A world free of nuclear weapons
In January 2007, four former US statesmen (incl. Henry Kissinger) argued in the Wall Street Journal that nuclear deterrence was becoming an increasingly hazardous and ineffective method to counter security threats. Their plea for targeting the zero option instead of merely reducing has been endorsed by the new US Administration as well as Russia. Although several European states have indicated their willingness to rally to the cause, so far neither the European Union nor NATO has clearly endorsed this goal.
2010 provides Europe with two important and rare occasions to show its commitment to nuclear disarmament.
1) The Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) Review Conference in May 2010 will be an opportunity to upgrade - or downgrade - the world’s ambition. The last Review Conference five years ago ended in failure. The EU will present a new Common Position in April 2010 and has until now been quite active in the field of non-proliferation. On the other hand, it has failed to acknowledge that, with two nuclear weapons states among its members and four that store US nuclear weapons on their soil, the EU is also part of the overall problem and has a responsibility towards nuclear disarmament.
2) NATO will adopt a new Strategic Concept late in 2010 to replace its 1999-Strategy. It is now widely acknowledged that only ending the reliance on nuclear weapons in security strategies will truly enable to proceed with disarmament.
Public support is vitally needed everywhere to make changes happen. Churches in Europe can play a pivotal role in relation to political leaders and in society to encourage Europe to seize this historical opportunity. Peace in the world cannot depend on the potential for mass destruction.
The fact sheet by Laurens Hogebrink offers more insights into recent developments.
Statements of the Church and Society Commission of CEC
Public Statement of CSC setting out proposals for the EU policy to the 2010 NPT Review Conference – March 2010
Press Release of CSC reacted to the Nobel Peace Prize of US President Barack Obama by reiterating the plea for Europe to back Obama’s nuclear policy – December 2009
Joint letter of CSC, the Commission of the Bishops’ Conferences of the European Community (COMECE) and the Christian Council of Sweden (SKR) called upon the European Union for transparency in the preparation of the EU position for the NPT Review Conference and requested to be involved in the process – November 2009
CEC, the World Council of Churches and the Church Councils in the USA and Canada addressed world leaders in a joint statement - October 2009
The Public Issues Statement of the CEC Lyon Assembly expressed its strong support for Obama’s new zero policy – July 2009
Other church statements/campaigns
Read WCC statements on nuclear weapons
Visit the UK churches' advocacy website
Read also
The website of “Reaching Critical Will” is an excellent source of information on nuclear disarmament
The website of the Nuclear Threat Initiative offers daily news and in-depth resources about the global threats from weapons of mass destruction
Arms Control Today provides analysis and commentary on arms control proposals, negotiations and agreements
Disarmament Diplomacy is another excellent source of information on disarmament negotiations, multilateral arms control and international security
