World Council of Churches - Geneva Info
Contact: + 41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org

For immediate release: 23 April 2008


The New Nuclear Threat Engaging Youth to End the Danger


Hidden from the front pages and headline news reports is the reality the world may be slipping into a second age of an increasing nuclear weapons threat. The risk of nuclear weapons being used is estimated to be higher today than during much of the Cold War. Instead of many nuclear weapons the hands of the few, there are now many nuclear weapons in more hands. International agreements that control nuclear arms have been greatly weakened by the policies of nuclear and non-nuclear powers alike.

Is a world under threat of nuclear weapons inevitable for future generations? How will this generation and those to come cope with this new proliferation of nuclear weapons? How can youth make a contribution to ending the danger of this new nuclear threat?

To address these and other concerns an inter-generational debate on the costs and dangers - economic, political, moral and religious - of keeping nuclear weapons will be held:

Wednesday, 30 April
06.30 pm

Ecumenical Centre
150 Route de Ferney
Geneva
(TPG bus 5, Créts de Morillon)

This debate is being held during the UN Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Preparatory Committee, a meeting that brings representatives from nearly 200 governments to Geneva.

Participants at the panel discussion are:
· Stephen Schwart, co-author, Atomic Audit; editor, Monterey Institute of International Studies
· Marie Dennis, co-president, Pax Christi International
· Rev. Munemichi Kurozumi, Shinto leader & Religions for Peace-Japan
· Abdul Minty, ambassador, South Africa (invited)

Refreshments will be available from 06:00 pm, panel and debate at 06:30 pm.

Media contact: Beatrice Merahi - bem@wcc-coe.org - 022-791-6116 or Jonathan Frerichs - 022-791-6554

Additional information: Juan Michel,+41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 349 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 560 million Christians in over 110 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, from the Methodist Church in Kenya. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland..