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ICAN Speaks at a UN Press Conference, October 2017

Civil Society and Nuclear Risk Reduction

Aerial view of National Mall

North America

United States

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International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN)

2007 -

The Kremlin, Russia

Eastern Europe

Russia

Portrait of Mao Zedong on Tiananmen Gate in Beijing, China, 1972.

East Asia

China

Amsterdam Centraal, Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Western Europe

Netherlands

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International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (IPPNW)

1980 -

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PAX

-

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Ford Foundation

1936 -

Japan's Itsukushima Shrine

East Asia

Japan

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Western Europe

Germany

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Arms Control Association

1971 -

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Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)

1915 -

Photograph from the 1995 NPT Review Conference

The 1995 NPT Review and Extension Conference

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October 14, 2022	Interview with Sico van der Meer Sico van der Meer discusses his role at the Clingendael Institute, where he focused on nuclear policy at the behest of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He reflects on the impact of nuclear weapons in global politics and the Netherlands' limited, specialized civil society dedicated to nuclear issues. Van der Meer addresses missed disarmament opportunities post-Cold War, due to lack of urgency and funding, and emphasizes the need for civil society’s role in public awareness and nuanced policy discussions, pointing to initiatives like the TPNW as examples of impactful activism. This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.
September 20, 2022	Interview with Peter Buijs In this interview, Peter Buijs recounts his journey into nuclear disarmament activism, influenced by his father’s views and his own medical background. He explains that his work with NVMP and IPPNW centers on raising awareness of nuclear weapons’ catastrophic risks, emphasizing prevention as the only viable option. Buijs highlights that civil society, particularly medical professionals, can exert considerable influence on policy by presenting the humanitarian and health risks of nuclear warfare. He shares successes within Dutch civil society, where NVMP’s activism has led to increased political discourse on disarmament and even influenced government policy positions. This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.
September 27, 2022	Interview with Patricia Lewis In this interview, Patricia Lewis shares insights from her extensive career in nuclear policy and disarmament, highlighting her transition from nuclear physics to think tank and research work. She explains the risks nuclear weapons pose, not only as physical entities but also as symbols of power that disrupt global politics. Lewis advocates for a focus on risk reduction over immediate disarmament, emphasizing that reducing the chance of nuclear weapon use is the most urgent priority. She discusses the need for broader public awareness and cooperation among governments, think tanks, and civil society to address nuclear issues through a humanitarian lens. This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.
September 19, 2022	Interview with Oliver Meier In this interview, Oliver Meier discusses his career and views on nuclear policy, sharing how his experience spans both peace research and security policy. He emphasizes the enduring power dynamics created by nuclear weapons, which he believes destabilize global politics by increasing divisions and complicating cooperation. Meier advocates for civil society to pressure for nuclear abolition while also pursuing practical risk-reduction steps, given the challenges of immediate disarmament. Looking ahead, he expresses hope for a future where international relations can be organized without nuclear deterrence, although he acknowledges this shift will require significant political, rather than technical, change. This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.
December 8, 2022	Interview with Harald Müller Harald Müller recounts his lifelong interest in nuclear issues, stemming from the Cuban Missile Crisis, and his extensive career at the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF). He emphasizes the dual role of nuclear weapons as both a deterrent, especially against threats like Russia's current aggression, and a danger due to the possibility of catastrophic misuse. Müller suggests a multi-faceted approach to nuclear disarmament, advocating for academic input, practical policy steps, and international cooperation, while recognizing that genuine disarmament requires alignment among global powers, including autocratic states. Despite recent geopolitical setbacks, he remains cautiously hopeful for future nuclear arms control, though he stresses the importance of conventional deterrents in a potential nuclear-free world. This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.
December 2, 2022	Interview with Gerard de Korte In this interview, Bishop Gerard de Korte discusses the Catholic Church's stance on nuclear weapons, emphasizing moral opposition to their use and the Church’s complex stance on deterrence. He notes that while nuclear disarmament is important, it has taken a backseat to more pressing social justice and environmental issues, particularly in Dutch society. De Korte highlights that the Vatican and Church leaders condemn nuclear weapons, but Dutch Catholics often support NATO's deterrence strategy, reflecting a lack of unified consensus. He concludes that a nuclear-free world would still face significant security challenges due to conventional weapon threats and international tensions. This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.
January 18, 2023	Interview with Francesco Vignarca Francesco Vignarca describes his journey into advocacy as part of Italy's largest peace and disarmament network, merging activism with scientific rigor to address arms trade, military spending, and nuclear disarmament. He believes nuclear weapons threaten global democracy by disproportionately empowering a few nations, and he advocates for a multilateral, cooperative approach to security. His organization, closely allied with ICAN, pursues both normative and practical steps toward disarmament, including mobilizing Italian municipalities to support the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Despite the challenges, he remains optimistic about achieving global nuclear disarmament through grassroots efforts and sustained political engagement. This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.
March 22, 2023	Interview with Emma Belcher In this interview, Emma Belcher describes her journey into the nuclear field, inspired initially by her early exposure to anti-nuclear activism and later drawn to grantmaking through roles at the MacArthur Foundation and Ploughshares Fund. She discusses nuclear weapons as a "necessary evil" but hopes for a future without them, noting that recent conflicts like Ukraine highlight the urgent need for global nuclear awareness to prevent an arms buildup. Belcher reflects on challenges within the field, including reduced funding, limited public engagement, and entrenched norms that hinder collaboration and creativity. She emphasizes the importance of inclusivity, advocating for new perspectives and cross-field partnerships to build a more innovative, impactful approach to nuclear disarmament. This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.
November 8, 2022	Interview with Daniel Högsta In this interview, Daniel Högsta discusses his journey into ICAN, beginning as a law student interested in public international law, eventually interning with ICAN in 2013, and now working as an advocacy coordinator. He views nuclear weapons as destabilizing and highlights ICAN’s role in advocating for nuclear disarmament through a humanitarian lens, contrasting ICAN's approach with traditional deterrence views. Högsta emphasizes ICAN's unique, coalition-based structure, which collaborates with governments, academics, and civil society, each focusing on eliminating nuclear weapons while complementing the NPT. He is optimistic about the future impact of ICAN’s efforts, even if immediate results may not be visible, and he envisions a world without nuclear weapons as one founded on international norms and cooperation. This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.
November 11, 2022	Interview with Beatrice Fihn In this interview, Beatrice Fihn shares insights on her journey to lead the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) and reflects on nuclear disarmament. She discusses her evolving views on nuclear weapons, describing them as both a global threat and largely ineffective in providing real security. She emphasizes ICAN's mission to make disarmament accessible, promote the humanitarian impact of nuclear arms, and engage diverse partners worldwide. Fihn critiques the nuclear status quo, attributing it to government and corporate interests that prioritize stability over disarmament, while highlighting ICAN’s commitment to collaborative, adaptable advocacy. Looking ahead, she remains hopeful yet cautious about achieving a world without nuclear weapons, noting the importance of sustained effort from civil society. This document summary was generated by an artificial intelligence language model and was reviewed by a Wilson Center staff member.

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