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International Day against Nuclear Tests (29 August)
Embrace a world free of nuclear weapons

Events 2010

The United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution 64/35 establishing the International Day against Nuclear Tests, has invited Member States, the United Nations system, civil society, academia, the mass media and individuals to commemorate the Day through all means of educational and public awareness-raising activities.

Plans are under way to observe the Day by various activities, such as symposia, conferences, exhibits, competitions, publications, instruction in academic institutions, media broadcasts and other activities.

The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, and its Regional Centres, together with the United Nations Department of Public Information, will serve as the focal points within the UN system to commemorate the Day, in close collaboration with the Preparatory Commission of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO). The United Nations Information Centres and Services will also be involved in supporting observance-related activities and relaying messages in the countries and regions they serve.

2010

EXHIBITION

Date: 7- 17 September 2010
Title: Embrace a World Free of Nuclear Weapons
Theme: Effects of nuclear tests and the closure of the test site in Semipalatinsk with photographic material from Kazakhstan.
Venue: North Lawn Building (First Avenue side display area)
Reception: 7 September at 5:00 p.m. at the exhibition site. 
UN grounds passes required.Those without passes interested in attending, should contact: itilegen@yahoo.com

PANEL DISCUSSION

Date: 8 September 2010
Theme: Nuclear Weapons: Security or Survival?
Co-hosts: Columbia University School of Social Work and the Mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan
Time: 12:00 to 2:00 p.m.
Venue: Italian Academy, Columbia University in the City of New York, 1161 Amsterdam Avenue (between 116 and 118th Streets).

Programme
Welcome: Dr. Jeanette Takamura, Dean, Columbia University School of Social Work.
Opening Remarks on the Day: Her Excellency Mme Byrganym Aitimova, Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United Nations in New York.
Film: A 20-minute documentary entitled, “Embrace A World Free of Nuclear Weapons”.
Speakers:

This event is open to the public but prior registration is necessary. Please visit
- https://calendar.columbia.edu/sundial/webapi/register.php?eventID=42872

Thematic background
No greater threat challenges humanity's quest for a sustainable future as do the over 20,000 nuclear weapons in the acknowledged arsenals of eight nations -- US and Russia (with over 95% of the weapons), UK, France, China, India, DPRK and Pakistan. Most of these weapons dwarf the destructive impact of the devices used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in terms potency. In one afternoon, by mistake or design, civilization could end.
 
The most important legal instrument addressing this threat is the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and a key step needed to move to fulfil the moral and practical imperative of addressing this threat effectively is the early entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty.
 
The panel will therefore explore the questions of: Where the international community is today and the role played by the United Nations within it, who are the key players and stakeholders, what commitments have been made, what are the actual policies being pursued, and what we need to do to achieve greater security. The expert panellists will also highlight the role of Universities in joining hands together with the United Nations, and other partners in bringing an end to nuclear weapons tests.

Informal Meeting of the General Assembly to mark the Observance of the International Day against Nuclear Tests.

Date: Thursday 9 September 2010
Time: 10 a.m.
Venue: General Assembly Hall

His Excellency, Dr. Ali Treki, President of the 64th session of the General Assembly convened a meeting to observe the first International Day against Nuclear Tests.

Statements by:

During the meeting, a documentary “Embrace a World Free of Nuclear Weapons”, specially created for the Day, was shown.

[ Webcast: Archived Video - 2 hours and 30 minutes]

High Level Workshop to Mark the Day

Date: Thursday 9 September 2010
Time: 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Convened by: the East West Institute
Title: Prioritizing the NPT Action Plan
Venue: Conference Room 3
Nature of meeting: A high-level workshop to discuss the Final Document of the 2010 NPT Review Conference, which has outlined an ambitious 64-point action plan, to operationalize and identify leadership opportunities in international efforts towards disarmament and non-proliferation

Programme

3:30 p.m.– 4:30 p.m. THE 2010 NPT FINAL DOCUMENT: PRIORITIES AND NEXT STEPS

4:30 p.m.– 5:30 p.m. OPEN DISCUSSION

Entry: UN Grounds Pass required. Those without UN passes, interested in attending, should contact: itilegen@yahoo.com

Engaging Youth in Embracing a World Free of Nuclear Weapons

There will be events for youth held in several countries around the world by universities, academic institutions, middle and high schools and youth organizations during the course of the year. The inclusion of youth in disarmament and non-proliferation efforts, advocacy and education is essential. Such activities should not only take place on the Day itself, but throughout the year. The Day provides an opportunity to draw world-wide attention to the necessity of ending the unacceptable risk that nuclear weapons pose and joining together in strong action to assert our common goal – a world without nuclear weapons.  

The Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings and cold war scenarios of nuclear holocaust are remote for the youth of today. Youth need to know that the legacy of nuclear weapons has not disappeared, and need to have opportunities to appreciate the vision of a nuclear-weapon-free world and the multiple challenges — political, military, diplomatic, economic, scientific and technical — that hold back rapidly needed progress. It is only through education and training that youth can be equipped to engage meaningfully in constructive dialogue and action.

Moreover, the cooperation needed to resolve the other critical challenges of our time – environmental degradation, climate change, poverty elimination, for example – is made far more difficult by the instability and incoherence of a world of nuclear weapons imbalance, with a small group of haves and many have-nots. The cooperative peaceful world that youth the world over are striving to achieve requires their collective voice in the movement to eliminate nuclear weapons.

Education empowers and inspires engagement. It is important that the history and rationale for the development of nuclear weapons, as well as ways to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons, be taught. The engagement of Member States and the United Nations, parliamentarians, civil society, academia, religious groups, private sector, and media is essential in the education of the next generation. Universities will need to respond adequately by offering curricula and research opportunities on the political and social impact of creating a world free of nuclear weapons. This will help meet the disarmament and non-proliferation challenges which will be posed by new technologies which will also need to be controlled by law, diplomacy, morality, and cooperation. Today’s challenge is nuclear weapons and the groundwork in disarmament education will serve us all well to meet tomorrow’s challenges.

This is a call for youth to engage in advocacy and take action through

Youth, the energizers of today and leaders of tomorrow, can and have changed the world!

They have the power to bring an end to nuclear tests and weapons for a safe and secure world.