FCO Seeks Innovative NGO Counter-Proliferation Projects to Fund

How do you prevent the spread of dangerous weapons around the world? Negotiations? Treaties? Sanctions? Seizing illegal shipments? Securing dangerous materials?

All of these play an important part. But there is always room for innovation. And who is better suited than the wealth of NGOs and think-tanks based here in the US to combine their expert knowledge and life-long dedication to the cause?

I was previously posted in the Philippines, where I worked closely with several NGOs on a peace process and was always impressed by the wealth of ideas and energy that they contributed to the process. One of the things that attracted me to my current job dealing with counter-proliferation was the opportunity once again to collaborate with partners outside government. I have not been disappointed.

I have just spent the morning looking through the various pieces of work that US-based think-tanks and NGOs are doing to prevent the spread of weapons with UK financial support. And what a varied and exciting body of work it is! Young leaders from across the Middle East are thinking about how to make their region safer from the threat of the worst kinds of weapons, including through a very impressive new website. Leaders in the US defence industry are coming together regularly to work out what an Arms Trade Treaty would mean for them — and by all accounts, enjoying the experience. Genetic scientists are collaborating to make sure that this exciting new technology is used to help rather than harm humankind. Representatives from all countries in the Middle East are talking informally about how to make their region free of weapons of mass destruction (and I mean all countries in the Middle East, which is no mean feat!).

A global coalition of NGOs is using their expertise and ideas to help international efforts to rid the world of chemical weapons and influential people are driving efforts to get the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty entered into force so the world never again has to see a nuclear weapons test.

Counter-proliferation is often thought of as a fairly “techie” area of foreign policy — and maybe in parts it is. But as these projects show, it is varied, exciting and vital for the safety and security of us all. They are also testament to the impressive dedication and innovation of the think-tank and NGO community here in the US. So I’d like to take this opportunity to salute our project partners — your work to create a safer world for us all is often unpublicised and unnoticed. It might not make the headlines, but that is the point: you are about avoiding headlines of the worst sort.

With that in mind, I have some welcome news: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has sent out a call for bids for another suite of projects to start in April this year. We are in the market for fresh ideas, so if you are based in the US and have a good idea that could help prevent the spread of weapons, do get in touch with me on Christopher.wright@fco.gov.uk. I’d love to let you know more about what we are interested in supporting — and very much look forward to celebrating the success of more innovative projects next year.