Overview

The Convention on Prohibitions or Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons Which May Be Deemed to Be Excessively Injurious or to Have Indiscriminate Effects, or the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) governs the use of certain conventional weapons that are deemed excessively injurious or have indiscriminate effects, contrary to International Humanitarian Law. The Convention and its five annexed Protocols establishes general provisions for the operation of the CCW and provides a framework for addressing emerging weapons technologies used in armed conflicts, while its Protocols are specifically tailored to address particular types of weapons and their effects. The CCW is based on the principle that the means and methods of warfare must have limits and is a core instrument of International Humanitarian Law.

This short course provides an introduction to the CCW and its Protocols, discussing its objectives and purpose and the conventional weapons it regulates and how. The course also introduces the intergovernmental machinery that governs the CCW’s implementation, compliance and development in line with emerging weapons technologies.

Objectives

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

• Justify the significance of disarmament and non-proliferation, especially of nuclear disarmament;
• Understand the object and purpose of the CCW and its Protocols;
• Describe the CCW’s compliance mechanism, including its annual meetings and review conferences;
• Identify the emerging weapons technologies that could fall within the scope of the Convention; and
• Explain the steps a State should take to join the CCW and its Protocols.

	Audience: The course is open to all interested audiences.
	Components and Methodology: Each module takes approximately 20 minutes and can be completed at the learner’s own pace The course consists of two thematic modules: Introduction to Disarmament: Machinery, Processes and the Role of the United Nations The Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW) and its Protocols – Introduction The course is available in English and is held in the Disarmament Education Dashboard, thus participants need a computer or mobile device, with audio and reliable internet connection. No special software is required.
	Certificate: Upon successful completion of thematic modules, including examination and course evaluation a certificate of completion will automatically be issued to the participant.

Short-course Series

The UN Office for Disarmament Affairs Short Course Series aims at making available quality education material on disarmament, arms control, non-proliferation and issues cross-cutting with security, such as gender and development. The courses are targeted for and available to the general public at UNODA’S globally accessible e-Learning platform disarmamenteducation.org.

In line with the UN Secretary-General’s Agenda for Disarmament this short-course series aims to contribute to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.