I've been browsing around on YouTube and found some great comedy videos on nuclear disarmament. You might think that it's a bit weird to mix comedy and nuclear weapons, but it is really effective.
Check out these songs by Weird Al Yankovic and Tom Lerher.
I hope you enjoy them - if you find anything else with a nuclear theme it would be great if you could send us a link!
I'm beginning to think that comedy is one of the best methods of raising awareness for a campaign. It makes complex issues really accessible and entertaining. Anyone who doesn't believe me should check out some of Tina Fey's sketches on last year's US election!
We've just about got a campaign plan document together. It's taken ages, but hopefully it will help lots more people get interested in disarmament and non-proliferation.
Tuesday, 28 July 2009
Monday, 20 July 2009
House of Lords Non-proliferation event
Yesterday I went along to a nuclear non-proliferation event at the House of Lords. The Houses of Parliament are so impressive - once you've told policemen why you're there, gone through security, and been given an identity card to put round your neck - it's possible to wander through most areas, browsing at the huge paintings, statues and halls dating back hundreds of years.
You can stand in the central lobby of parliament, watching MPs, Lords and various staff walk from place to place. I even managed to see Gordon Brown (though he was in the back of a car while I waited to cross the road).
Yes, Parliament is an impressive place. I'm pleased it's open enough to be used for public meetings. The Nuclear Disarmament conference was open to the public and there were a good number of people there - quite a few young people too : )
A number of speakers talked about different aspects of non-proliferation. Lord Hannay (former UK ambassador to the UN) clearly laid out the prospects for success at the non-proliferation treaty review conference - due to be held next year. Other speakers including the Russian ambassador and a BBC journalist, were similarly optimistic about the coming years. Everyone agreed that Obama's change of policy was a massive step forward and that the Bush administration had been holding non-proliferation agreements back (In 2005 the nuclear review conference couldn't even agree an agenda!).
In the question and answer session I built up enough courage to ask the panel whether they think the issue of nuclear non-proliferation is being well presented to young people and the general public. And also, ideas for improving public awareness.
All of the panel agreed that the issue wasn't being presented well enough. Lord Hannay said that it's really important to use simple language - the debate is too full of jargon, when it's actually a pretty simple issue. The BBC journalist said that the reason we don't see a quality debate in the media is that no-one is making the case for keeping nuclear weapons.
Later, the panelists spoke about how ordinary people had an important role in bringing nuclear disarmament. They all said writing letters to your MP really helps. It would be great to organise a big letter writing campaign - like Amnesty International. I've been working on a sheet with tips on how to write a good letter to your MP - I'll put it up here when it's done.
I enjoyed the conference and was encouraged by what the speakers had to say. They were all very pleased by young people being involved and very keen that more people find out about the issue. Let's hope the STOP THE SPREAD campaign can help.
You can stand in the central lobby of parliament, watching MPs, Lords and various staff walk from place to place. I even managed to see Gordon Brown (though he was in the back of a car while I waited to cross the road).
Yes, Parliament is an impressive place. I'm pleased it's open enough to be used for public meetings. The Nuclear Disarmament conference was open to the public and there were a good number of people there - quite a few young people too : )
A number of speakers talked about different aspects of non-proliferation. Lord Hannay (former UK ambassador to the UN) clearly laid out the prospects for success at the non-proliferation treaty review conference - due to be held next year. Other speakers including the Russian ambassador and a BBC journalist, were similarly optimistic about the coming years. Everyone agreed that Obama's change of policy was a massive step forward and that the Bush administration had been holding non-proliferation agreements back (In 2005 the nuclear review conference couldn't even agree an agenda!).
In the question and answer session I built up enough courage to ask the panel whether they think the issue of nuclear non-proliferation is being well presented to young people and the general public. And also, ideas for improving public awareness.
All of the panel agreed that the issue wasn't being presented well enough. Lord Hannay said that it's really important to use simple language - the debate is too full of jargon, when it's actually a pretty simple issue. The BBC journalist said that the reason we don't see a quality debate in the media is that no-one is making the case for keeping nuclear weapons.
Later, the panelists spoke about how ordinary people had an important role in bringing nuclear disarmament. They all said writing letters to your MP really helps. It would be great to organise a big letter writing campaign - like Amnesty International. I've been working on a sheet with tips on how to write a good letter to your MP - I'll put it up here when it's done.
I enjoyed the conference and was encouraged by what the speakers had to say. They were all very pleased by young people being involved and very keen that more people find out about the issue. Let's hope the STOP THE SPREAD campaign can help.
Thursday, 16 July 2009
Your Man in South Korea
Nick, the President of UNYSA, is off to South Korea in August. He's flying out to take part in a meeting of UN youth organisations from around the world and discuss nuclear disarmament.
This is an amazingly exciting opportunity. Wouldn't it be great if we can make some contacts with other youth groups and be part of a world-wide campaign. The location of the conference is pretty cool too. I've never been to South Korea, but it looks like a really interesting place. Nuclear Weapons are massive issue there because of the proximity to and history with North Korea.
As Nick will be representing young people in the UK we want to hear what YOU think about Nuclear weapons. Do we need them? Do you think the world can disarm? What are your hopes for the future?
We've made a YouTube video (featuring Nick) to encourage people to get in touch. It's pretty cool - Morris, another member of the Youth Council, studies film as part of his degree. How lucky we are to have so many talented people working for a world free of nuclear weapons.
This is an amazingly exciting opportunity. Wouldn't it be great if we can make some contacts with other youth groups and be part of a world-wide campaign. The location of the conference is pretty cool too. I've never been to South Korea, but it looks like a really interesting place. Nuclear Weapons are massive issue there because of the proximity to and history with North Korea.
As Nick will be representing young people in the UK we want to hear what YOU think about Nuclear weapons. Do we need them? Do you think the world can disarm? What are your hopes for the future?
We've made a YouTube video (featuring Nick) to encourage people to get in touch. It's pretty cool - Morris, another member of the Youth Council, studies film as part of his degree. How lucky we are to have so many talented people working for a world free of nuclear weapons.
Tuesday, 14 July 2009
Public want to disarm
Things are moving quickly. I've just seen a story in the Guardian saying that 54% of people in the UK want us to get rid of all of our Nuclear Weapons.
This is a massive change from three years ago, when most people wanted to upgrade our weapons. This is great news - but what's changed?
Maybe it's Obama's efforts to work towards a world free of nuclear weapons. Maybe it's the economic crisis and the fact that replacing Trident would cost over £20 billion up front and lots more later. Or maybe it's a desire for peace after so many wars.
Whatever the reason, it's clear the people of the UK want a world free of nuclear weapons.
This is a massive change from three years ago, when most people wanted to upgrade our weapons. This is great news - but what's changed?
Maybe it's Obama's efforts to work towards a world free of nuclear weapons. Maybe it's the economic crisis and the fact that replacing Trident would cost over £20 billion up front and lots more later. Or maybe it's a desire for peace after so many wars.
Whatever the reason, it's clear the people of the UK want a world free of nuclear weapons.
Monday, 13 July 2009
Youthful ideas
I've just been reading the New York Times section in the Observer. It had pretty much the best leading article I could have hoped for...'A Nuclear-Free Vision' and a large image of two people sawing down a mushroom cloud.
The article went on to say how Obama's vision of a world free of nuclear weapons is influenced by his time at University and how he was a young campaigner. The young Obama didn't go along with the prevailing view that the world could keep on building more and more weapons - he was calling for disarmament. For me, it's great to see how what some people would have called Obama's 'youthful idealism' is now a major influence to a massive worldwide campaign. It's great to have hope.
This weekend I was talking to another talented young person. Eldee creates really good animations - this one is great! - and he's only 13. He's now working on a STOP THE SPREAD animation for the campaign. I can't wait to see it!
The article went on to say how Obama's vision of a world free of nuclear weapons is influenced by his time at University and how he was a young campaigner. The young Obama didn't go along with the prevailing view that the world could keep on building more and more weapons - he was calling for disarmament. For me, it's great to see how what some people would have called Obama's 'youthful idealism' is now a major influence to a massive worldwide campaign. It's great to have hope.
This weekend I was talking to another talented young person. Eldee creates really good animations - this one is great! - and he's only 13. He's now working on a STOP THE SPREAD animation for the campaign. I can't wait to see it!
Thursday, 9 July 2009
Wearing the message
Yesterday Malia Obama set a great example to young people around the world when she wore an anti-nuclear weapons T-shirt to accompany her rather famous dad to the G8 summit in Italy.
Malia is only 11 and she's actively supporting nuclear non-proliferation. I hope other young people follow her lead!
President Obama has encouraged both of his daughters to stand up for what they believe in - last year he wrote them an open letter which said, "It is only when you hitch your wagon to something larger than yourself that you will realise your true potential."
It must be extremely difficult for Barack Obama, being the President and a dad - trying to protect his daughters, helping them to have a relatively normal life while also allowing them to express themselves and make their own choices.
Continuing on the T-shirt theme, my sister has finished painting a 'STOP THE SPREAD' T-Shirt for me. She's extremely talented! Have a look here. If you fancy making one we'd love to see the results!
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
US and Russia agree to cut down on nukes
President Obama has been pretty impressive so far. I know lots of people say that anyone who followed George W would look good, but Obama isn't just doing well he's doing great!
Obama's latest success came yesterday when he and President Medvedev of Russia agreed to work on a new non-proliferation treaty and cut down their stockpiles by about a third.
Our STOP THE SPREAD campaign is also going pretty well (ok not as impressive as Obama's work, but we're getting there!). At one point in Obama's speech to mark the occasion he said 'we need to Stop the spread'. I wonder if we will be able to use that clip in one of our videos? : )
Today I also found out that we've been given the go ahead to run a reception before a House of Lords debate on the future of nuclear weapons. This is pretty exciting stuff - I hope you can join us!
Obama's latest success came yesterday when he and President Medvedev of Russia agreed to work on a new non-proliferation treaty and cut down their stockpiles by about a third.
Our STOP THE SPREAD campaign is also going pretty well (ok not as impressive as Obama's work, but we're getting there!). At one point in Obama's speech to mark the occasion he said 'we need to Stop the spread'. I wonder if we will be able to use that clip in one of our videos? : )
Today I also found out that we've been given the go ahead to run a reception before a House of Lords debate on the future of nuclear weapons. This is pretty exciting stuff - I hope you can join us!
Sunday, 5 July 2009
How many nukes are aimed at you?
This is a pretty scary tool. The Guardian have provided the wonderfully named nuke-o-meter. All you do is enter the name of your town and country and it will tell you exactly how many nuclear weapons are in range of your house.
Someone living in London lives under the shadow of 7728 missiles.
I've just heard that the USA and Russia have agreed a text on how to cut down on nuclear weapons. Lets hope Obama's meeting with Medvedev goes well. It could make us all a bit safer.
Someone living in London lives under the shadow of 7728 missiles.
I've just heard that the USA and Russia have agreed a text on how to cut down on nuclear weapons. Lets hope Obama's meeting with Medvedev goes well. It could make us all a bit safer.
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
Moral Mazes
It's great that the debate about nuclear weapons has been getting quite a bit of press recently.
Today, I listened to BBC radio 4's debate on the moral argument for nuclear weapons. It was an interesting program - you can listen to it here for the next week. A number of guests, both for and against nuclear weapons, spoke passionately about the morality of developing and firing nuclear arms and replacing trident.
While listening I was also drawing up campaign logos (featuring toast with different buttery words) to be used in our first campaign video. All very exciting!
We wanted to make a video to encourage young people all around the country to get in touch with our president, Nick, before his upcoming visit to a Nuclear non-proliferation conference in South Korea. He will be YOUR representative, so why not get in touch with your views on nuclear non-proliferation.
Today, I listened to BBC radio 4's debate on the moral argument for nuclear weapons. It was an interesting program - you can listen to it here for the next week. A number of guests, both for and against nuclear weapons, spoke passionately about the morality of developing and firing nuclear arms and replacing trident.
While listening I was also drawing up campaign logos (featuring toast with different buttery words) to be used in our first campaign video. All very exciting!
We wanted to make a video to encourage young people all around the country to get in touch with our president, Nick, before his upcoming visit to a Nuclear non-proliferation conference in South Korea. He will be YOUR representative, so why not get in touch with your views on nuclear non-proliferation.
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