OSCE-IFSH Essay Competition: Conventional Arms Control and Confidence- and Security-Building Measures in Europe

The OSCE and the Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy at the University of Hamburg, together with Moscow State Institute for International Relations (MGIMO University), Geneva Centre for Security Policy (GCSP) and Vienna Centre for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation (VCDNP), are launching an essay competition to encourage innovative thinking and help create a new generation of professionals studying challenges and opportunities related to conventional arms control and confidence- and security- building measures. 

Prizes

Three winners of the competition will receive cash prizes of up to €3,000 and a certificate signed by the OSCE Secretary General. They will also travel to Vienna for an all-expenses paid trip to attend and present their essays at a meeting of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation.

Other prizes include a spot on the Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Short Course offered by the VCDNP, the possibility to publish the paper with IFSH, a 500 EUR voucher for books and others.

Participation

Students and young professionals who are nationals of OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation up to 35 years of age (born after 1st January 1985) are invited to submit original essays on any of the following topics:

• The OSCE’s role in reviving military stability and confidence in Europe
• Reducing military risks through OSCE instruments  
• The impact of new technologies and new types of conventional weapons on security and stability in Europe
• The role of new technologies in enhancing conventional arms control and verification
• Lessons learnt from other regions to enhance military stability and security in Europe
• The potential contribution by youth to the process of arms control and confidence- and security-building measures in Europe

The organizers especially encourage entries from women in the essay competition. Students and professionals studying/working on peace and security, military affairs, political affairs, international relations and other legal, policy and technical disciplines are invited to submit entries. The OSCE also welcomes entries by early career professionals from governments, including those working in foreign affairs, the defence forces, intelligence agencies, security agencies, the defence industry, as well as academia and the non-governmental sector.

The rules

Submission deadline: Entries must be sent to [email protected] Wednesday, 1 July, 2020, at 11:59 p.m., Vienna Time (CET). Only one entry per person.

• Essay length: Between 2,500-4,000 words (excluding footnotes and bibliography) plus an abstract of maximum 150 words
• Format: MS Word document
• Language: English

The selection process

• A Selection Committee will include members of all partner organizations. Submitted essays will be evaluated anonymously.
• All competition participants will be contacted by e-mail on Wednesday, 11 November 2020.
• The winners will need to be available to travel to Vienna for the meeting of the OSCE Forum for Security Co-operation in December 2020.

Disclaimer: Decisions concerning the selection of winners are final and not subject to appeal. The Organizer reserves the right to award fewer or no prizes in any contest if, in its sole discretion, it does not receive a sufficient number of eligible and qualified entries for that contest.

For more information, see the Terms and Conditions.

For any additional queries, please contact [email protected]