August 2010 - CND
Christopher Wood, CND and CCND
Dear Friends,
The previous few months have allowed me to gain first-hand experience of high-level diplomatic work and gain a better understanding of international disarmament politics, as I accompanied a team of CND representatives at the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference at the UN in New York in May. I had a great experience attending the NPT, as I supported CND in networking with the international peace movement and lobbying delegates of the conference to work towards global nuclear abolition. It was very inspiring to join with other passionate campaigners from across the globe to work to build our shared vision of a nuclear free future.
Nowhere was this more evident than at CND’s Fringe meeting Persistent Proliferators: Can we expect better from the Nuclear Weapons States with speakers from the peace movements in the UK, US, Japan, and France all contributing to a lively and informative discussion. A particular highlight of the conference for me was attending an international youth rally in the Dag Hammerskjold Plaza near to the UN. Meeting other young activists with fresh ideas and enthusiasm was really encouraging, and I hope that the energy I saw here can be translated into further impetus towards disarmament.
It was disappointing that the leaders of the Nuclear Weapons States have made no further commitments to take steps towards global abolition. The British government’s policy of replacing Trident and keeping the issue from being seriously debated on the strategic defence review is a sad representation of this wider problem. Yet there were still some encouraging signs, and the agreement to work towards a Nuclear Weapons Free Zone in the Middle East gives me hope that progress can be made before the next Review Conference in 2015.
Since we have returned from the UK we have continued to build upon the work done in New York to take a step towards nuclear abolition. On the 5th June, Christian CND organised an event at the Aldermaston Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) to call for a Nuclear Weapons Convention (NWC) banning all nuclear weapons. The event, called Strictly Disarming brought together supporters of global disarmament in a competition exploring the concept of a Nuclear Weapons Convention, with participants bringing their interpretation of the letters ‘NWC’ through music, theatre, posters or placards, which was judged by a panel. We were treated to an array of creative performances including some poetry, balloon making, dancing, and flag waving which created a lively and enjoyable atmosphere. It was encouraging to see a broad range of people come along to this light-hearted event, to show their support for nuclear abolition and find out more about our campaigns, who otherwise may be dissuaded to participate in direct action.
One lesson I have leaned this year is the importance of organising a range of campaigning activities to build a culture of inclusivity and openness in the peace movement. The event at AWE was part of a global Nuclear Abolition Day, as thousands of people across the world took part in local actions responding to the outcome of the NPT Review Conference, and it was great to hear from the contacts we made in New York about how other actions went across the globe from New York to Brisbane.
These final weeks are marking an exhilarating end to my year as a Peaceworker as two major projects, one for CND and the other for Christian CND, reach their culmination. Through the Network of Christian Peace Organisations (NCPO) on behalf of Christian CND, I have been helping to coordinate the Peace Zone for this year’s Greenbelt Festival at Cheltenham Race Course on the bank holiday weekend in August. We will explore the concept of Active Nonviolence in Christianity, with a particular emphasis on Palestine-Israel, highlighting the work of nonviolent activists to resist the occupation of the West Bank, and exploring the use of drones in the occupied territories. NCPO’s contribution to Greenbelt also includes a debate between a military chaplain and The Friend journalist, Symon Hill, who will be talking about Christian perspectives on the military, and an exploration of a Christian challenge to Britain’s war culture by Bruce Kent, who is, remarkably, making his first appearance at Greenbelt. Throughout the planning of the Peace Zone, we have been reflecting upon whether we will be planting seeds of inspiration for those who are perhaps new to campaigning, and offering fruit for the more seasoned activists to get involved with our campaigns. I hope that through our various activities and creative installations we can offer something for everyone.
Building upon this insight and reflecting upon my experience of peace campaigning, a crucial observation has been the importance of education in highlighting the moral, economic, and legal implications of nuclear weapons. Therefore, a central part of my work for CND for the remainder of my placement will be raising awareness of the horrific reality of nuclear devastation through helping to organise the exhibition After the Bomb Dropped: How Hiroshima and Nagasaki Suffered. CND worked with Quaker Peace & Social Witness and the Hiroshima Peace Museum to bring an exhibition to London exploring the atomic destruction of Hiroshima and Nagasaki at the end of the Second World War, through photographs and artefacts recovered from the wreckage. As part of this exhibition, we also organised a series of events which included hosting Shoso Kawamoto, a 'Hibakusha', or A-bomb survivor, to give his testimony of living through atomic destruction. For me, it is a privilege to be part of bringing his poignant and tragic story to new audiences, and to provide people with the opportunity to discover what happens when nuclear weapons are actually used. I only hope that through his account we will be both humbled by his experience and inspired to rid the world of these abominable weapons once and for all.
Ultimately, it will only be through the galvanisation of a new generation of activists that we will see a sustained movement for disarmament that can create a world free of nuclear weapons.
Chris Wood
August 2010
