International Organizations & Nonproliferation Program (IONP)

Training the next generation of policy experts, and promoting substantive dialogue between policy makers and think tank experts on nonproliferation, disarmament and arms control.
Updated: Aug 24, 2011

Training

The IONP has established a unique program of international internships for Monterey Institute students. The students who participate in these internships are given the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge they have acquired in the classroom at MIIS to a professional work situation. As full-time junior professional staff members in intergovernmental or nongovernmental organizations, they gain practical exposure to the issues, problems, organizational structures, and constituencies of the nonproliferation field.

In previous semesters, interns have secured positions at the following organizations:

  • United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), New York City
  • International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Vienna
  • Conference on Disarmament (CD), Geneva
  • Biological Weapons Convention Implementation Support Unit (ISU), Geneva
  • Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), The Hague
  • Organization for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America (OPANAL), Mexico City
  • Preparatory Commission for the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), Vienna

Spotlight: Clint Cowan

Monterey Institute student Clint Cowan describes the path that led him to his current position as an intern at the IAEA:

Growing up in a rural community in northern New Mexico, I would have never imagined that I would end up studying Nonproliferation and Terrorism at MIIS, let alone working as an Intern at the International Atomic Energy Agency. Upon receiving my Bachelor's degree in Government (with a focus on International Relations) from New Mexico State University in 2006, I decided to take time to choose where to get my Master's degree from and what exactly I wanted to study. I chose MIIS because of the commitment it has to provide practical training to students. Although I started at MIIS as a conflict resolution student, I was quickly drawn to Nonproliferation and Terrorism. As I took more courses in the Nonproliferation and Terrorism program I began to find nuclear weapons disarmament and arms control negotiation extremely interesting.

MIIS has lived up to the expectation that I had set for a graduate school. It has given me opportunities to fine tune my interests and sharpen my skills for a future in my field. Through programs like IPSS and resources such as the Center for Nonproliferation Studies and its corresponding IONP program, MIIS is truly giving me opportunity after opportunity to gain valuable work experience.

Upon graduating, it is my goal to become a US diplomat and work on arms control negotiations. I am confident that with the knowledge and experience gained while at MIIS, and working in IONP, my goals will one day be reached.

You can read more about Clint's IAEA experience on his blog!
Return to Top