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September 2001 FROM THE EDITOR On 11 September the world as we know it changed a little bit. Much interesting debate has evolved inside ISYP and elsewhere and many very different views of the attack and the shape which the response to these attacks should prevail. Many of these appear irreconcilable, but within Pugwash, and around the world we should bear in mind our common humanity and seek the most peaceful and least harmful solutions to our differences. The Board is happy to have reached consensus on a statement, published below. The new ISYP Board has constituted itself with Hugo Estrella being elected as Chairperson and Magda Kropiwnicka as Treasurer. We have divided into working groups similar to those within the Interim Committee and look forward to reporting on our specific activities. The first group will be responsible for communications, including contact with national groups and the distribution of the newsletter; the second group is charged with funding and other financial matters; while the third group will deal with legal issues including the holding of elections, etc. We act on behalf of the National Groups and always welcome any suggestions and proposals coming from Student/Young Pugwash members everywhere. The Newsletter, which will henceforth be published only every second month, is also available online at www.student-pugwash.org for those of you who prefer to access it in HTML format and you are welcome to request it from me in Microsoft Word or Word Perfect format (ginavanschalkwyk@yahoo.com). Material for the newsletter should be sent to me at this address: ginavanschalkwyk@yahoo.com. Thank you. -Gina Van Schalkwyk
"A Call for World Peace and Justice" Almost half a century ago the Pugwash Movement was founded. Now a new generation of young people in International Student/Young Pugwash (ISYP) accepts the moral challenges of its elders. We are heirs of a Humanist tradition, moved by the desire and determination to achieve world peace. The time has now come to face our responsibilities on the eve of the new international conflict initiated by the terror actions in the USA. But this time there are no longer two confronting sides to be challenged. Warnings have been raised in the Russell-Einstein Manifesto, and at Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs about the dangers of pursuing a struggle where weapons of mass destruction eventually would be used. Changing a belligerent mindset and devoting scientific and technological resources to improvement of human life, instead of putting it at risk, was the clear message repeatedly sent by Pugwashites to scientists, world leaders and decision-makers. Global war was narrowly avoided more times than those publicly acknowledged. But still, disregard for human lives, rights and dignity are tolerated as the sad - though unchangeable - reality. Raw nationalism, religious fundamentalism and "low intensity" conflicts were weapons of the East and the West during the Cold War decades. Today's terrorist minds were forged according to those manoeuvres. Today's disregard for human life can be an effect of the daily violence against the forgotten margins of our civilisation. There exists no more a rationale of struggle for world domination. Our responsibility as individuals, concerned educated citizens is, therefore, paramount. There is a grave danger that violent retaliation will trigger a spiral of growing violence. But a safer world cannot be achieved without justice. It is the time to think and act in global terms. The United Nations has created adequate organs to ensure fair trials in criminal justice. Any crime against humanity has to be judged by those organs. International law is to be reinforced. Making institutions responsive in the defence of civilization entails the commitment to respect international rules of civilized coexistence. As a tribute to our forebears, as an allegiance to each other, we, the young Pugwashites, are the first to say that we want to live. In these times of anger, sorrow and death, we express our determination to make this world a more equal, safer and peaceful place for us to live, and the following generations to enjoy. Our knowledge, our feelings and our actions are committed to that goal. We call upon our fellow human beings to join us. Approved by the Board of International Student/Young Pugwash, 26 September 2001 Tom Borsen Hansen
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