What is Pugwash?
July 22nd, 2005How, when and why was Pugwash created?
On July 9, 1955 Bertrand Russell and Albert Einstein issued the
Russell-Einstein Manifesto, co-authored by the two, which detailed the
problems involved with the use and control of the then newly developed
thermonuclear weapons, better known as hydrogen bombs:
The best authorities are unanimous in saying that a war
with H-bombs might possibly put an end to the human race. It is feared
that if many H-bombs are used there will be universal death, sudden
only for a minority, but for the majority a slow torture of disease and
disintegration. - Russell-Einstein Manifesto
The manifesto was signed by eleven of the most prominent scientists
of the time, including Russell and Einstein, and inspired a 1957
conference, held in Pugwash, Nova Scotia. The conference, attended by
22 scientists from the United States, the Soviet Union, Japan, the
United Kingdom, Australia, Austria, China, France and Poland, inspired
a series of conferences that continue to this day, and which have been
titled the Pugwash Conferences after the city in which the 1957
conference was held. From these conferences grew a decentralized
organization, loosely known as “Pugwash.” To date there have been more
than 250 Pugwash Conferences with a total attendance of over ten
thousand, and many thousands of local events organized by independent
Pugwash chapters. In 1995 Pugwash and Joseph Rotblat were jointly
awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for their work towards the ultimate goal
of the total abandonment of nuclear weapons. Joseph Rotblat was the
final living signee of the original Russell-Einstein Manifesto.
Today the Pugwash Conferences are held annually with an average
attendance of 200. Individuals participate only in a private capacity -
they do not come as agents or representatives of any government,
political party, organization, etc. Pugwash's stated goal is the
creation of a world absolutely free of nuclear weapons. The Pugwash
name, however, has come to stand for the basic idea that scientists,
physicians, policy makers, journalists - anyone whose work influences
others - are responsible for the consequences that their work makes
possible. This is no more apparent than in the existence of the
hydrogen bomb, created by scientists and mathematicians and capable of
killing millions instantly and billions slowly, but the doctrine of
responsibility holds true in every area of scientific and social
endeavor. Thus many different ideas, from the use of anthrax on
civilian populations to the growing of genetically modified foods to
help feed the third world, have been discussed under the Pugwash banner.
How, when and why was Student Pugwash created?
Student Pugwash was founded in 1979 after Jeffery Leifer, then a
student, attended a Pugwash Conference and decided that students should
be exposed to the ideals of the conferences. His goal was to make
students aware that, as future scientists, policy makers, etc., they
too were responsible for the consequences that their work will someday
make possible.
Visit the Student Pugwash USA website
Where does Student Pugwash fall on the political spectrum?
The mission of Student Pugwash USA (SPUSA) is to promote the
socially responsible application of science and technology, and to
promote social progress in the 21st century. As a student organization,
SPUSA encourages young people to examine the ethical, social, and
global implications of science and technology, and to make these
concerns a guiding focus of their academic and professional endeavors.
SPUSA does not take a direct stand on political issues, but instead
seeks to foster discussion which results in action on the part of
individuals.