Nuclear Proliferation: A Mother’s Legacy

Huffington Post
by GSI Board Member Christie Brinkley

Change is a constant. Sometimes the world changes imperceptibly, slowly, and sometimes it can come in a flash. The world is now poised for changes for the better. But let us never forget that the danger that sits over our head arrived in a flash. At precisely 5:30 AM on the 16th of July 1945 in a place in the desert of New Mexico, named Journey of the Dead Man or Jornada del Muerto, that flash of the Trinity Test, caused Dr. Robert Oppenheimer to recite the famous verse from the Bhagavad-Gita, “I am death, the shatterer of worlds.” The world changed on that day. The extent of that change was demonstrated shortly thereafter in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It should not surprise us then that the first resolution of the General Assembly on January 24, 1946, called for creating a Commission designed to help obtain the elimination from national armaments of atomic weapons and of all other major weapons adaptable to mass destruction.

Nuclear Proliferation: A Mother’s Legacy

Written by Christie Brinkley in The Huffington Post

The Cold War Distorted The World’s Capacity To Work Together
Change is a constant. Sometimes the world changes imperceptibly, slowly, and sometimes it can come in a flash. The world is now poised for changes for the better. But let us never forget that the danger that sits over our head arrived in a flash. At precisely 5:30 AM on the 16th of July 1945 in a place in the desert of New Mexico, named Journey of the Dead Man or Jornada del Muerto, that flash of the Trinity Test, caused Dr. Robert Oppenheimer to recite the famous verse from the Bhagavad-Gita, “I am death, the shatterer of worlds.” The world changed on that day. The extent of that change was demonstrated shortly thereafter in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. It should not surprise us then that the first resolution of the General Assembly on January 24, 1946, called for creating a Commission designed to help obtain the elimination from national armaments of atomic weapons and of all other major weapons adaptable to mass destruction.

The Cold War distorted the world’s capacity to work together to accomplish this goal. I am not an expert in politics, treaties, or international law, but I like to think I am an expert in being a caring mother. There are several billion other such experts throughout the world, and I believe I speak in unison with their hearts as well, when I say, The Cold War is over. Let’s not pass on the legacy of these horrific devices to our children. It is time we really changed and began working together on real common purposes. If for no other reason, let’s do it for our kids! Cooperation with one another is no longer an option; Cooperation amongst nations is no longer an option. Cooperation with nature is no longer an option. These are all necessities…Read more at The Huffington Post.

Progressive Initiatives

Christie Brinkley, former Australian Foreign Minister Gareth Evans, MPI Chairman Henrik Salander and Hideo Hiraoka, MP, Japan, spoke at a special event during the 2009 NPT Preparatory Committee conference, chaired by GSI Senior Officer Rhianna Tyson.

MEDIA ADVISORY: Christie Brinkley, model and philanthropist, will be a featured speaker at the United Nations on Wednesday, May 6, at 1:15pm.

NEW YORK – With Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and US President Barack Obama taking on renewed leadership roles in promoting nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, hopes that progress can be made on this vital issue are on the rise.

A panel of distinguished international figures – including Christie Brinkley, model and philanthropist, and the Honorable Gareth Evans, the Co-chair of the International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament – will explore some of the dynamic initiatives opening up before the world at a panel entitled “Progress Initiatives” on Wednesday, May 6, at 1:15pm.

In her speech, Ms. Brinkley will say:

Change is a constant. Sometimes the world changes imperceptibly and slowly and sometimes it can come a flash. The world is now poised for changes for the better. The moment of opportunity is now. But let us never forget that the danger that sits over our head arrived in a flash.

“Progressive Initiatives” will be held on May 6, 1:15 – 2:45 in Conference Room One, United Nations. The other panellists are:

• The Honorable Gareth Evans, former Foreign Minister of Australia and Co-chair of the International Commission on Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Disarmament,
• Amb. Henrik Salander, The Chairman of the Middle Powers Initiative,
• Mr. Hideo Hiraoka, MP, a member of the Japanese Diet (parliament).