14th International Week Of Science and Peace
(IWOSP 1999)

What is IWOSP?

IWOSP is a worldwide action week devoted to the topic "Science and Peace" which, since 1986, takes place annually during the week (Monday to Sunday) within which November 11th falls (Armistice Day).

Think global, act local! IWOSP puts this motto into action. The key idea is to increase the public impact of small local events by concentrating many of them in a short time interval and publicizing them as part of a worldwide event. Initially organized on a private basis, IWOSP was given an official status by United Nations General AssemblyResolution 43/61 'Science and Peace' on December 6th 1988.

A brief history of IWOSP is described by Alan Cottey as a separate article.

What you can do?

You can take part in IWOSP by organizing or supporting a local event with participation of scientists related to the topic "Science and Peace", for example a lecture, seminar, debate, slide show, etc. The following are just a few of the many important and topical subjects which IWOSP can address:

• Criticising short-term thinking and developing long-term thinking as we approach the new millennium.
• Climate change: What is the latest assessment? The pros and cons of nuclear power. Explaining why air transport is problematic.
• The case for a Nuclear Weapons Convention as the next step beyond the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.
• NATO, a problematic alliance. Ideas for alternative futures.
• The Multilateral Agreement on Investment ... it may be dead, but vigilance is needed against its offspring.
• War crimes - can modern surveillance technology help to bring war criminals to justice and deter further war crimes?
• The NATO-Serbia war - can science and scholarship provide insights useful for the long-term future?
• Genetically modified food: can the science and technology be used in ways which take adequate account of the public (and not just the corporate) interest?
• Peace Education: preventive peace building, conflict transformation. Examples of what is being done in various parts of the world.
• What lessons do we draw from the 1899 and 1999 Hague Peace Conferences?

The event could be at a university, school, public library ... It could be addressed to colleagues, students, school students, local politicians, journalists ... And you could inform local media about your activity and send them a copy of the U.N. resolution.

Please do not forget also to inform the IWOSP National Coordinator in your country or the
Chairwoman Dr. Hildegard Faessler
, Kaiser-Franz-Josef Str. 12, A-6020 Innsbruck
Tel.+Fax: ++43-(0).512.565873
E-mail: hildegard.faessler@uibk.ac.at