Africa is the most unprepared for a nuclear war. Africa is dependent on aide-mostly from states that would be involved in a nuclear war. Nuclear winter would destroy crops and raise the price of food. The rate of cancers would dramatically increase. Africa would never recover. To address this scourge, medical students from Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia, and Nigeria are coming to NYC for an anti-nuke conference and youth forum in April. Once they return, they will develop advocacy plans.
Nuclear weapons are by far some of the most powerful forces that have ever been created by humanity. They are not only capable of wiping out the whole human race, but also all living things. In the case of a nuclear war, none of us are safe. Imagine, the number of lives that will be lost from the impact and the effects of widespread radiation. We can only resolve this problem by raising awareness and banning nuclear weapons.
By bringing young African medical students to the UN, they will learn about international efforts toward banning nukes, and how to lobby African states to support the Ban Treaty. They will further be able to build inroads with peace networks and develop concrete actions plans to help their states support a ban on nuclear weapons.
Through educating and providing opportunities to interact with diplomats, they will develop long-term sustainable programs to raise awareness amongst the general public and political leaders about the detrimental consequences of nuclear weapons to our health and environment, as well as the relationship between nukes and sustainable development.
