Dear friends,
As the Global Security Institute prepares for a new season of activities to advance nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, we would like to pause and share a few words in memory of Dr. Alan Phillips. Dr. Phillips was an outstanding citizen, physician and activist whose dedication to the abolition of nuclear weapons continues to inspire our efforts. Please click here to read more about the exceptional life of Alan Phillips, and how you can help keep his memory alive by supporting the work of nuclear abolition organizations.
Over the next several weeks and months, GSI, through our family of programs, has a host of activities already underway. From collaboration with the Nobel Laureates at a historical conference in Norway to seminars for diplomats at the United Nations, GSI continues to advance a cooperative model of security for all. Click here to see the GSI Event Calendar: Autumn 2008.
For more information on attending one of our events, please contact our New York office, unless otherwise noted.
It is important to note the potential serious setback in the world’s non-proliferation efforts. The approval by the Nuclear Suppliers’ Group of the US-India nuclear sharing deal makes our advocacy for the elimination of nuclear weapons all the more critical. US Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher has effectively highlighted the significance of the US-India arrangement. We direct your attention to several pertinent commentaries by our expert colleagues, including Daryl Kimball of the Arms Control Association and David Krieger, MPI Steering Committee Member and President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation.
In Memoriam:
Dr. Alan Phillips
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The Global Security Institute deeply mourns the loss of our friend, Dr. Alan F. Phillips, a committed, passionate activist and citizen who selflessly dedicated much of his intellectual and material resources towards the elimination of nuclear weapons. On behalf of GSI and our family of programs, I extend my most heartfelt condolences to his family.
Perhaps it was Alan’s having lived in four different countries, spanning three different continents that set the foundation for his efforts for world peace. Alan, who was born in China, raised in England and who spent his adult life in North America, had a profound appreciation for our common humanity.
Experiences and insights into the world of physics and radiation that fueled his passion for nuclear abolition. As one of the early developers of radar during World War II, Alan later became a leader in the burgeoning field of radiation therapy and clinical radiotherapy. Alan’s tools for healing and for life, he knew, had a darker, evil side of death and destruction; it is perhaps this intimate understanding of the secrets of the atom that imbued him with a unique moral imperative to work for nuclear weapons elimination.
Perhaps, though, it was simply his deep love for life that infused his activism for peace. Alan was a loving husband, father and friend to many, but he was also an avid gardener, sailor, reader and polymath. To revel in the joys of life, as Alan did, is to express gratitude for all of humanity’s gifts. Perhaps his tireless work to prevent nuclear war was, at a very basic level, simply Alan’s expression of gratitude for a beautiful life, well-lived.
His family requests that anyone wishing to make a contribution to nuclear abolition in Alan’s memory should do so through via the Global Security Institute (by clicking here) or to the International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War. IPPNW can also be contacted at: 727 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139 USA, (617) 868-5050.
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GSI Event Calendar:
Autumn 2008
Details are subject to change. To confirm you have the most updated information, contact the Global Security Institute at: (646) 289-5170 unless otherwise noted.
• September 10-12
Conference: Point of Peace Summit: Conference on Climate and Conflict.
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President Kim Dae-Jung and
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Speakers include Nobel Peace Laureates Kim Dae-Jung (2000), former President of South Korea; Mairead Corrigan Maguire (1976); and Rajendra Pahcauri (2007). Other participants include Jan Egeland, former Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs; Kjell Magne Bondevik, Former Prime Minister of Norway and others. We are pleased that Mr. Jonathan Granoff, President of the Global Security Institute, is actively involved in this conference as the summation speaker each day and as part of the International Peace Bureau delegation. Click here for a full conference program.
Where: Stavangar, Norway
For more information: See the Point of Peace website at www.pointofpeace.no
• September 18
Award Ceremony: GSI Advisory Board member Mikhail Gorbachev receives the National Constitution Center’s Liberty Medal.
WHERE: National Constitution Center
Independence Mall, 525 Arch Street
Philadelphia, PA
WHEN:7 PM. Guests must be seated by 6:30 PM
For more information: https://www.constitutioncenter.org/libertymedal/about.html
• September 18-19
Conference: “Are We Safe Yet? Vulnerability and Security in an Anxious Age”: Conference at the Yale Center for Faith and Culture.
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Rev. Tyler Wigg Stevenson |
Speakers include Sergio Duarte, UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs; Hon. Douglas Roche, O.C., Chairman of the Middle Powers Initiative; GSI Board Member Rev. Tyler Wigg Stevenson and GSI President Jonathan Granoff.
Where: Yale Divinity School, 409 Prospect Street. Click here for driving directions and map.
When: Registration opens at 5:30 pm. Click here for a full conference program and events schedule.
For more information: Click here for more information or to register for the conference, or email the Yale Divinity School.
• September 21-23
Conference: Global Creative Leadership Summit
Confirmed delegates include Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende of The Netherlands, President Bingu Wa Mutharika of Malawi, President Manuel Zelaya of Honduras, WTO chief Pascal Lamy and others.
Where: New York City
For more information: www.creativeleadershipsummit.org
• September 24
UN Panel Event: Promoting the entry-into-force of the Comprehensive nuclear Test-Ban Treaty. Sponsored by the CTBT Organization (CTBTO), the UN Office of Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and the Foreign Ministers of the “Friends of the CTBT”, including Australia, Canada, Japan, Finland and the Netherlands.
Speakers include: Mr. Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations; Dr. William Perry, former Secretary of Defense; Mr. Michael Douglas, actor and UN Messenger of Peace; and prominent foreign ministers.
High-level luncheon to follow, co-sponsored by the Government of Austria, the UNODA and the Global Security Institute, with further participation of CTBTO Chairman Tibor Toth, Ambassador (ret.) Max Kampelman, Bipartisan Security Group Chairman Ambassador (ret.) Thomas Graham, Dr. William Perry and Mr. Michael Douglas.
Where: United Nations Conference Room IV (TBC)
When: 9:30- 11 AM. Press Conference at 11.
** This event is by invitation only **
• October 7
Book Launch: MPI Chairman Douglas Roche launches his nineteenth book, “Creative Dissent: A politician’s struggle for peace“
Where: United Nations Bookstore, New York
When: 1 PM
For more information: Contact Mr. Jim Wurst, MPI Program Director: +1 (646) 289-5170. See also Senator Roche’s website
• October 9
MPI Seminar: “Removing Nuclear Weapons from the Security Equation: The responsibilities of the United States, Russia and NATO”
Where: United Nations Conference Room 8
When: 1:15-2:45 PM
For more information: Contact Mr. Jim Wurst, MPI Program Director: +1 (646) 289-5170.
• October 13
GSI Panel Event: “Cooperation in a Challenging Security Environment” speakers TBC.
Where: United Nations Conference Room 8
When: 1:15- 2:30 PM
For more information: Contact Ms. Rhianna Tyson, GSI Senior Officer: +1 (646) 289-5170
• October 16
Seminar: “Its the Future, Stupid!” Special Nuclear Weapons Seminar to mark Senator Roche’s 80’s Birthday.
Where: Ottawa, Canada
When: 9:30 AM – 12 PM
For more information: Contact Mr. Adam Nester, GSI Program Assistant: +1 (610) 668- 5471.
• October 17-20
Conference: World Academy of Art and Science 2008 General Assembly: “Anthropocene Crisis: Perils and Possibilities of the 21st Century.”
GSI President and WAAS Fellow Jonathan Granoff speaks in sessions devoted to nuclear disarmament and space weaponization. Click here for a full conference program.
Where: Hyderabad, India
For more information: See the WAAS website at www.worldacademy.org
• October 20
Panel Event: “Prospects for preserving a cooperative security framework in outer space”. Co-sponsored by GSI, the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research and the Secure World Foundation. Speakers include: H.E. Mr. Victor Vasiliev, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations in Geneva; Mr. Nicolas Gerard, UNIDIR Project Development and Conference Coordinator; and Mr. Ray Williamson, Executive Director of the Secure World Foundation. Ambassador (ret). Robert Grey, Jr., Director of the Bipartisan Security Group, will chair.
Where: United Nations Conference Room 4, New York
For more information: Contact Ms. Rhianna Tyson, GSI Senior Officer: +1 (646) 289-5170
