groups who seek to use the materials for nuclear attacks.

Outside of the formal program, the YDC Delegates were able to network with these nuclear experts, discuss common concerns and continue the panel discussions in greater detail. Through official meals, the Delegates had a chance to mingle in a more casual setting, and get to know the other youth delegations.


THE YDC DELEGATION ENJOYS DINNER DURING THE CLOSING CEREMONY.

Leaving the NKS, the key theme that the YDC Delegates took away is that the bi-annual Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) process will likely come to an end in 2016. As such, meetings such as the NKS are vital to ensuring that the global dialogue about these issues not only continues, but is continued in a comprehensive, targeted and logical way.

Whichever format future nuclear security meetings will take, through participation in events like the NKS, the Young Diplomats of Canada seeks to build Canada’s next generation of global leaders through access to hands-on diplomatic events.

Robert D. Onley was the Head Delegate of the Canadian Delegation at the 2014 Nuclear Knowledge Summit in Amsterdam, and serves as Legal Counsel and Director of Policy and Development for the Young Diplomats of Canada. He can be contacted at legal@youngdiplomats.ca.