Nuclear Age Peace Foundation

Author: NAPF

  • Dr. Ivana Hughes Speaks on Voice of America (VOA)

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    The Pacific Islands are rejecting a Japanese company’s plan to dispose of radioactive wastewater. NAPF President Dr. Ivana Hughes and Kiribati Ambassador Tito speak with Jessica Stone of VOA on why this disposal of radioactive waste into the Pacific is unacceptable.

    Credit: VOA News, April 20, 2023 5:02 PM, Jessica Stone

    “Pacific Island nations are pushing back against Japan’s request to release into the ocean treated radioactive wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, which was disabled in an accident 12 years ago. During the Group of Seven environment ministers meeting this month, the Islanders’ effort gained momentum. VOA’s Jessica Stone reports.”

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  • Remembering Ben Ferencz

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    “Hope is the engine that drives human endeavor. It generates the energy needed to achieve the difficult goals that lie ahead. Never lose faith that the dreams of today for a more lawful world can become the reality of tomorrow. Never stop trying to make this a more humane universe.” – Ben Ferencz

    Caption: Ben Ferencz with NAPF President Emeritus, David Kreiger. April, 2017

    We mourn the passing of and pay tribute to long-time Nuclear Age Peace Foundation’s distinguished member of the Advisory Council, Mr. Ben Ferencz, whose contributions to peace and the rule of international law cannot be emphasized enough. Mr. Ferencz passed away on Apr 7, 2023.

    Ferencz was the Chief Prosecutor for the United States at the Nuremberg war crime trials against the SS extermination squads, consisting of 22 Nazi criminals and responsible for the genocidal murder of over a million innocent victims.

    Following the trials, Ferencz devoted his energy to participating in campaigns to establish an international criminal court with the power to enforce judgments, especially in lieu of an international legal order to enforce the rule of law and respect for human rights. In 2014, Ben Ferencz supported the NAPF initiative, Nuclear Zero Lawsuits by the Marshall Islands against nine-nuclear armed nations. At the time, Ferencz noted, “Current nuclear expenditures and policies are genocidal, suicidal and insane. The use of nuclear weapons, knowing that large numbers of civilians will be killed, is a crime against humanity for which responsible leaders would be held accountable, civilly and criminally, in a national or international criminal court.”

    In addition to envisioning the future of a global order through the UN that would be able to take up the challenges of the 21st century, Ferencz’s publications have widely impacted how institutions implement and think about peace in the context of international law.

    Members of the NAPF community remember Ferencz fondly and with affection.

    “He was an amazing person, unshaken in his commitment to accountability and a law-governed world, and remarkable in his resilience over the course of decades.” – Richard Falk, NAPF Senior Vice President.

    “We had the pleasure of meeting him at the foundation, as I recall, when he was 99. He was delightful to talk to, with a marvelous sense of humor. In addition to being a prosecutor at Nuremberg, he helped found the International Criminal Court (ICC). “There is nothing inevitable about war or peace” he had written, “whether we survive or not depends on us.” The last point he made to us at the conclusion of his remarks was: “Never give up! Never!” – Frank Bognar, NAPF Chair.

    NAPF Director of Communications, Sandy Jones, remembers Mr. Ferencz,

    “He was on NAPF’s Advisory Council and came to the Foundation for a small gathering in 2017. He shared with us his inspiring story, his optimism and belief in the goodness of mankind. He was a great man, and a great friend to the Foundation who will be sorely missed.”

    Dr. Ivana Nikolić Hughes, NAPF President, adds, “Although I never had the chance to meet Mr. Ferencz, reading and hearing about him and his contributions has been deeply inspiring to me. It is people like Mr. Ferencz that have paved the way to a better world and shown us how much we can all accomplish both individually and collectively. Humanity is still in need of saving, and that is what all of us at NAPF will continue to do, while being guided by Mr. Ferencz and his commitment to a just and peaceful world.”

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  • Spotlight on Benetick Kabua Maddison, Executive Director of the Marshallese Educational Initiative

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    For our third spotlight highlighting people in the nuclear disarmament sphere, we are excited to feature Benetick Kabua Maddison, Executive Director of the Marshallese Educational Initiative, as well as an adviser to our youth initiative, Reverse the Trend. Through educational programming, MEI promotes the cultural, intellectual, and historical awareness of the Marshallese people and facilitates intercultural dialogue to foster positive social change (MEI ).

    The interview was conducted March 6th, 2023, over Zoom.

    Jefferson Sheng/NAPF: Tell us a bit about your childhood and high school years. What interested you back then?

    Benetick Kabua Maddison: I was born in the Marshall Islands, and I moved here to the United States in 2001 with both of my parents and my siblings. I have lived in the U.S for 22 years now. Unfortunately, I have not gone back to the Marshall Islands since. Growing up in the Marshall, Islands, I remember a few things. Going to the ocean to fish with my grandfather on the weekends. I also remember doing a lot of stargazing outside, given that the Marshall Islands is a developing country, and so, we don’t have as much light pollution as we have here in the United States. Those are just some vivid memories that I have of growing up in the Marshall Islands.

    Coming to the U.S. was a cultural shock. Coming to a new country, seeing big buildings, seeing so many people from different backgrounds speaking different languages, and experiencing different cultures. And so, growing up here in the U.S, earlier on, I want to say, I had this identity crisis that a lot of Marshallese youth tend to experience, because we are often wondering, you know, do I consider myself Marshallese? Or do I consider myself American, because we live here in the U.S. now? And so, I was really not well-versed in my identity, especially things like the nuclear legacy, for example; or, the Compact of Free Association, which is that agreement between the Marshall Islands and the United States, which allows Marshallese to migrate to the U.S. for employment, education, health, and other things that attract Marshallese to the U.S.

    JS: Being aware of your background, going from high school to college, and now studying political science at Arkansas State, do you think your background had an impact on what you’re pursuing in college?

    BKM: Yeah. You know, I’ve always wanted to go to college ever since I was young. I want to say, even back in elementary school, when I said to myself that I would like to one day enter the Marshallese political arena—becoming a lawmaker and hopefully get to run for the top position. Yeah, right now, I’m studying political science at Arkansas State University, working on my BA (Bachelor of Arts). It’s not just the desire to help my people, but it is also my background. I have family members that serve in the Marshallese government. My grandfather, who is now retired, used to serve as the Marshall Islands Ambassador to Japan and to Taiwan. And before that, he was the Chief Secretary of the Marshall Islands. I don’t know what the equivalent of that position is in the U.S, but it is a top position within the Marshallese cabinet. Also coming from a chiefly background, all of that, has motivated me to take this path of pursuing my political science degree. And of course, to give back to my community and be a voice, especially on these issues that, I think, is important for others to know.

    JS: Something you alluded to, about growing up in the Marshall Islands, you said that you weren’t as conscious of the nuclear weapon issues then compared to when you came to the U.S. How did you become interested in nuclear weapon issues?

    BKM: Well, I was 6 years old when I moved from the Marshall Islands to the U.S. Of course, as a kid, I didn’t know about the nuclear legacy. And it wasn’t until high school, my senior year, that I joined the Marshallese Education Initiative. That’s when I became more well-versed in the nuclear history and all of these systemic issues that are tied to health, the issue of migration, the issues of labor, that we are also seeing here in Arkansas. The reason why these issues all tie back to the nuclear legacy is because Marshallese are here in the U.S because of the nuclear testing program. It’s how our Compact of Free Association came about. And so, since 2014, I’ve been raising awareness, and I continue to learn about the legacy myself. It is a legacy that is filled with lies and secrecy. There is a lot of digging and I try to get out (what is hidden). We are digging for the truth, because for a very long time, we’ve been embracing the American narrative instead of actually saying, no, this is actually what happened based on the (now de-classified) documents that were released in the 90s, under the Clinton administration. Before that, the United States had said that only four atolls, or four locations on the Marshall Islands were impacted by radiation fallout. But documents released in the 90s show that the entire country was actually exposed to radiation.

    In fact, April Brown, MEI’s Chief Operating Officer and I went to Washington DC, to the RMI embassy because the U.S had given them big filing boxes, maybe 20 or so, that had all these de-classified documents inside: However, one, they were not in order, and two, a lot of them were redacted, meaning, blacked out. So, you know, I think, for the next Compact, we deserve a compact that is based on trust, accountability, and transparency. In other words, there is no closure without full disclosure.

    JS: Since becoming the Executive Director if MEI last August, what have you been working and can you share with us any highlights in your collaboration with RTT so far?

    BKM: Honestly, ever since becoming the Executive Director, I’ve been doing a lot more raising of awareness. I was invited to the United Nations a couple of times to speak on issues of nuclear weapons and climate. And then of course, I was able to attend a Human Rights Council session back in October, where the Marshall Islands Mission in Geneva invited me to help them push for a resolution that was focused on technical support and capacity building so that the HRC could assess the nuclear legacy in the Marshall Islands from a human rights perspective. This year, they will be doing those assessments, and next year, they will be sharing their findings with the HRC.

    Aside from attending these international meetings, we’ve also been hosting workshops with Marshallese youth, to talk about these issues that impact our country and our people, issues that are not talked about in their classes, and not mentioned in their history books. So, we are still doing a lot of raising awareness because it is important for the young generation to know, moving forward.

    People often think that we just focus on nuclear issues, but we tell them that we do much more. We actually also help the community with rental assistance, utilities, their Medicaid applications. So, it’s not just nuclear issues, it’s a lot of other things that we help the community with. Because again, all these issues are interlinked, and are often tied back to the nuclear legacy.

    JS: To that end, after becoming the Executive Director, among all the facet of things MEI is doing, is teaching what you are still most passionate about? Or is it going to conferences, shedding light on issues that are urgent right now.

    BKM: I want to say both, because you want to make sure the Marshallese community, especially young people, is aware of their history and issues that are impacting the community. But on the other hand, you want non-Marshallese to know the same things. And so, it goes hand in hand. The other thing is, you know, we emphasize the importance of education in the community. We don’t want people to just view the Marshallese as victims. We want to be viewed as activists, people who are actually doing things to not only make a difference, but also make life better for ourselves, our families, and our communities. And so, I would say that I am very passionate about both.

    JS: Is there anything else that you would like to add that we haven’t touched upon?

    BKM: I think one other thing that we are really pushing for is to increase the retention rate in schools, especially at the college level. One day, we would like to see Marshallese scientists, and other experts conducting these studies so that we’re well aware of what is happening to us, well aware of the on-going impact that nuclear testing has on our community. But also, to, lift our families out of poverty. I think it was not the recent census, but the previous census that showed that 70% of the Marshallese here in Arkansas were living below the poverty line. And so, this is why we are pushing for people to graduate high school, and to go off to college or a trade school.

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  • Dr. Ivana N. Hughes Appointed to the International Scientific Advisory Group

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    SANTA BARBARA, CA–Dr. Ivana N. Hughes, President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation (NAPF), and a Senior Lecturer in Chemistry and Director of Frontiers of Science at Columbia University, has been appointed as a Member of the Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). The TPNW is a landmark international agreement among states that prohibits the possession, development, deployment, use, and threat of use of nuclear weapons and also contains a robust framework for assisting victims of nuclear weapons and remediating contaminated environments. The TPNW entered into force on January 22, 2021.

    This group of respected scientists is tasked with studying key issues to advance nuclear disarmament and to better understand nuclear weapons risks and their consequences. Scientists from countries all over the world were nominated and chosen by the States Parties to the TPNW and include the following experts: Kouamé Rémi Adjoumani, Bashillah Bt. Baharuddin, Erlan Batyrbekov, André Johann Buys, Jans Fromow-Guerra, Ivana Nikolić Hughes, Bwarenaba Kautu, Moritz Kütt, Patricia Lewis, Zia Mian, Sébastien Philippe, Gerardo Suárez Reynoso, Petra Seibert, Noël Francis Stott, and A K M Raushan Kabir Zoardar.

    The creation of SAG is considered a very significant step in forwarding the work of the TPNW.  When commenting upon the critical importance of this group of scientific experts, Juan Ramón de la Fuente, President of the Second Meeting of States Parties to the TPNW and the Permanent Representative of Mexico to the United Nations since 2019, said, “This Scientific Advisory Group exemplifies the recognition of States Parties that further enriching knowledge of the humanitarian impacts of nuclear weapons and a shared understanding of the risks of nuclear weapons…will be important to ensure the effective implementation of the Treaty.”

    Dr. Hughes has been President of NAPF since August 2022, bringing with her an extensive knowledge of the science of nuclear weapons, a deep understanding of the geopolitical complexity surrounding nuclear disarmament, and endless amounts of commitment, enthusiasm, and energy.

    Said Hughes, upon hearing of her appointment, “My commitment to science and the scientific process is only matched by my commitment to a world free of nuclear weapons. Scientists – some perhaps unknowingly – contributed to the development of these ominous weapons and it is my strongest belief that scientists must be a part of the solution. That solution is the prohibition and total elimination of nuclear weapons. I am honored to contribute to the implementation of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons as part of its Scientific Advisory Group and to help ensure that this historic treaty can fulfill all of its promises. Those promises go beyond the lofty goal of ridding the world of nuclear weapons to include providing assistance to victims of nuclear testing and use, and remediating affected environments. In this manner, the treaty reminds us that we must put human beings at the center of any and all discussions of international security.”

    At its inaugural meeting, the Group elected Dr. Patricia Lewis and Dr. Zia Mian as Co-Chairs. Dr. Hughes was named Friend to the Co-Chairs. SAG will continue to meet this year and report on their progress at the Second Meeting of States Parties in New York later this year. The world eagerly awaits their findings.

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  • NUCLEAR DANGERS WITH NOAM CHOMSKY AND DANIEL ELLSBERG

    NAPF’s latest Nuclear Dangers event, reflecting on the Ukraine War one year later, took place this past Thursday. The discussion with Noam Chomsky and Daniel Ellsberg was introduced by NAPF President Ivana N. Hughes, and moderated by NAPF Board Member Cynthia Lazaroff, with commentary by NAPF Senior Vice President Richard Falk.

    Nuclear Dangers: The Ukraine War, One Year Later. 

    Thursday, March 2, 2023, 11:00 am PT, 2:00 pm ET, 8:00 pm CET.

    Noam Chomsky is a philosopher, cognitive scientist, linguist, political commentator, and lifelong activist. He is considered to be the world’s greatest intellectual. He has written more than 100 books, his most recent, The Precipice: Neoliberalism, the Pandemic and Urgent Need for Radical Change was published in 2021. Chomsky has recently commented about this critical time in human history, stating, “We’re approaching the most dangerous point in human history and are now facing the prospect of the destruction of organized human life on Earth.”

    Daniel Ellsberg is known to many as the original whistleblower, in 1971, Ellsberg released the Pentagon Papers, a top-secret study of US decision-making during the Vietnam War. For this, he was charged under the Espionage Act of 1917 and faced a maximum sentence of 115 years. All charges against him were eventually dismissed on May 11, 1973. The author of four books, the latest entitled The Doomsday Machine: Confessions of a Nuclear War Planner, Ellsberg was awarded the 2006 Right Livelihood Award “…for putting peace and truth first, at considerable personal risk, and dedicating his life to inspiring others to follow his example.”

    Richard Falk is a professor emeritus of international law at Princeton University, and the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor’s Chairman of the Board of Trustees. In 2008, the United Nations Human Rights Council appointed him to a six-year term as a UN Special Rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967. His book, This Endangered Planet: Prospects and Proposals for Human Survival (1971), was selected as one of only three Books for the Century (Political and Legal) in the centennial issue of the magazine, Foreign Affairs. His book is also part of a set considered “essential for understanding the century ahead.” Falk’s memoir, Public Intellectual: The Life of a Citizen Pilgrim, was published in 2021.

    Cynthia Lazaroff is an award-winning documentary filmmaker and founder of Women Transforming Our Nuclear Legacy. She is the author of Dawn of a New Armageddon, a personal account of the Hawaii missile scare, published in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists on August 6, 2018. An expert on US-Russia relations, including on the history, geopolitics, military, cyber and escalating nuclear risks between these two countries, over the past forty years, Cynthia has been engaged in Track II and 1.5 citizen diplomacy and mediation efforts with Russia and the former Soviet Union.

    Dr. Ivana Hughes is President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation and also a Senior Lecturer in Chemistry at Columbia University, where she previously served as the Director of the K=1 Project, Center for Nuclear Studies. Dr. Hughes holds a BS with Honors from Caltech, and a PhD from Stanford where she was an American Heart Association Pre-doctoral Fellow. Her work on understanding radiological conditions in the Marshall Islands has been covered widely by national and international media, including by the LA Times. She has just been appointed to the Scientific Advisory Group (SAG) for the TPNW, which was formed recently to advise diplomats on all of the different aspects of the treaty.

  • NAPF President Speaks on Ekotürk with Feyza Gümüşlüoğlu, Nükleer bir savaş kapıda mı?

    Recently, NAPF President, Dr. Ivana Nikolić Hughes, spoke with Feyza Gumusluoglu on Turkish television, Ekoturk, discussing issues ranging from the dangers of a nuclear arms buildup to the existential apocalyptic aftermath of a nuclear winter. We invite everyone to listen as Dr. Hughes navigates the importance of eliminating nuclear weapons as an urgent international concern, especially from energy, security, humanitarian, and environmental standpoints that we must inevitably confront.

  • From the Pacific to the Steppes: Engaging with Frontline Communities on the TPNW

    Report by Christian N. Ciobanu, Jefferson Y. Sheng, Fanely Caba, and Tong Gao

    Images by Jefferson Y. Sheng 

    On January 18, diplomats, civil society, academics, and youth celebrated the upcoming second anniversary of the entry into force of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and discussed the treaty’s promises and its future, particularly as they pertain to affected communities. The event, entitled “From the Pacific to the Steppes: Engaging with Frontline Communities on the TPNW,” was graciously hosted by the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan in New York, with a sizable audience joining virtually as well. NAPF was proud to help and participate in the event, which was co-organized by Kiribati and Kazakhstan, the Co-Chairs of the Informal Working Group on Articles 6 and 7 of the TPNW. Our youth initiative, Reverse the Trend: Save Our People, Save Our Planet, The Prospect Hill Foundation, and the Marshallese Educational Initiative (MEI) also co-sponsored the event. 

    In his introductory remarks, Christian N. Ciobanu, the Policy and Advocacy Coordinator of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation and TPNW Adviser for the Mission of Kiribati, discussed the significance of Articles 6 and 7 in providing assistance to the victims of nuclear tests. Mr. Ciobanu emphasized the Convention on Cluster Munitions and the Mine Ban Treaty’s provisions on victim assistance served as a precedent for the TPNW’s provisions. 

    Following Mr. Ciobanu’s remarks, Ambassador Akan Rakhmetullin of Kazakhstan highlighted the need for the TPNW states parties to establish an international trust fund to help all victims of nuclear testing, including second and third-generation survivors. The crux for a tangible outcome lies in the international community’s ability to stand united in compensating the victims. 

    Offering a perspective on the Marshallese experience, Benetick Kabua Maddison of MEI shared the tragic legacy of U.S. nuclear tests that rendered parts of the Marshall Islands uninhabitable and decimated the country and its people ecologically and culturally. However, Mr. Maddison reminded the audience that the Marshallese were not passive victims and had stood up to the United States both during and in the aftermath of the tests. In this regard, he discussed his perspectives on the current COMPACT negotiations between the U.S. and the Marshall Islands. Examining the international community’s support for victims, Mr. Maddison asserted that the TPNW remains the best hope for the international community to eliminate nuclear weapons, giving survivors of nuclear testing one of the best tools to regain socio-political agency against their perpetrators.

    Continuing on the theme of the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons and the need for international institutions to support nuclear justice efforts, Dr. Togzhan Kassenova recounted the situation for communities living near the Semipalatinsk former test site in Kazakhstan. Dr. Kassenova shared a heartbreaking story of love and loss in the life of Bolatbek Baltabek, a victim but also a lifelong nuclear disarmament activist. Connecting to Mr. Maddison’s remarks, Dr. Kassenova stressed that listening to stories of nuclear legacy from around the world in parallel provides a catalyst for inspiration and resilience-finding.  Her remarks relayed the timeline of Kazakhstan’s powerful decision to dismantle and destroy Soviet nuclear weapons stationed on its territories and the Kazakh commitment to the TPNW as one of the first 50 states to ratify the treaty.

    Veronique Christory, ICRC’s Senior Arms Adviser to the UN, affirmed that the destructiveness of nuclear weapons had increased dramatically, while the ability of the international community (i.e., states and the ICRC) to assist has not. She reiterated the importance of victim assistance to communities affected by nuclear weapons as well as the TPNW’s symbolism of a world free from such destructive weapons. Ms. Christory emphasized that nuclear weapons are ultimately about “how much suffering we are willing to permit – and inflict – on civilian populations.” Such suffering is simply incompatible with international humanitarian law. 

    President of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, Dr. Ivana Nikolić Hughes, discussed the findings of a research team that she was a part of at Columbia University, which conducted several studies to understand the current radiological conditions in the Marshall Islands.  Dr. Hughes highlighted, in particular, the measurements conducted in Bikini Atoll, the site of the first nuclear tests in the Marshall Islands, and the most powerful test, Castle Bravo. Measurements of radiation in the food, as well as background gamma radiation measurements (the first published measurements since 1978), all suggest that Bikini is not suitable for population by a multi-generational community at this time. She finalized by stating that this kind of work is important in helping us to right the historical wrongs but that it is also a reminder of the need to rid the world of nuclear weapons and to enable the TPNW to achieve all of its objectives. 

    At the end of the panel event, Josephine Moote, the Deputy Permanent Representative of Kiribati, expressed gratitude to Kazakhstan for co-chairing the informal working group with Kiribati. She further highlighted the need for the international community to work together on getting rid of nuclear weapons.

    Following the panel discussion,  both the universalization of the TPNW, in particular the likelihood of the Marshall Islands signing onto the TPNW, and in providing context for the positive obligations under nuclear justice.

    Benetick Kabua Maddison expressed his hope that the Marshall Islands will sign onto the TPNW. He acknowledged that due to current security arrangements, the Marshall Islands has yet to sign the TPNW.

    On environmental remediation, Dr. Ivana Hughes expressed her personal belief that a cleanup may be possible in Bikini. She remains hopeful that with the TPNW process, there will be an opportunity for states to come together, alongside the scientific advisory committee and the international community, to address the parallel issues of both victim assistance and environmental remediation. 

    Dr. Togzhan Kassenova further elaborated on the situation in Kazakhstan, where an enormous geographical area was impacted by the tests. Dr. Kassenova stated that a proper clean-up would allow large pieces of land to be released for use by the public (or natural resources). As such, communities need access to the remediated lands that are within the parameters of the new Kazakh law on nuclear safety zones, while uninhabitable hot spots should be properly blocked off, limiting any potential for the harm they could cause. 

    Concluding the general sentiment of the discussion was Dr. Togzhan’s acknowledgment of the need for the public to trust the scientific findings when assessing the proper and responsible use of land. 

    Recording of the event can be accessed  HERE

  • NAPF @ Mission of Kazakhstan: “From the Pacific to the Steppes: Engaging with Frontline Communities on the TPNW.”

    Join us tomorrow at the Mission of Kazakhstan in New York City for our event, “From the Pacific to the Steppes: Engaging with Frontline Communities on the TPNW.” NAPF President Ivana Hughes and our incredible speakers will discuss the future of the TPNW as we approach its 2nd anniversary!

    The event will be held in a hybrid format.

    RSVP for the in-person event by emailing Christian Ciobanu: cciobanu@mfa.gov.ki

    RSVP for zoom HERE

  • Spotlight on Anna Ikeda, Soka Gakkai International (SGI) UN Representative

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    For our second Spotlight highlighting people in the nuclear disarmament sphere, we are excited to feature Anna Ikeda, UN NGO (Non-governmental organization) Representative from Soka Gakkai International (SGI). Soka Gakkai International is an NGO based in Japan promoting peace, culture, and education. Anna’s work centers around disarmament, particularly nuclear abolition and stopping killer robots.

    Tell us about your childhood and high school years. What were your interests back then?

    I was born and raised in Osaka, Japan. I think a turning point was when my family and I moved to Singapore for my father’s work right before I started fifth grade, and we lived there for two years. I still remember a family trip to Malaysia during that time, when we visited a rubber plantation, and seeing children my age or younger working there in the heat. Experiences like that opened my eyes to issues of poverty, inequality, human rights and social justice. I also learned about the history of World War II from the perspectives of Southeast Asia, and how the people there were impacted by Japan’s atrocities.

    In high school, I was very active in choir and student council. These activities provided leadership opportunities where I learned to support and work with others.

     

    What did you study in college?

    I studied international studies at Soka University of America in Orange County in California. I also studied abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina for one semester. After my undergraduate, I went to the University of Denver to pursue a master’s degree in International Human Rights.

     

    When did you become interested in peace and nuclear weapons issues and why/how?

    My organization, Soka Gakkai International, has been working on nuclear weapons issues for many decades, inspired by a declaration calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons made in 1957 by then president of the Soka Gakkai, Josei Toda.

    But to be honest, even though I understood the importance of the issue, I didn’t really develop personal interests until my twenties. Soon after completing my master’s, I was appointed as SGI-USA’s national coordinator of university-level students, and that’s when I was asked to help design and lead a campaign to discuss the issue of nuclear weapons on university campuses through our SGI campus clubs. Through examining the issue of nuclear weapons through the perspectives of my faith, I came to understand why as a Buddhist, I must care about, and take action for, peace and nuclear abolition.

     

    What are you working on at SGI?

    We continue to support the universalization of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) as a partner organization of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN). In addition to working to increase signatories and States Parties of the treaty in places like the Caribbean, we also have been advocating for the importance of peace and disarmament education as a way to universalize the norms of the TPNW. In this regard, I was really excited about the side event on humanitarian disarmament education NAPF invited us to co-organize during the UN General Assembly First Committee last October.

    As an organization working to promote peace, culture, and education based on Buddhist principles, SGI has also been active in interfaith communities. For insurance, we have helped coordinate a number of interfaith statements to the NPT, TPNW negotiations, and other disarmament fora to unite the voices of the communities of faith across various faith traditions. As an SGI representative, I am also actively involved in the United Religions Initiative’s Voices for a World Free of Nuclear Weapons cooperation circle. Some of us from the Voices group plan to attend the Parliament of the World’s Religions this summer to raise awareness among the faith leaders of the issue of nuclear weapons.

     

    What are you most passionate about in your work?

    I think it is important to broaden the network of people concerned about and taking action on nuclear weapons, to help everyone understand that it affects all of us. For that reason, I believe in the importance of disarmament education, and I feel inspired by the grassroots educational efforts of Soka Gakkai organizations in various countries. They inform the public of the threats of nuclear weapons and what each person can do to address the issue through activities like exhibitions, seminars and lectures.

    In connection to this, SGI has worked to bring an intersectional approach to our disarmament work in the last several years. It’s important that the perspectives and expertises of people from diverse backgrounds are highlighted when we speak about nuclear weapons abolition. In fact, such diverse participation and engagement would lead to better outcomes.

     

    Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?

    I have been a student of nonviolence for close to 10 years, and currently serve on the board of the Metta Center for Nonviolence. I feel that nuclear weapons are the embodiment of ultimate violence, and at the same time, studying nonviolence has helped me strengthen my conviction that an international system that does not depend on the use or threat of mass violence is possible. I truly feel, as humanity, we are much better than that.

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