On 6 March 2026, a regional scientific and practical conference entitled “The Role of Higher Education in Promoting Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness” was held in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic.
The conference was organized as a side event to the Regional Conference “Education for Peace and Security,” held on 5 March 2026 and dedicated to the International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness.
The event was organized by the Center for Nonproliferation and Export Control in cooperation with Kyrgyz National University named after J. Balasagyn, with the support of the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek and the Women in Nuclear Central Asia (WINCA) network.
The conference brought together representatives of government authorities, the academic and expert community, international organizations, as well as students and faculty members of higher education institutions.
The discussions covered a range of timely and relevant topics, including the training of non-proliferation specialists from the perspective of students of international academic programmes, the views of local students on the development of this field, as well as issues of academic freedom and security — particularly the search for a balance in teaching sensitive subjects.
Distinguished speakers participated both in person and online, representing leading educational and research institutions, including the Center for Policy Research at the University at Albany, the Kazakhstan Institute for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (KazISS), the OSCE Academy in Bishkek, Kyrgyz National University named after J. Balasagyn, the Women in Nuclear Central Asia (WINCA) network, and the Training Center of the State Customs Service of the Kyrgyz Republic.
Particular emphasis should be placed on the active engagement of youth. Students demonstrated strong interest in the topics discussed, actively asked questions, participated in discussions, and showed a high level of involvement in issues related to international security, disarmament, and non-proliferation. This highlights the growing importance of educational initiatives and the need for their further development within the academic environment.
The conference addressed current challenges and prospects for developing educational programmes in disarmament and non-proliferation, as well as the role of universities, research centres, and international organizations in this field.
The event served as an important platform for dialogue among stakeholders and contributed to promoting a culture of peace, security, and responsibility.
The Center for Nonproliferation and Export Control expresses its sincere gratitude to all participants, speakers, and partners for their active engagement, support, and valuable contributions to the successful organization of the conference.
