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Strengthening National Implementation:
The Essential Role of Biosecurity Education
Tatyana Novossiolova
University of Bradford
BWC Meeting of Experts 2015
13 August 2015
Palais des Nations, Geneva,
Switzerland
Seventh Review Conference: Biosecurity Education
Article IV: National Implementation
13. The Conference notes the value of national implementation
measures…to:
(c) promote amongst those working in the biological sciences awareness
of the obligations of States Parties under the Convention, as well as
relevant national legislation and guidelines;
(d) promote the development of training and education programmes for
those granted access to biological agents and toxins relevant to the
Convention and for those with the knowledge or capacity to modify such
agents and toxins;
(e) encourage the promotion of a culture of responsibility amongst
relevant national professionals and the voluntary development, adoption
and promulgation of codes of conduct; [Emphasis added]
Education & the University of Bradford
Essential importance to BTWC of education long been recognised
• November 2006: Review Conference Paper No. 18: In-Depth
Implementation of the BTWC: Education and Outreach
• November 2010: Review Conference Paper No. 26: Effective
Implementation of the BTWC: The Key Role of Awareness Raising and
Education
• October 2012: Briefing Paper No. 5: Biosecurity Education for the Life
Sciences: Nuclear Security Education Experience as a Model
• June 2013: Briefing Paper No. 7: Effective and Sustainable Biosecurity
Education for those in the Life Sciences: The Benefits of Active Learning
• Educational Module Resource (in 10 languages)
• Train-the-Trainer Programme in Applied Dual-Use Biosecurity
• National Series (15 States)
• Educational Module in Neuroethics and Biosecurity
Essential Role of Education for Full and
Comprehensive Implementation of BTWC
• Bradford survey demonstrated widespread lack of awareness
of the BTWC and its obligations internationally
• Recognition that without biosecurity education of all those
engaged in the life sciences, national implementation of BTWC
is unable to be comprehensive
• Consequently biosecurity education for all those engaged in
life sciences is essential for full and comprehensive
implementation
• Such biosecurity education brings benefits to both health and
security for all States Parties
International Recognition of Need for Education
• US, NAS, Fink Committee Report, Biotechnology Research in an Age
of Terrorism (2004), First Recommendation: a need for education
• US, NAS, Lemon-Relman Committee Report, Globalisation,
Biosecurity, and the Future of the Life Sciences (2006), Fourth
Recommendation: a need for education
• UK, Royal Society Report, Brainwaves Module 3: Neuroscience,
Conflict and Security (2012), First Recommendation: a need for
education
• German, Ethics Council Report, Biosecurity – Freedom and
Responsibility of Research (2014), First Recommendation: a need for
education
What is Needed: A Central Role for Biosecurity
Move from deficiency of biosecurity awareness to
a biosecurity norm throughout the life sciences
• Introduction to biosecurity concept at pre-university (school) level
• University courses for all those in life sciences
• Continuing professional development for those in life sciences
• Funders to adopt policies requiring biosecurity knowledge for all
work in the life sciences
• Journal and book publishers’ policies
• National oversight systems
• Reporting to and engagement with relevant international
agreements and organisations (e.g. BTWC, CWC, UNSCR 1540)
Creating a Biosecurity Norm: A Biosecurity Textbook
• Jointly funded by Canada’s Global Partnership
Programme and the UK Global Partnership Programme
• An online book freely available online in English and
Arabic
• Expected publication date: December 2015
• Designed as a training resource that can easily be
adapted to different audiences and education settings
• Primary training audience: undergraduate students in
the life sciences and related disciplines
• A project supported by governments: part of the
essential strategy to promote biosecurity education and
awareness
Biosecurity Textbook: Content
Threats and Responses
- Hostile misuse (e.g. bioterrorism)- Key International Agreements (e.g. BTWC) - Web of Prevention
Role of Scientists
- Dual-use debate- Role of industry international
scientific organisations - Biosecurity and natural disease
outbreaks
Role of Organisations
- Review of S & T: BWC ISU- Engagement with law enforcement agencies: FBI, INTERPOL
Role of States
Case Studies on- Denmark
- Jordan- South Africa
- Canada-
Biosecurity Education
Biosecurity Education: Strategy
Team-Based Learning
• Active learning strategy: application of
concepts rather than memorising
concepts
• Easy to replicate without extensive
prior training
• Easy to adapt to different training
settings and for different purposes
Remembering
Understanding
Applying
Analysing
Evaluating
Creating
A Proof of Concept: Team-Based Learning Seminars for Students and Professionals
in the UK, Jordan, Morocco, Ukraine, and Tajikistan
UK, 2012
Jordan, 2014
Morocco,
2014
Ukraine, 2015
Tajikistan, 2015
Security Education and DisarmamentIAEA: Nuclear Security Plan, 2014 – 2017
To provide a coordinated education, awareness raising and training
programme in nuclear security that meets the requirements and needs identified
by Member States.
3rd Review Conference of the CWC, April 2013)
9.101 The Third Review Conference acknowledged the role of education,
outreach and awareness-raising as a relevant activity for the national
implementation of the Convention […].
7th Review Conference of the BTWC, December 2011
13. The Conference notes the value of national implementation measures,[…], to:
(c) promote amongst those working in the biological sciences awareness of the
obligations of States Parties under the Convention, as well as relevant
national legislation and guidelines;
Comprehensive Integrated Approach to Education
Nuclear Security Education
• IAEA Budget item 1.3.3.002 Facilitating sustainable education in
nuclear science and technology ~ 970,000 euro in 2015
• International Nuclear Security Education Network
Chemical Education
• 2015 OPCW Programme and Budget includes 150,000 euros for
education and outreach activities
• Regional seminars in Africa and Asia
• Capacity-building to promote chemical education and outreach
activities
Biological Security Education
• Biosecurity Textbook December 2015
• Opportunities for the 8th Review Conference
Moving forward from MX/2015 to MSP/2015
• Identify considerations, lessons, perspectives,
recommendations, conclusions and proposals
• Relating to Agenda item 7: Standing agenda item:
Strengthening national implementation
• In regard to both
– 1. A range of specific measures for the full and
comprehensive implementation of the Convention,
especially Articles III and IV
– 4. National, regional and international measures to improve
laboratory biosafety and security of pathogens and toxins
Common Understandings and Effective Action for 1
• Education is an integral element for full and comprehensive
implementation of the Convention
• Biosecurity education and training are essential requirements for all
those engaged in the life sciences
• States Parties are urged to report annually on activities undertaken
nationally on biosecurity education
• States Parties are encouraged to agree and establish an international
standard for biosecurity education
• States Parties should establish an International Biosecurity Education
Network (IBSEN) modelled on the International Nuclear Security
Education Network (INSEN) to promote biosecurity education
• States Parties should agree a Biosecurity Education Action Plan with
clear guidelines, milestones, and targets to ensure full and
comprehensive implementation of the Convention
Common Understandings and Effective Action for 4
• Biosecurity education is essential to improve laboratory
biosafety and security of pathogens and toxins
• States Parties should create an international mechanism for
funding and coordination of biosecurity education and
awareness-raising activities
• States Parties should promote the establishment of regional
institutes for delivery of biosecurity education and training at
different levels
• States Parties should implement plans to move from the
present deficiency of biosecurity awareness to a situation in
which there is a global biosecurity norm
• Such advances in biosecurity education will bring benefits to
States Parties in both health and security
