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3 Anti-nuclear activism today
The TPNW marks an important milestone in the decades-long struggle to abolish nuclear weapons. However, none of the powers that have nuclear weapons have to date signed the treaty. There is still more work to be done. What are the next steps in the campaign and, if you’re interested in this issue, how could you get involved?
Activity 2
Watch this video from Melissa Parke, the Executive Director of ICAN, and answer the question below.
Download this video clip.Video player: session_6_melissa_parke_global_history.mp4
Transcript
MELISSA PARKE
Hi everyone. My name is Melissa Parke. And it’s a pleasure to address you as the executive director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, or ICAN. Our mission at its core is straightforward, yet profoundly urgent: to rid the world of nuclear weapons. As long as nuclear weapons exist, billions of lives hang in the balance. The threat of nuclear annihilation looms large, casting a shadow over our collective future. But at ICAN, we believe that we have the power to eradicate that shadow. ICAN’s work is rooted in the belief that a world without nuclear weapons is not only possible, but imperative. Our campaign has been relentless in highlighting the catastrophic humanitarian and environmental consequences of any use of nuclear weapons, and in advocating for the UN treaty on the prohibition of nuclear weapons, or TPNW, a landmark agreement adopted by the United Nations in 2017. This treaty is a beacon of hope, a testament to what can be achieved when humanity comes together in pursuit of a common goal. But our work is far from over. While the TPNW represents a crucial step forward, its success ultimately depends on widespread support and implementation. And that’s where each and every one of you come in. There are countless ways to get involved in our campaign, whether it’s through grassroots activism, political advocacy, or simply spreading awareness, your voice matters. By joining forces with ICAN, you become part of a global movement that is pushing for change at the highest levels. But let me be clear, this is not just about policy or politics. At its heart, this campaign is about the future of humanity and our beautiful planet. It’s about ensuring that future generations inherit a world free from the spector of nuclear destruction. So I urge you, each and every one of you, to take action. Reach out to your elected officials, organise events in your communities, speak to your banks and financial institutions to say they must divest from nuclear weapons. Use your voice to speak out against the dangers of nuclear weapons. Check out our website at icanw.org and our social media channels, @nuclearban, to find out more about how to get involved. Together, we can build a safer, more peaceful world. Together, we can consign nuclear weapons to the dustbin of history where they belong. But it starts with each of us here and now. Thank you.
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- How can you, as an individual, take action against nuclear weapons?
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Discussion
- The success of the TPNW depends on widespread support and implementation. Individual citizens such as yourself can take action by reaching out to your elected officials urging them to ensure your country signs and ratifies the TPNW. You can organise events in your community to raise awareness of the issue, and speak to banks and companies to encourage them to divest from companies building nuclear weapons.
Perhaps the greatest challenge facing anti-nuclear activism is that the existing nuclear weapons states and some of their allies have so far failed to sign the treaty. The signature and ratification of the TPNW by these countries would help make nuclear disarmament a reality and remains the focus of current and future campaigning by international activists.