On 8th and 9th December 2014 the third Conference on the Humanitarian Impact of Nuclear Weapons took place in Vienna. The aim of this conference, which was organised by the Austrian Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs, was to create momentum for concrete progress on nuclear disarmament. Nearly 160 states were represented, as well as numerous NGOs, academic institutions and civil society organizations.

It allowed panels of experts to consider and address the following: the impact of nuclear weapon explosions and testing; risk drivers for deliberate or inadvertent nuclear weapons use; scenarios, challenges and capabilities regarding nuclear weapons use/explosions and the norms under existing international law pertaining to the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons explosions. These presentations were followed by statements of state and civil society representatives and a general debate about how further to pursue the efforts for nuclear disarmament.

Due to the kind invitation from Dr. Ronald Sturm (Deputy Director of the Department for Disarmament, Arms Control and Non-Proliferation of the Austrian Ministry for Europe, Integration and Foreign affairs) to send a UWC RCN student to the conference as a representative of the College, Antonia Reininger (first year from Austria) had the opportunity to participate. She was also invited to join the International Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement Preparatory and Follow Up meetings as part of the Norwegian Red Cross delegation – as part of our College’s ongoing partnership with the Red Cross.

The conference offered a unique insight into international discussions about nuclear disarmament, facilitated interesting talks with NGO and state representatives and encouraged delegates to take action in the international efforts to pursue the total elimination of nuclear weapons.

The documentation and speeches from the conference are available here. They give an overview of the issues discussed and will perhaps encourage further study.

The Nobel Peace Prize 2014 was awarded jointly to Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi, “for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education”. Since the opening of the College in 1995, each year we have been invited to send a delegation of students to the Prize ceremony in Oslo City Hall.

In considering this year’s recipients, hardly ever has there been a winner more relevant to our own cause; to make education a uniting force. In the poor countries of the world 60% of the population is under 25 years of age. It is essential for peaceful global development that the rights of young people are respected. In conflict-ridden areas, the violation of children leads to the continuation of violence from generation to generation.  Or to use the words of journalist Nicholas Kristof of the NY Times, “The greatest threat to extremism isn’t drones firing missiles, but girls reading books.” Our best congratulations to Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi.

This year, Hamza (Pakistan), Gautham (India), Clara (Sweden), Leticia (Brazil), and Jasmine (Singapore) attended the ceremony with Alistair (South Africa), the Deputy Rektor. Hamza and Gautham were both invited to write reflections on their experience:

Gautham: ‘It gives me immense pleasure to share my incredible experience of attending the Nobel Peace Prize 2014. This event was remarkable because it was a joint prize between India and Pakistan. I appreciate the Nobel Peace Prize selection committee for choosing this year’s winners and making sure that their dedication and hard work become well known. Both recipients are very deeply committed to the work of  ‘upliftment’ of women through empowerment and education, respecting child rights, supporting the abolishment of child labour and promoting the right to education. This was a very unique and inspirational day, one of the most memorable days in my life. I learnt a lot and met many special people.  I would like to thank our College for providing me with this wonderful opportunity.’

Hamza: ‘The Nobel Peace Prize Event was magnificent. It was a thousand times better than my expectations (and my expectations were already really, really high!). It was an honour to represent my College and my country at such a big event and it was truly awesome seeing and listening to Malala and Kailash. I found their speeches really inspiring and they managed to bring tears to my eyes. The speeches, the environment, the performances, everything all together were truly amazing and I loved every single bit of it.’

Congratulations to Jakob Oftebro, a Norwegian actor, who won (and received yesterday) the 2015 Nordic Languages Prize – coordinated by Foreningen Norden (the Nordic Association). He has played parts in two outstanding Norwegian films – ‘Max Manus: Man of War’ (2008) and the the Oscar-nominated epic ‘Kon-Tiki’. (2012) – and other Nordic productions including the Swedish film ‘The Hidden Child’ (2013) and the Danish series, ‘1864’ (2014) and ‘The Bridge’. Oftebro received this year’s prize for his passionate commitment to Nordic languages and cultural integration. He is renowned as a versatile actor experimenting with and reproducing different Scandinavian dialects.

In an interview, Oftebro commented: ‘We are so similar, yet so different up here in the Nordic countries – and we have a lot to learn from each other’. He is ambassador for education and advocates that all teachers should take a one year exchange to a neighbouring Scandinavian country early in his / her career.

Foreningen Norden and its General Secretary (AC alumnus and RCN Deputy Board member) are greater supporters of the Scandinavian Languages Programme at RCN.

For further information on this year’s prize: click here.

The Nobel Peace Prize 2014 is awarded jointly to Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi, “for their struggle against the suppression of children and young people and for the right of all children to education”. Since our opening in 1995 we have been invited to send a delegation of students to the Prize ceremony in Oslo City Hall. Hardly ever has there been a winner more relevant to our own cause; to make education a uniting force. In the poor countries of the world 60% of the population is under 25 years of age. It is essential for a peaceful global development that that rights of young people are respected. Particularity in conflict ridden areas, the violation of children leads to the continuation of violence from generation to generation.  Or to use the words of journalist Nicholas Kristof of the NY Times: “The greatest threat to extremism isn’t drones firing missiles, but girls reading books.” Our best congratulations to Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi.
After the events, our participating students will share their reflections from the day on our home page.