IPPNW’s mission is a long term effort that must be carried forward by succeeding generations. Young people are therefore crucial to sustaining our movement.

Medical students have played a key role in IPPNW since its founding in 1980 and their participation in the programs, decision-making, and governance of the organization has steadily increased through the years. In the late 1990s, the Board of Directors and International Council made strategic decisions aimed at substantially elevating student work and attracting and retaining active students. The NWIP is an important outgrowth of this growing organizational emphasis. The NWIP is contributing to IPPNW and the larger cause of peace, health and disarmament by:

-Creating forums that bring together students with different geopolitical, economic, cultural and religious backgrounds to understand and learn from one another’s perspectives.

-Introducing many new students in a number of countries, including in nuclear hotspots, to IPPNW and its methods and work.

-Stimulating young people to take an active interest in the nuclear threat and working to educate students not only about IPPNW’s core mission of the abolition of nuclear weapons, but also about the medical and moral imperative of simultaneously addressing war and violent conflict, militarism, and health and human security.

-Promoting partnerships and collaboration between students and senior physicians at the local, national and international levels.

-Bringing fresh generational energy, viewpoints, ideas and tactics into our movement.

I applaud the decision of the NWIP organizers to undertake an evaluation of their program thus far. The NWIP holds much promise as instrument for change. As the project moves to its next stage of planning, I would encourage the NWIP to consider ways to promote more South-South dialogue and training.