2011 Past News and Events

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December 9-10, 2011
Middle East Regional Meeting - "Strategies for Peace and Health in the Nuclear Free Middle East"
Ankara, Turkey

November 26, 2011
Red Cross/Red Crescent movement calls for abolition of nuclear weapons
In an historic decision, the Council of Delegates of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies adopted by acclamation a resolution calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons and calling on all national societies to conduct educational campaigns about the unique, catastrophic humanitarian consequences of nuclear war. The resolution was first proposed by the national societies of Norway, Japan, and Australia, and has been the subject of intense internal debate within the Red Cross movement for the better part of the last year.

October 31-November 1, 2011
2nd Ministerial Review Conference for the Geneva Declaration on Armed Violence and Development
Geneva, Switzerland

October 30, 2011
An Occasion to Honor H. Jack Geiger, M.D.
Washington DC, USA
Founding member, Jack Geiger was honored in a special session at the APHA 2011 Annual Meeting.

October 20, 2011
Interactive session on Nuclear Energy
New Delhi, India
After the Fukushima nuclear crisis, the Swiss government moved to phase out nuclear energy. Prof. Andreas Nidecker, President of IPPNW Switzerland spoke on the "Doctors arguments against the civil use of nuclear power." The other key speaker was Gen. Vinod Saighal and the session was moderated by Dr. L.S. Chawla, President IDPD.

October 12, 2011
Dr. Balkrishna Kurvey, one of IPPNW’s long-time leaders on armed violence prevention in India, was elected to the International Advisory Council of the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA).  Dr. Kurvey, along with his physician wife Nalini, founded, the Indian Institute for Peace, Disarmament & Environmental Protection (IIPDEP), where they have worked tirelessly on the issues of small arms proliferation, landmines, and nuclear weapons.

September 22-24, 2011
IPPNW Board Meeting
Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
IPPNW's annual Board Meeting was held in Harvard Square at the First Parish Cambridge Unitarian Universalist.

September 18, 2011
Musikfest Berlin 2011 and IPPNW's 30th anniversary reception
Berlin, Germany
Organized in part by IPPNW-Concerts, the Berliner Festspiele and the Stiftung Berliner Philharmoniker, there was a reception after the concert to mingle with founding activists of IPPNW Germany.

September 17-19, 2011
ICAN International Conference
Geneva, Switzerland
To receive more information about next year's ICAN activist conference, please contact alexandra@icanw.org.

September 6-7, 2011
WHO 5th Milestones in a Global Campaign for Violence Prevention
Cape Town, South Africa
Meeting hosted by the Western Cape Provincial Government's Department of Health. September 7th side business meeting of the Violence Prevention Alliance. IPPNW was represented by Maria Valenti, and Drs. Bob Mtonga, Daniel Bassey and Andrew Winnington.

August 6, 2011
"Reflections on Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Fukushima: Are we witnessing the beginning of the end of the nuclear age?"
By Dr. Masao Tomonaga of IPPNW's Japanese affiliate.

July 11-15, 2011
Arms Trade Treaty PrepCom
United Nations, New York, NY, USA
In cooperation with the Mission of Zambia to the UN, IPPNW members organized a panel, "Health, Women, Development and the Arms Trade Treaty", on Monday, July 11.

July 6-8, 2011
African Regional Meeting
Livingstone, Zambia
IPPNW-Zambia co-hosted this conference with the Injury Prevention Initiative for Africa (IPIFA) and the University of South Africa. The focus was to bridge to the wider injury prevention and safety promotion community in Africa and to meet new members within IPPNW Africa. The African affiliates also launched ICAN Africa. If you are interested in finding out more about ICAN Africa or the regional affiliates, please contact African Regional Vice President, Dr. Daniel Bassey: etimb747 "at" yahoo.com.

June 28, 2011
The Fukushima Nuclear Disaster - special publication
During the first two months of the nuclear reactor crisis in Japan, IPPNW engaged in widespread public education activities and media work to explain what was happening from a medical and public health perspective. A special edition of Medicine & Global Survival—featuring articles, commentaries and first-hand accounts is available for download.

June 25, 2011
Global Day of Action for a Treaty to Ban Nuclear Weapons
140 actions were organized in 25 countries to show support for a treaty to outlaw and eliminate nuclear weapons. The events ranged from film screenings, online declarations, to public events in front of embassies.

June 20, 2011
Roundtable at Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
In attendence were about 20 representatives of academic institutions and NGOs, including RF Institution of International Affairs, Academy of Military Sciences, Center of Political and International Studies, Council of Foreign and Defense Policies, Center of European Security, Center of Political Research (PIR-Center), Institute on Strategic Assessment and Analysis, Center on the Problems of Export Control. The discussion covered a wide spectrum of issues including prospects of nuclear disarmament, NPT, missile defense, export control, fissile materials, arms race in outer space, nuclear weapons in Europe, treaty on conventional weapons in Europe, inhuman weapons conventions and protocols.

June 20-26, 2011
Batumi Georgia Summer School
"Radioactive Waste and Global Ecological Problems" was held over seven days at Shota Rustaveli State University in Batumi, Georgia. The project drew attention to environmental, social and health problems caused by radioactive waste and raised awareness in countries with this problem. Every day victims of radioactive waste suffer from miscarriages, stillbirths, cancers, blood diseases, causing birth deformities, etc. One of the objectives of the project was to invite students and young doctors who face or are at risk of this problem and together discuss and determine the causes of this problem and find a way to solve them.


June 13-19, 2011
Global Week of Action Against Gun Violence 2011
IPPNW health professionals across the globe played an important role in raising their voices that “guns are bad for health – and development.” Aiming for Prevention colleagues in India, Zambia, Kenya, Nigeria, El Salvador and Sri Lanka organized public events, educational sessions at medical schools, a radio show, peace rallies and more.

June 9, 2011
Nuclear-free anniversary and launch of ICAN Aotearoa New Zealand
New Zealand
June 8th was the twenty-fourth anniversary of the New Zealand Nuclear Free Zone, Disarmament, and Arms Control Act, enacted in 1987 to "establish in New Zealand a Nuclear Free Zone, to promote and encourage an active and effective contribution by New Zealand to the essential process of disarmament and international arms control", and to implement five disarmament treaties. ICAN-ANZ will be launched on the Nuclear Abolition Global Day of Action, June 25, in the afternoon at the Friends Meeting House in Auckland - the flyer for the launch event will be available on the ICAN-ANZ website icanw.org.nz.

June 1, 2011
Highest distinction by the German Medical Association awarded to Ulrich Gottstein of IPPNW Germany
Germany
Congratulations to Ulrich Gottstein, a specialist in internal medicine, who was awarded the Paracelsus Medal by the Deutscher Ärztetag (the highest distinction of the German Medical Association)! Dr. Gottstein is a founding member of IPPNW Germany and continues to be committed to peace, reconciliation and working towards a nuclear-free world.

May 25, 2011
UN event - "The Role of NGOs in the Process of Negotiating an Effective Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)"
Vienna, Austria
Dr. Michael Schober of IPPNW Austria addressed the UN NGO Committee for Peace in Vienna, on “The Role of NGOs in the Process of Negotiating an Effective Arms Trade Treaty (ATT).” On the same day in neighboring Geneva, IPPNW co-president Dr. Bob Mtonga participated in a key meeting organized by Saferworld and attended by dozens of government officials in preparation for the 3rd PrepCom for the ATT.

May 17, 2011
Strategy Session: "The Arms Trade Treaty: Crossing the Finish Line"
Washington, DC
IPPNW’s Dr. Donald Mellman from Florida participated in a strategy session on “The Arms Trade Treaty: Crossing the Finish Line,” organized by the Arms Control Association and held at the Stimson Center in Washington, DC. It was attended by a wide range of US-based groups including many from the faith community. Dr. Mellman will participate in the IPPNW delegation to the July ATT PrepCom.

May 6-8, 2011
Nordic IPPNW Conference - Mankind and Nuclear Weapons
Uppsala, Sweden
Swedish Physicians against Nuclear Weapons (SLMK) invited Nordic affiliates to discuss Nordic strategies and how to address our local decision makers to engage in the nuclear abolition agenda. The conference focused on participation and the importance of sharing experiences in order to strengthen ourselves, our affiliates and IPPNW in our work for the abolition of nuclear weapons. The conference was held in Swedish, Danish and Norweigan. For more information: josefin.lind "at" slmk.org

May 5, 2011
Melbourne, Australia
Episode 144 interview from "Up Close" [MP3 and TRANSCRIPT]
"Cells tend to be affected in relation to how rapidly dividing they are, so the more rapidly dividing the cell generally the more vulnerable it is to radiation damage." -- Associate Professor Tilman Ruff

April 29, 2011
Halfweg, The Netherlands
IPPNW activist member knighted for life-long work in healthcare and peace
Chair of the Dutch affiliate of IPPNW, Dr. Herman Spanjaard received the distinction of Knight (Order of Orange-Nassau) from Mayor Bert Bruyn. Dr. Spanjaard's work with the Dutch Association for Medical Polemology (NVMP), IPPNW's Dutch affiliate, has led to several symposia and adjustments in national policies, particularly on landmines and nuclear weapons issues.

April 26, 2011
Washington D.C.
Joint Press Conference [VIDEO]
Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Massachusetts) and the Institute for Policy Studies' Robert Alvarez on the ongoing impact of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster to public health 25 years after the accident, the continuing nuclear catastrophe in Fukushima, Japan, and the lessons from both for U.S. public health and safety.

April 26, 2011
2011 Chernobyl Concert – Words and music on the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl reactor disaster
Berlin, Germany
Featuring Staatskapelle Berlin, Strings of the Berliner Philharmoniker, Andrey Boreyko, conductor and the Chamber Choir Credo, Kiev, Bogdan Plish chorus master, and Therese Affolter and Christian Brückner, speakers. The performance will be broadcast live online and include the following:

Dmitri Shostakovich: Chamber Symphony Op. 110a (orch. Rudolf Barshai)
Anonymous / traditional: Ukrainian and Russian choruses
Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: Symphony No. 6 “Pathétique”
Texts by Svetlana Alexievich, Günther Anders and others

April 25, 2011
Easter March (Ostermarsch) demonstrations
Germany
Following in the tradition of other European pacifist action groups from the 60's, thousands demonstrated on Monday throughout Germany, calling for an end to nuclear power.


April 21-24, 2011
Tallinn, Estonia
21st European Student Congress and Doctors-in-training Retreat

April 15, 2011
What does 'safe' mean in a nuclear disaster?
Article
IPPNW board member, Ira Helfand, says there is no "safe" level of radiation and that while levels reaching the U.S. now are relatively low, they could get much worse if things deteriorate at the Japanese plant. But for now, he advises caution, not panic.

April 12, 2011
Global Day of Action on Military Spending
Worldwide
IPPNW joined an exciting coalition campaign to call attention to rampant military spending worldwide. The Global Day of Action on Military Spending invited groups and individuals to join in common cause on April 12, 2011 to focus public, political, and media attention on the costs of military spending and the need to for new priorities. How would you rather spend $1.53trillion a year?

April 8-10, 2011
Student PSR Conference 2011
Washington, DC USA
The biennial conference hosted by Student Physicians for Social Responsibility (SPSR) was held in Washington on the theme of social justice and medical advocacy: “Rx for Survival”. Dr. Tova Fuller was awarded the first Lown-Alexander-Sidel Award for excellence in medical advocacy. Dr. Fuller was recognized for her ability to inspire other medical students and her contributions to advancing PSR’s mission.

April 8-10, 2011
International conference on Chernobyl
Berlin, Germany
On April 26, 1986 the world witnessed an accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant which opened our eyes to the dangers of nuclear technology. This international conference, organized by IPPNW Germany highlighted the potential dangers of the nuclear production chain, information on the medical consequences of Chernobyl and Fukushima, and offered concrete steps towards creating a nuclear-free world and open up possibilities for action.

April 4, 2011
Health Consequences of Recent Events in Libya
Letter from Medact to Prime Minister David Cameron
"A continuation of the conflict will inevitably lead to more civilian deaths and injuries, and longer term drastic public health consequences for the general population...a ceasefire should be urgently and vigorously pursued and a peaceful resolution negotiated involving all relevant players on the basis of the potential they have to limit the conflict."

March 29, 2011
Nuclear Disarmament: The Great Challenge
Australia
Professor Tilman Ruff – Chair of the Australian Board of ICAN and Rev Harry Kerr – Chair of Pax Christi (Vic), addressed Social Policy Connections on one of the world’s most pressing issues: nuclear disarmament.

March 26, 2011
Germany
250,000 people demonstrated against nuclear energy in Berlin, Cologne, Hamburg and Munich. Photos and video from the demonstrations are now online.

March 26, 2011
Peace Boat's Global Voyages for a Nuclear-Free World
Mediterranean Sea
IPPNW affiliate members attended a three-day conference to discuss and strategize “the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons and all other weapons of mass destruction, on the basis of arrangements freely arrived at by the States of the region, and with the full support and engagement of the nuclear-weapon States.”

March 23, 2011
IPPNW Statement
IPPNW calls on all parties for an immediate cease fire in Libya. Having established a no fly zone, we call on the governments responsible for the international forces for an immediate halt in all military actions, and on the Libyan government and the Libyan rebels to end the fighting and to seek a peaceful conflict solution, if necessary facilitated by UN negotiators.

March 23, 2011
Article by Tilman Ruff, ICAN
The earthquake and tsunami in Japan and complicating nuclear crisis throw into sharp focus concerns about exposure to ionising radiation. What is it, how is it harmful, how much is too much? Find out in "Just in case you missed it, here's why radiation is a health hazard."

March 22, 2011
Public Forum [VIDEO] [ PDF]
Malaysia
Former IPPNW Co-President Dr. Ron McCoy spoke at a public forum organized by the Selangor state government, on the Fukushima nuclear disaster and what that might mean for Malaysia.

March 15, 2011
Worldwide
IPPNW nuclear power and radiation experts from Japan, Germany, the US, and elsewhere continue to provide information and analysis to the media as the crisis unfolds. We will update the Disaster in Japan page periodically with links to interviews, press releases, and fact sheets as they become available.


March 15, 2011
Open Letter From An Iqaluit Physician Concerning Uranium Mining
An excellent letter from a physician member of PGS-Canada speaking out about uranium mining on Aboriginal lands in Saskatchewan.

March 4-6, 2011
A north/ south join Asia regional meeting was held in Kathmandu, Nepal wth the theme of "Peace through social justice."

February 28 - March 4, 2011
IPPNW brought medical expertise to Arms Trade Treaty Prepcom: A dozen IPPNW physicians and others from 6 countries brought the message about the devastating health effects of armed violence to the 2nd PrepCom for the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) at the UN in New York during the first week of March. They participated in meetings, presentations and discussions with delegates as part of the NGO Controls Arms Coalition to urge for a “bulletproof” ATT that considers humanitarian issues in international arms transfers. Get involved! Show the leaders in your country that you want them to support this treaty by writing a Letter to the Editor of your local or city paper. For information on your country’s position on key ATT treaty issues, go to armstreaty.org. For more information, see the UNODA web site or read the IPPNW conference report.

January 15, 2011
ICAN has produced a comprehensive guide to government positions on a nuclear weapons convention — a global treaty to outlaw and eliminate nuclear weapons within a specified timeframe.

January 14, 2011
By Eline van Schaik: 50 years after Eisenhower's warning about the military-industrial complex: Military spending in the spotlight again
On January 17th, 50 years ago, President Eisenhower coined the now world-famous term ‘the military-industrial complex’ in his farewell speech. He warned the nation of the powers within this complex and their influence on policy-making.

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