Expanding Current CSP Partnerships

The lUPAC project Multiple Uses of Chemicals, in conjunction with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), has developed educational material for chemists and chemistry teachers about the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). The materials are available on the Internet, and discuss beneficial uses of chemicals, and possible misuses of chemicals, including the production of chemical weapons. 

The International Year of Chemistry (lYC) in 2011 came about through a partnership between lUPAC and UNESCO. Regional, national, and local chemical societies organizations teaching and research institutions governments and industry will collaborate in a series of events to celebrate the accomplishments and future of chemistry during lYC 2011. 

While issues of safety and security are not included in the specific goals of lYC 2011 celebrations, the increased attention that will be given to chemistry topics during lYC 2011 provides an excellent opportunity for outreach on chemical laboratory safety and security, including the misuses of chemicals. 

Members of lUPAC are representatives of many other organizations, some of which could facilitate the development of an organizational network focused on safety and security. The fellows of the lUPAC Safety Training Program can be approached to assist in dissemination and use of 

The OPCW is the implementing body for the CWC, which underlies the outreach efforts of the CSP. There are 188 nations (98 percent of the global population) that have joined the OPCW. The OPCW maintains a Web site with a list of scheduled chemicals, an important resource for instructors and other persons responsible for maintaining laboratory safety and security. OPCW provides funding for its officers to speak at important conferences to introduce the OPCW and CWC to encourage involvement by the chemical community. The OPCW also provides grants for instrumentation and research to foster the peaceful applications of chemistry. 

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