Final Report on Students for a Nuclear Weapons-Free World Conference



WORLD FEDERATION OF UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATIONS FEDERATION MONDIALE DES ASSOCIATIONS POUR LES NATIONS UNIES

 A peoples’ movement for the United Nations

 

STUDENTS FOR A NUCLEAR WEAPONS-FREE WORLD CONFERENCE

 13-16 July 2008, Geneva

 REPORT

The Students for a Nuclear Weapons-Free World Conference was held from 13-16 July 2008 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.   The conference, which brought together the winning students of a global essay, video, and poster competition to work together on the question of how to free the world of nuclear weapons, was organized by the World Federation of United Nations Associations in collaboration with the World Academy of Art and Science.

The  fifteen  winning  students  came  from  Afghanistan,  Australia,  Belgium,  China,  Colombia, Jamaica, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Russia, Singapore, Slovenia and USA. The final selection was made by a  committee chaired by the Hon. Douglas Roche, on the recommendation of the NGO Committees on Disarmament in New York and Geneva.

The goal of the conference was to create a dialogue among the students, disarmament and security experts from international organizations, member states, NGOs and academia, as well as to define communication and outreach strategies.

At their own initiative, a group of students from Germany participated in the program of activities and filmed the proceedings. A short video was shown on Youtube and the final documentary will be made available shortly on www.disarmamenthub.org.

The list of the names of all the students and a photo gallery of the conference is attached.

The Ambassadors of Belgium and Sweden hosted luncheons for the students and WFUNA staff. The welcome reception took place on Sunday, 13 July 2008, at the John Knox Centre in Geneva.

Ms.  Pera  Wells,  Secretary-General  of  the  World  Federation  of  United  Nations  Associations (WFUNA), and Mr. John Cox, Member of the Board of Directors of the World Academy of Art and Science, (WAAS)  welcomed  the  winners  of  the  competition  and  all  other  participants  to  the conference.

Monday 14 July

Welcome Statements

The Conference was opened by Dr. Hans Blix, the President of WFUNA.

Dr. Hans Blix shared recollections of his first international seminar, which was held by WFUNA in Geneva, in 1950. Dr. Blix pointed to the crucial role of students, advising them to make good use of time, and start with learning as many things as possible. He spoke of constructing a “Map of the World”, a map not merely of geography, but also of history and sociology.

Dr.  Blix  then  presented  an  overview  of  the  Students  for  a  Nuclear  Weapons-Free  World competition which had invited students from all over the world to produce a an essay, a video or a poster–answering the question “What do you think can lead governments to stay away from, or do away with, nuclear weapons?” Over 240 submissions were received from 49 countries.

Dr. Blix introduced Mr. John Cox and Mr. Robert Berg, trustees of the World Academy of Arts and Science (WAAS). The organisation was founded by leading scientists and intellectuals such as Albert Einstein, Robert Oppenheimer and Bertrand Russell, and was the principal co-sponsor of the conference.

The  statement  by  H.E.  Sergei  Ordzhonikidze,  Director-General  of  the  Palais  des  Nations, delivered by Tim Caughley, Director of the ODA in Geneva, highlighted the importance of the UN’s work on disarmament.  He said that the Conference on Disarmament (CD) is the centrepiece of the disarmament  machinery. It is the sole multilateral disarmament negotiating body in the world and has produced  major multilateral agreements, such as the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty  (NPT),  the Comprehensive  Nuclear-Test-Ban  Treaty  (CTBT),  the  Biological  and  Toxin Weapons Convention and the Chemical Weapons Convention. Although the CD has been unable to pursue negotiations due to differences between its members in the past decade, this impasse stands  in  contrast  to  a  new intensity  in   international  concern  over  nuclear  disarmament. Numerous initiatives, including the report by the  Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission, have come from outside the UN, and it is hoped that they will lead to a revitalization of efforts towards a nuclear weapons-free world.

A  video-recorded  message  from  H.  E.  Mr  Sergio  Duarte,  the  UN  High  Representative  for Disarmament, was shown.   Mr. Duarte congratulated the students, emphasised the importance of the educational approach, and stated that participation from forty-nine countries shows that the nuclear disarmament issue is in the hearts and minds of the people around the globe.

Dialogue between Dr Blix and the students

Dr. Blix stated that the issue of nuclear disarmament could be approached from several different perspectives:

  • Procedural questions, including campaign strategies;
  • Study programs or seminars on the issue of nuclear disarmament;
  • Policies that address the various dimensions of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament.

Dr. Blix noted that apart from climate change, there are other “inconvenient truths” in the daily lives of people around the globe which include poverty, the violation of human rights, and the food crisis. However, a nuclear weapons-free world is first in the list of “inconvenient truths” that must be resolved. The best way to do away with nuclear weapons is to make governments feel that they do not need them.

Students offered different perspectives on the question of how to achieve a nuclear weapons-free world. Nicolas Forero Villareal (Colombia), presented his video “Power  of the People.” He proposed to create a program to make younger generations active participants in the disarmament process, citing the Colombian initiative, “Voluntary Disarmament in the Streets” as a successful example  of  a  people’s  movement  for  disarmament  that  is  already  taking  place.  Rushaine Cunningham (Jamaica) stated that the collaboration of many different countries was necessary for the realization of a nuclear weapons-free world.  Emily Gleason (USA) considered that it is useful to focus on the positives when discussing nuclear disarmament, and that such an approach will help to develop a clear message that is fresh and viable. Wilson Chau (New Zealand) explained that people interpret the  idea of security differently.  Governments will remain blind towards nuclear disarmament unless  “security” is redefined.                                                   

Catriona Standfield (Australia) and Pin Quan  Ng  (Singapore)  spoke  on  effective  communication,  especially  in  the  context  of  the interaction between politicians and civil society. Sven Sobrie (Belgium) was interested in legal aspects of nuclear disarmament stating that treaties are important but currently insufficient and should go further to establish the principle that any breach of the NPT is a breach of a peremptory norm. Brian Chan (Malaysia)  presented a video he had produced. He noted that many young people today are apathetic on this issue and that it is important to provide information, and the right amount, neither too much nor too little to  encourage people to pressure governments to make changes. The UN is an appropriate starting point, as every country is treated as an equal at the UN. Diana Rozhnova (Russia) said that society itself helped shape the idea that only states with nuclear weapons can be “super” powerful. This approach must be changed by involving the people in disarmament processes.

Vision of the World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS) for a Nuclear Weapons-Free World: Recalling the Concerns and Hopes of Einstein, Oppenheimer and Russell

Mr. Robert Berg, Member of the Board of Directors, WAAS

Mr. Berg provided an introduction to the World Academy of Art and Science, which came about in 1960 at the urging of Albert Einstein. The Academy today is composed of about 600 members from all disciplines.   Since   1964,  the  WAAS  has  been   actively  engaged  in   conflict  resolution, peacebuilding and nuclear disarmament.

There  are  many  aspects  of  disarmament  that  need  to  be  pursued:  increasing  safety,  space weaponization, and cutting down massive nuclear forces to minimal nuclear deterrence, and total elimination. Nuclear disarmament is too important to have all the big issues in one negotiating basket and therefore multiple approaches must be developed.

There  are  promising  roles  for  non-nuclear  states  which  should  be  explored  and  expanded. Development of new non-nuclear weapons may be the key to elimination of nuclear weapons and unexpected friends may be found in military leaders.

Alliances across generations should be created, that is why the work of WFUNA is important in encouraging youth to think constructively about these issues. The challenge is to put the problem of  nuclear  disarmament into the mainstream. History is on our side: peace is prevailing over violence.  New political figures of  promise  are coming to  the forefront while leaders in  most countries are feeling the need to be more responsive.

Mr. Berg asked “Will we have the imagination and the courage to think about a future where inter- state military adventures are a thing of the past, where multilateral security replaces national militaries?“.

Discussion

The discussion focused on the role of nuclear states, in particular the USA and Russia. Participants agreed   that  governments  of  these  two  countries  have  difficulties  in  trusting  each  other, complicating negotiations regarding nuclear disarmament.

It was noted that both the USA and Russia are fighting against terrorism, and a large majority of experts agree that nuclear weapons are not the solution to such threats. Therefore these two countries should collaborate to establish a common programme, which would include a reduction of nuclear warheads.

The relative inefficiency of multilateral negotiations during the last decade, suggested that there is an urgent need for change in leadership, beginning with the US, as it has been the only country that has ever used nuclear weapons.

Panel Discussion 1: Time for a Renaissance of Disarmament at the UN?

Conversation with Ambassadors

Kerstin Vignard, Project and Publications Manager UNIDIR

Ms. Vignard described the pioneer atmosphere around the CTBT discussions in 1995 when she arrived in Geneva. This euphoria soon vanished. “Today the public is conditioned to think about the nuclear threat in terms of the threat of nuclear weapons in the wrong hands, rather than the threat  of  nuclear   armament–any  nuclear  weapon–to  all  humanity.”  She  then  presented  a demonstration by dropping one single popcorn into a bowl, representing the combined firepower of all weapons used in the Second World War. To illustrate today’s firepower of nuclear weapons, Vignard dropped 2,225 popcorns into the same bowl.

H.E. Mr. Masood Khan, Ambassador of Pakistan

Ambassador Khan confirmed the need of a renaissance of nuclear disarmament, but stated that the idealism “must be accompanied by a realistic approach.” The P5, (USA, Russia, UK, France, and China) and especially the United States, have a critical role to play in nuclear disarmament. Khan hoped for change in the Conference on Disarmament in 2009, when the "future policy direction of the USA will be known." Khan replied to a student question on trust-building measures between India and Pakistan, stating that room for improvement exists, and that “both parties were not there yet” due to unresolved issues. He noted that "complete disarmament is an objective, but it is not on the table for negotiation." Still, Khan inspired students in saying, "You are the young generation, speak in future terms, be bold and be outlandish."

H.E. Mr. Marius Grinius, Ambassador of Canada

Ambassador Grinius  spoke  on  the  definition  of  the  word  "renaissance,"  tracing  disarmament efforts back to the 1920s and 30s at the League of Nations, when a lot of the same language that is used today had  already been invented. He identified new advocates for disarmament, such as former US Secretary of  State George P. Shultz or UK Foreign Secretary Beckett.   Amb. Grinius underlined the importance of forging common positions with a humanitarian approach. He agreed that disarmament is not just about  reducing military capacity, but also increasing humanitarian interventions.

H.E. Mr. Hans Dahlgren, Ambassador of Sweden

Ambassador Dahlgren stressed the principle of universality.  He was concerned that  today "more fingers are on the trigger than ever before" and the CD has not moved on. He challenged the classic view that nuclear weapons provide for a state's security by pointing out states like Sweden who chose to stay nuclear  weapon-free even after they had acquired the potential capacity to produce  the  weapons. Sweden  did  not  go  nuclear,  as  its  security  is  higher  without  nuclear weapons. Amb. Dahlgren stated that there are more than enough experts in arms control and that what we need are poets and psychologists. Poets for vision, psychologists to understand why Person A does not trust Person B, and why they are both standing with bats –nuclear weapons — in their hands. The nuclear disarmament is about how to trust people and countries in terms of their national self-interest.

Ms. Ahlam Al-Gailani, Chargé d’Affaires at the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Iraq

Ms. Al-Gailani enriched the discussion with her background in Human Rights and Humanitarian issues. She spoke on the militarization of Iraqi society. Half the state budget is spent on the military, which wastes resources and does not help protect the people or the state. Ms. Al-Gailani declared that the current major concerns for Iraq are conventional weapons and spoke on the need for  a  UN  Resolution on  the  arms  industry.  Regarding  the  position  on  the  Iranian  nuclear programme, she mentioned that the real danger comes from non-NPT nuclear weapon states.

Tuesday 15 July 2008

A Nuclear Weapons-Free World: Perspectives of Parliamentarians

Mr. Alyn Ware, International Coordinator of the Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non- proliferation and Disarmament (PNND)

Mr. Ware presented the Model Nuclear Weapons Convention (2007), a document that addresses the legal,  technical and political elements of achieving and maintaining a nuclear weapons-free world. Abolition  2000 is another initiative, created in  conjunction with the Nuclear Weapons Convention. Mr. Ware also spoke on Mayors for Peace, which counts 2,200 cities in 107 countries and regions as members. It launched  an emergency campaign calling on countries to develop a road-plan for nuclear disarmament.

Mr. Ware stated that the diplomatic community and parliamentarians are key players in nuclear disarmament, for  it is they who negotiate and legislate basic rules, build and monitor entire mechanisms for a nuclear weapons-free world.  PNND has over 500 members from sixty countries and is an international forum sharing resources and information to develop cooperative strategies for nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament issues.

The problem of nuclear disarmament, however, concerns not only those who govern but the whole of civil society. For example, parliamentarians and civil society in Norway have convinced the multi-billion dollar  Norwegian  Pension  Fund  to  divest  from  corporations  involved  in  the manufacturing of nuclear weapons.

Mr. Ware stressed that younger generations have the power to be “movers and shapers” for nuclear disarmament. The Youth Peace Actions, a website created by youth for youth, and the International Law Campaign Peace Wall in Nagasaki are some examples of projects that promote increased awareness among young people of the need for peace in today’s world. Peace cities have been  established  by  youth  in  several  countries  in  order  to  promote  human  rights  and  the elimination of violence.

Discussion

The students asked what incentives parliamentarians had to participate in the Nuclear Weapons Convention.  Mr.  Ware  explained  that  joining  the  Convention  is  attractive  for  governments, because they can realize security in a new framework. They do not need to rely on the military, which  requires   high   investments.   Precious   financial   resources   can   become   available   for governments to spend on other, more valuable, programs.

A student asked if there was a detailed guideline towards the Nuclear Weapons Convention. Mr. Ware pointed out that this is a Model Convention. It means that governments are not compelled to sign it when  they start to negotiate. The difficulty is to convince parliamentarians to start the negotiations.

A similar action is the project leading to a Renewable Energy Agency. This is an international project towards a nuclear weapons-free world. The German government has already assembled fifty countries. With this agency, it will be possible to assist states in the development of renewable energy, so they do not feel they need to go for nuclear energy.

Panel Discussion 2: Role of the media in investigating and interpreting the state of nuclear war preparations in the world

Mr. Philip Knightley, author and investigative journalist

Mr. Knightley stated that reporting on nuclear affairs is too often riddled with misinformation, disinformation,  propaganda,  and  fear-mongering  because  political  considerations  influence assessments on nuclear threats.  He cautioned the students to always ask themselves about hidden agendas and interests when reading a piece of information.

He then raised a few examples of careless security procedures, and the passing of atomic secrets. Building on the story of the Israeli nuclear scientist and whistle blower Mordechai Vanunu, Mr. Knightley questioned  Israel’s  ambiguity  towards  nuclear  weapons  and  accused  the  media  of showing a lack of sympathy towards whistle blowers. The Israeli and Pakistani efforts at acquiring and building atomic bombs were linked to the CIA’s lack of interest in these cases of proliferation. Mr. Knightley went on to uncover strategies used by the American and British governments before the Iraq invasion, and surrounding the more recent cases of North Korea, Syria and Iran.

To conclude, Mr. Knightley gave the students advice in dealing with the media. He stressed the importance "to understand the nature of the beast: bad news is better than good news, people prefer to read about something terrible happening.”

Discussion

A student reported on an initiative to create an international group of independent journalists who would investigate different media releases and sanction negative propaganda and hate speech. Mr Knightley talked about peace journalism, and its code of ethics, which requires journalists to think about the effects of their writing.

The students exchanged ideas  and questions about press  freedom in different  countries,  and whether the internet would increase the spread of misinformation. Mr. Knightley noted that the presumption of free press still does not stop governments from manipulating the media, or from putting a particular government spin on the press, which is also called “perception management.” He considered  that adding a new source of information is good in principle, but that control is difficult on the Internet. Militaries are only now realizing that they are being used as propaganda machines by Jihadists.

Panel Discussion 3: Civil Society Approaches towards a Nuclear Weapons-Free World

Ms. Susi Snyder, Secretary General of the Women’s International League for Peace

(WILPF) and Freedom

Ms. Snyder noted that there are very few people who follow the Conference of Disarmament in depth. “Reaching Critical Will,” a project of WILPF, provides reports on all of the public CD sessions with the aim of keeping people informed.

The General Assembly’s work on disarmament is also important. Although resolutions adopted are not legally binding, they contribute to establishing “customs, standards, and guidelines for appropriate behaviour.” The general public has the right to participate in the debates (e.g. by getting in contact  with governmental representatives at the GA and urging that they vote in a particular way).

Involvement of youth is also very important and meetings such as these are probably the most efficient ways for students to understand the “challenges inherent in negotiating for a nuclear weapons-free world.”

Mr. Colin Archer, Secretary-General of the International Peace Bureau

Mr. Archer provided an overview of the disarmament movement since the end of World War II. Scientists were among the first to react against nuclear weapons during the first decade (1948-1958), although some had participated in their creation. The following decade (1958-1968), was probably the most dangerous in modern history. As the situation between the USA and the Soviet Union  became increasingly  serious,  citizens  of  both  countries  began  mobilizing  themselves. Governments took action as well, establishing the first nuclear weapons-free zones.

During 1968-1978, tremendous protests took place, and at the same time, the issue of nuclear weapons was absorbed into a much broader agenda, with the idea that society as a whole needed to be transformed. The beginning of the 1990s marked the end of the Cold War, the disposal of nuclear weapons by South  Africa and the abandonment of nuclear programmes by some of the former states from the Soviet Union. The 1995 NPT Review Conference made permanent the most important treaty on nuclear disarmament.

The last decade started with an unstable world order, as both India and Pakistan became nuclear powers. Today, the lack of a real political will to achieve nuclear disarmament makes mobilization by civil society crucial, and young people should take a central role in this action.

Discussion

In the course of a discussion about whether there was a place for mass movements in today’s world,  the panelists noted that the largest demonstration in history took place on 15 February

2003, when 110 million people around the world assembled to oppose the US attack on Iraq. Ms. Snyder added that demonstrations happen almost everyday, but the media does not report them.

In response to questions about how to convince people in developing countries to mobilize against nuclear weapons, when they have other much more urgent concerns, such as hunger, corruption or poverty, Ms. Snyder pointed out that the financial resources spent today on nuclear weapons could be used to respond to these problems

Towards the 2010 NPT Review Conference - Guided Interactive Dialogue

Tim Caughley, Director of ODA in Geneva

Mr. Caughley explained the procedure of the NPT review cycle. The last preparatory committee is scheduled for May 2009 and will ideally produce recommendations that provide the focus of the 2010 NPT Review Conference in New York.

There are three major issues relating to the NPT and nuclear disarmament, especially in regards to the value of the NPT.  While the NPT has often been described as a cornerstone of disarmament and international security, there are doubts as to the real determination of the parties to the NPT to strengthen the treaty.

While NPT Review Conference outcomes have no legal impact.  However the political and moral value of a consensus outcome needs to be regarded as especially high, given that all States agree to it.   However, the  practice is different.   While the NPT contains three essential pillars (nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, and the peaceful use of nuclear energy) States have significantly moved  away  from  the  undertaking  since  2000.  Nuclear  weapon  states  voiced  concerns  on suspected proliferation activities of North Korea and of Iran. Non-nuclear states on the other hand fear that the issue of proliferation might be used to distract from the lack of concerted action on the issue of nuclear disarmament.   Given the  destructive force of one single nuclear weapon, it is questionable whether a high number of nuclear weapons is necessary for security concerns.  While nuclear weapon states are reducing the number of their nuclear arsenal, some practical questions remain, such as the cost of destroying nuclear weapons and the sheer time it takes to destroy them.

Discussion

In response to a question on compliance with the NPT, Mr. Caughley noted that nuclear weapons states were conscious of their obligations towards the NPT, and these are generally fulfilled. However, it is very difficult to determine whether their action is sufficient or not. The case of Iran, however, clearly shows how difficult it is to say whether a country is acting according to the NPT or not.

One of the students was concerned with the representation of people suffering from effects of nuclear weapons in forums dealing with nuclear disarmament. Mr. Caughley agreed that very little  is  done  to give  access  to  representatives  of  such  groups  to  discussions  on  nuclear disarmament. He nonetheless pointed out a slight improvement for both the NPT Preparatory Committee and the Review Conference, in which participation is now possible for various groups from civil society.

Wednesday 16 July 2008

Joint-Session: The Human Right to Peace: In Search of a Rights Based Approach to a Nuclear Weapons-Free World

A joint session of the SNWFW Conference and the annual Human Rights Seminar, was chaired by Ms. Pera  Wells, Secretary General of WFUNA. The panel was composed of Dr. Carlos Vilan Duran, President of the Spanish Society for International Human Rights Law (SSIHRL); Professor Alfred De Zayas of the Geneva School of International Relations and Diplomacy; Mr. Tsutomu Kono, Political Affairs Officer of ODA; and Mr. David Fernandez of SSIHRL.

Ms. Pera Wells, Secretary General of WFUNA

In the last sixty years, more progress has been made at the UN in advancing the discourse on human rights than on nuclear disarmament.  The aim of this session was to explore the extent to which the strategies and values underlying the promotion of human rights were relevant to the cause of freeing the world of nuclear weapons.

Dr. Carlos Vilan Duran, President, Spanish Society for International Human Rights Law

The Luarca Declaration on the Human Right to Peace intends to bring a holistic vision of peace, one that includes the absence of war, as well as physical, and structural violence. The declaration takes into consideration the twofold nature of the human right to peace, which contains both collective and individual elements. It illustrates the interrelatedness of human rights: the right to development, to disarmament and to a healthy environment, all contained in the human right to peace.

The declaration is the result of collaboration among a group of experts and civil society actors worldwide. The drafters hope to present the declaration at a world conference of civil society in Geneva in 2010 with an aim to submit a final draft to the Human Rights Council (HRC).

Professor Alfred De Zayas, Geneva School of International Relations and Diplomacy

The hierarchy of human rights places the right to life as a prerequisite to all human rights. In the relationship between human rights and peace, the latter enables the right to life without which the enjoyment of other human rights is impossible.

The interdependence and interrelatedness of human rights has been widely accepted since the Vienna Conference on Human Rights of 1993. As a consequence, the categorization of human rights into different generations (first generation: civil and political rights; second generation: economic, social and cultural rights; and third generation: collective rights, such as the right to development) has become obsolete.

Art. 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Art. 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) prohibit the arbitrary deprivation of life as part of the right to life. War constitutes a far more serious violation of the right to life than individual killings.

Art. 20 of the ICCPR prohibits propaganda for war. Although some have argued that this is not compatible with Art. 19 ICCPR (freedom of expression), the General Comment on Art. 20 has clarified that there  is  no  contradiction:  the freedom  of expression is  linked  to  corresponding responsibilities,  and  it  may  not  be  used  for  purposes  that  violate  or  undermine  the  other stipulations of the ICCPR.

The world is locked into a war-logic, because it is, after all, a big industry. As long as many people are able to make money by waging war, there will always be wars.

Mr. Tsutomu Kono, Political Affairs Officer, Office of Disarmament Affairs

The relationship between human rights and peace is very close, although representatives within the  disarmament   community   prioritize   national   security   over   human   rights.   But   unless governments are held accountable to observe human rights, social stability, security, and public safety cannot be  achieved. If a government does not guarantee human rights, the individual is more likely to use violence, and the danger for a civil war increases.

Confidence building and dialogue is crucial to de-link the power-driven perspective and the right to peace.   Promoting better relationships among countries could decrease the need for nuclear weapons.

A right to disarmament is constructive, especially regarding small arms and light weapons. While nuclear  weapons constitute a potential threat, approximately 700 million small arms and light weapons kill  people every day. Still, small weapons are not even a topic in the Disarmament Committee.  Since the question always comes to sovereignty, the right to disarmament has to be guaranteed by the government as a human right.

Mr. David Fernandez, Spanish Society for International Human Rights Law

There is a difference between the right to peace and a human right to peace. While there has been much action with regard to the right to peace (cf. Friendly Relations Declaration of 1970 and the Declaration on the Right to Peace of 1984), there exists no common definition of the human right to peace. The Luarca Declaration is an excellent instrument to do so.

Students for a Nuclear Weapons-Free World Brainstorming Session

The brainstorming session was moderated by Philip Urech, Disarmament Coordinator at WFUNA in New York. The objective of the session was to plan practical follow up steps to the Conference.

The group soon decided to form a network.  Special attention was given to education and raising awareness through modern communication technology tools such as Facebook and other online forums.  In addition, the network aimed at publishing its own works (articles, posters and videos), not only on the internet, but also through local and national media.

During the discussion, it became clear that the overall vision of this newly established network was  clear: a nuclear weapons-free world. The group set for themselves three major missions: awareness,   empowerment  and  engagement.  Specific  future  goals  were  discussed.  Students expressed the wish to  educate not only fellow students, but also politicians on a national level, through e.g. mass movements such as flashmobs (mass events where people assemble in order to conduct a concerted action that attracts attention) and concerts for the cause of a nuclear-weapons free  world.  Capacity-building,  especially  in   countries  with  weaker  youth  movements,  was discussed as means of empowerment. In order to  actively engage in their cause, the students planned to research and write articles, focusing in particular on the legal nature of disarmament questions. Additionally, they planned  to lobby transnational  corporations involved  in nuclear trade as well as politicians for a world free of nuclear weapons.

Winning students:

Essays: Terhemba Aindigh, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Singapore

Diana Poxhoba, Russia Obaidullah Burhani, Rushaine Cunningham, Jamaica Pin-Quan Ng, Sven Sobrie, Belgium, Catriona Helen Elizabeth Standfield, Australia Alen Toplisek, Slovenia Nicolas Forero Villarreal, Colombia

Videos: Brian Chan, Malaysia,Emily Gleason, USA,  Francesca Yabraian, USA

Posters: Wilson Chun Hei Chau, New Zealand, Django Merope-Synge, Australia, Wong Yeung Kong, China

German student film crew:

Jacob Romer, Nele Rudolf, Anna Warsberg and Yannik Hake

WFUNA representatives

President: Hans Blix

Secretary-General: Pera Wells

Director of Programs, Geneva: Irene Martinetti

Communications Strategist: Fruzsina Molnar

Office manager, Geneva:  Anne Sophie Julliard

Disarmament Coordinators:  Marcus Wilson - New Zealand,

Philip Urech and Marc Caverzasio – Switzerland, Luke Sikorski - USA

A Special Thanks to our Official Partners:

AIESEC

Athgo International

Australian Youth Representative to the United Nations

AVAZZ.org The World in Action

Campaign for a Nuclear Weapons-Free World

Come Clean: WMD Awareness Programme European Youth Network for Nuclear Disarmament Global Action to Prevent War

Global Security Institute

IKV PAX Christi

International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons

International Peace Bureau

International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War

Kids for the Future

Lawyers Committee on Nuclear Disarmament

Middle Powers Initiative

NGO Committee on Disarmament, Peace, and Security

Nuclear Age Peace Foundation

Parliamentary Network for Nuclear Disarmament

Peace and Security Initiative Project for Nuclear Awareness Reaching Political Will

Simons Foundation

The Academic Council on the United Nations System

The Peace Foundation

UN CyberSchool Bus

United Nations University

Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom

World Academy of Art and Science

Photos

The Students with Dr. Hans Blix, WFUNA President and John Cox and Robert BergThe Students with Dr. Hans Blix, WFUNA President and John Cox and Robert Berg

The students with the Swedish Ambassador and Pera Wells at a reception hosted by the AmbassadorThe students with the Swedish Ambassador and Pera Wells at a reception hosted by the Ambassador

Human Rights Seminar and Students for a Nuclear Weapons-Free World joint session on the Human Right to Peace on Day 3Human Rights Seminar and Students for a Nuclear Weapons-Free World joint session on the Human Right to Peace on Day 3

Robert Berg with NicolasRobert Berg with Nicolas

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