2017 Nobel Peace prize : ICAN
Nobel prize is always famous. At this time of every year, the news of winning the award are abuzz. This year was no exception. This year, the Norwegian Nobel Committee decided to award the Nobel Peace Prize for 2017 to ICAN. ICAN is the abbreviation for International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. Nobel Committee said “They are receiving the award for its work to draw attention to the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons and for its ground-breaking efforts to achieve a treaty-based prohibition of such weapons.” But still many people wondered ‘Why ICAN?’. I can understand them. Because me too.
“The said interest shall be divided into five equal parts, which shall be apportioned as follows: /- – -/ one part to the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.” – the will of Alfred Nobel
Why can ICAN win?
ICAN is a coalition of non-governmental organizations in one hundred countries promoting adherence to and implementation of the United Nations nuclear weapon ban treaty. It has 468 partner organizations in 101 countries(by ICAN homepage) The amazing thing is that ICAN was launched on April 2007! Now do you understand? There are a lot of peace groups to contribute really hard toward the world. Just last year, there are a lot of a prominent candidates. It is a last year posting of Nobel peace prize. Here : 2016 Nobel peace prize : Colombia peace agreement “It is passed. Now remaining task is ‘implementation’ Finally we could know ‘The Norwegian Nobel Committee want to tell something‘. The message is about nuclear weapons. The North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un maybe contributed much to Nobel Peace Prize.
What is ground-breaking efforts?
When voted of 122-1, one third of 193 U.N. member countries boycotted the vote. ‘Authorized’ nuclear nations, U.S, Russia, China, UK, France boycotted. Also ‘Unauthorized’ nuclear nations, India, Pakistan, Israel, North Korea boycotted. The number of actual signature is 53 countries. So actually we can’t expect the whole effect. But the only way to eliminate World War III is to eliminate all nuclear weapons. I am reminded of Gandhi’s quotes. “There is no path to peace. Peace is the path.”
Reaction of The United States and Russia
The U.S. reacted
coldly. The U.S. State Department said “
Unfortunately, we are seeing a deterioration in the overall security environment and growing nuclear capabilities of certain states. This treaty will
not make the world more peaceful, will
not result in the elimination of a single nuclear weapon, and will
not enhance any state’s security.” The
U.S.,
Britain and
France said the prohibition wouldn’t work and would end up disarming their nations.
“This treaty will not make the world peaceful“
The head of the Russia Federation Council Committee on international Affairs Konstantin Kosachev said, “This is now the real front of struggle for peace, not the romance of a nuclear-free future we all, probably, too would like to.” Also it is“not only misleading but also very dangerous opinion, which stimulates the proliferation of weapons and undermines the process of international disarmament.”
“Nuclear weapons are illegal. Threatening to use nuclear weapons is illegal. Having nuclear weapons, possessing nuclear weapons, developing nuclear weapons, is illegal, and they need to stop.”
– ICAN’s Message to Trump and Kim Jong Un
HWPL’s DPCW vs TPNW
First, TPNW vs NPT
TPNW contributed to the continued role of the NPT, emphasizing its “vital role in promoting international peace and security”.
- There is the distinction between states entitled to possess such weapons and non-nuclear weapon states in NPT. But in TPNW it is not.
- The TPNW also forbids states party to the treaty from allowing “any stationing, installation or deployment” of nuclear weapons on their territory, a prohibition that is not explicitly included in the NPT
- States party to the TPNW are prohibited from conducting nuclear tests, while the Comprehensive Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) has not yet entered into force
Beyond Nuclear Disarmament
Do you know HWPL‘s DPCW(the Declaration of Peace and Cessation of War)? The purpose of DPCW is to end the war. If so, the nuclear disarmament is a natural consequence. Actually DPCW has an article of elimination of nuclear weapons. I know many people think it is a naive desire. But the success of ICAN already show you ‘the world is changing‘. Simply we just walked the path to peace.
- DPCW Article 1 – Prohibition of the threat or use of force
- 3. States should prohibit any act or threat of violence, whatever its motives or purposes, that occurs for the advancement of an individual or collective criminal agenda.
- DPCW Article 2 – War potential
- 2. States should not produce, assist in, encourage, or induce; the production of weapons of mass destruction, inter alia, chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons, or weapons capable of causing indiscriminate or widespread and unnecessary suffering, or weapons incompatible with international humanitarian law.
- 3. States should take measures to ensure that existing weapons of mass destruction, weapons capable of causing widespread and unnecessary suffering and weapons incompatible with international humanitarian law are gradually dismantled or destroyed. States should cooperate in disarmament and the reduction of arms stockpiles, ideally under international supervision. Decommissioned weapons manufacturing facilities should be repurposed, so that they may serve purposes that are beneficial to humanity in general.
“To live according to a Heavenly culture is to live according to the principles and values of heaven, a place that gives light, rain and air without boundaries.” – the chairman of HWPL
Peace is up to you :0 Good luck!
Education is a powerful and effective source of human development, as specified in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Have you ever experienced the power of education? Have you ever seen their changes? Or have you ever experienced your changes? Education is closely related to change. What should the Education do? In order to protect and further enhance the priceless legacy of peace from great wars and consequent sacrifices, education must guide students to understand values such as human dignity, equal opportunity, democracy, etc.
Peace Academy
117 schools from 8 different countries (as of July 2016) voluntarily became HWPL Peace Academies. The designated Peace Academies announce the Statement of Resolution and their future plans to incorporate peace education into their curriculum. It will teach about HWPL’s peace initiatives. HWPL’s comprehensive approach to education allows teachers and students to embrace the values of human rights, intercultural and interreligious understanding, and tolerance. It is really needed for global leaders who want to reconcile. Whether you get the peace education or not makes fundamental difference. It depends on you.
