Mitigate Violent Peace in the Great Lakes Region of Africa; Diplomacy Lab

Diplomacy Lab is an partnership between the State Department and various universities. Professors write bids for relevant projects, then spend the semester researching and writing policy briefs for various offices at the State Department. Students enroll in IS/PSCI 4034: Topics in Diplomacy Lab to earn 3 credits. Opportunities include participating in group research (with undergraduates, MA students, PhD candidates, faculty, and practitioners), publishing, and presenting in Washington D.C.

This Project:

Goal:

Implement effective and efficient Conventional Weapons Destruction (CWD) activities in the Great Lakes region of Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda.

The Threat:

Stockpiles of excess SA/LW pose a range of security-related and humanitarian threats. Terrorists, insurgents, and criminals exploit poorly-secured munitions to fuel instability and violence that imperil U.S. security interests. Where poorly-secured stockpiles include MANPADS, the consequences of theft or loss could have wide-ranging, catastrophic outcomes. Further, poorly- maintained stockpiles may explode without notice, devastating nearby civilian populations. CWD programs assist partner countries with destroying their excess, unstable, and at-risk munitions (including MANPADS); improving physical security at munitions storage facilities; and bringing stockpile management practices into line with international standards.

Interested students should contact Chris Price chprice5@vt.edu or visit 119 Major Williams Hall.

All majors are welcome!