The role of civil society in promoting disarmament education and advancing the arms trade treaty and small arms and light weapons agenda

As educators, campaigners, and advocates for change, civil society organizations (CSOs), including non-governmental organizations (NGOs), play an integral and crucial role in the United Nations disarmament infrastructure. In the politically sensitive and slow-moving field of disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control, where substantive outcomes can be hard fought and seldom won, the energy and dedication that CSOs bring to their work can help to stimulate debate and move the agenda forward. These organizations keep the spotlight on key and emerging issues, bring new ideas and creative solutions to the table, and, importantly, work to keep Governments honest.

Related Subject(s): Peacekeeping and Security