Newsletter July 2024

Announcements

Join us for an informative roundtable discussion with world-leading practitioners and scholars about the opportunities and challenges of open source investigations to celebrate the release of the free e-book “Open Source Investigations in the Age of Google”.

In an era dominated by digital information, open-source investigations offer a transformative approach to addressing global security challenges. While these investigations are neither easy to conduct nor straightforward to apply, they hold immense potential for strengthening security when carried out with diligence and effort. “Open Source Investigations in the Age of Google” is a compelling exploration into how threats to human security are being tracked in revolutionary new ways. This book delves into the intricacies of monitoring and documenting human rights abuses, political violence, nuclear weapons, corruption, radicalization, and conflict through open-source investigations.

Spotlight Stories

Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS)

SCRAP Weapons’ Director, Prof. Dan Plesch, attended the annual meeting of the Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS) in Tokyo, Japan, where he presented SCRAP’s work on meaningful youth engagement and its agenda to support the timely convening of a Fourth Special Session on Disarmament.

The ACUNS is an independent nonprofit association of scholars, practitioners, institutions, and individuals active in the work and study of the UN that stimulates and supports dialogue and research about issues of global concern. For the 2024 Annual Meeting, nearly 400 practitioners and scholars from around the world convened at the United Nations University and the University of Tokyo to engage in discussions on the critical theme of “Global Governance and Sustainable Development: Revitalizing Research to Support Multilateral Solutions.”

SCRAP Weapon’s Consultant, Ms. Monalisa Hazarika, participated in the Fourth Review Conference of the UN Program of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons, as part of the UN Youth Champions for Disarmament Program. Held in New York between 17-28 June, Monalisa delivered remarks at a high level meeting, “Developmentalizing” Programs on SALW Control and Armed Violence Reduction, and shared regional insights and recommendations on sensitizing and mainstreaming efforts aimed at curbing the direct and indirect effects of small arms on human development. Further, she spoke of her past and current projects on the impacts of SALW, designed to educate, engage, and empower young people.