Invitation debate 4 March: A Crisis We Cannot Prepare For: The Humanitarian Consequences of Nuclear Weapons”

Nuclear weapons are often presented as promoting security, particularly during times of international instability. However, testimonies by nuclear experts and former nuclear force officers have shown that accidental nuclear-weapon detonations remain a very real danger and have catastrophic humanitarian consequences that do not stop at state borders.

Speakers from the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Clingendael Institute, The Netherlands Red Cross and PAX will address the urgency of nuclear disarmament, as well as the main challenges for states in order to take the lead towards a treaty that puts an international ban on nuclear weapons.

The debate is held in English and is open to the public. Registration is not necessary; seats are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

Location: Lorenz room, Kamerlingh Onnes Building, Steenschuur 25, 2311 ES Leiden

Speakers:

Mirjam de Bruin, Legal Advisor International Humanitarian Law, Netherlands Red Cross
Theo Peters, Head of the Non-proliferation, Disarmament, Arms Control and Export Control Policy Division, Security Policy Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Sico van der Meer, Research Fellow, Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael
Susi Snyder, Programme Leader Nuclear Disarmament, PAX

Moderator: Dr. Robert Heinsch, Associate Professor at the Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies, Leiden University

Programme
19:45 – 20:00 Doors open, coffee/ tea
20:00-20:05 Welcome by SIB Leiden
20:05-20:45 Presentations Security Policy Department, Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Clingendael Institute, Red Cross and PAX
20:45 – 21:35 Panel Discussion
21:35 – 21:55 Questions from the audience
21:55 -22:00 Closing of the debate by SIB Leiden
> 22:00 Opportunity for further discussion and drinks at De Uyl van Hoogland, Nieuwstraat 28, 2312 KC Leiden

[Foto: Peter van Aalst]