DID YOU KNOW THAT… Most of the nuclear weapons in today’s arsenal would explode with a force roughly 8 to 100 times stronger than the bombs dropped at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
focal point for landmine–related issues and coordinates all mine-related activities within the UN. UNMAS focuses on mine clearance, mine awareness, risk reduction education, victim assistance, advocacy, and stockpile destruction.
NGOs AND RESEARCH ORGANIZATIONS A non-governmental organization (NGO) is an organization independent from any government or the business sector that works at the local, national or international level to seek social change directly by funding projects or indirectly by influencing the political system. The term NGO first emerged with the founding of the United Nations and was used to distinguish national and international groups working on issues related to the UN. In terms of disarmament and non-proliferation, NGOs help influence government policy and create innovative solutions for the many problems that face us in our world. The work of NGOs often consists of: writing and research, education and outreach, media campaigns to raise awareness, and social action to create change. Listed here is a brief annotated list of NGOs working on disarmament. Although the UN does not endorse any of these groups, their websites can be good resources where students can learn more about disarmament issues. You will no doubt realize that each website usually leads to other related projects.
AC T ION FOR DIS A RM A MENT: 10 T H INGS YOU C A N DO
NGOs AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WORKING ON SMALL ARMS Amnesty International (www.amnesty.org): Based in London and founded in 1961, Amnesty International is one of the most influential NGOs in the world for their campaigns on human rights. They were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1977. Amnesty was a key NGO in bringing about the Arms Trade Treaty.
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