MIT Student Pugwash Intro Meeting

October 4th, 2006

web.mit.edu/pugwash

What is Pugwash?

“We have to learn to think in a new way.”

Russell-Einstein Manifesto, July 9th, 1955

And… What’s With The Name?

Photo by taminsea1, Flickr: http://flickr.com/photos/cheftami/170323913/

What is Pugwash?

• 1955: Russell and Einstein admonished scientists to “learn to think in a new way” about the nuclear age

• Call for conference of scientists to assess the dangers of nuclear weapons

• First Pugwash Conference on Science and World Affairs (founded by Rotblat and Russell) held in Pugwash, Nova Scotia in 1957

What is Student Pugwash?

• 1979: Student Pugwash USA founded “with the fundamental belief that young people play a vital role in determining the socially responsible application of science and technology “

• US student affiliate of the Pugwash Conferences

Student Pugwash Focuses

• Peace and security

• Energy and environment

• Health

• Emerging technology

• Science and society

MIT Chapter: Who We Are

• President: Chris Sequeira

• Interim Treasurer: Lily Tong

• Events Committee Leader: ?

• Publicity/Relations Committee Leader: ?

• Archives/Records Committee Leader: ?

MIT Chapter: What We Do

• Hold lectures on topics concerning the intersection of sci-tech, social responsibility, and society

• Hold informal lunch discussions with various speakers

• Run a website with a list of relevant events in the Boston area

• Network with other MIT student groups and Boston-area Pugwash chapters

Student Pugwash USA National Conference, 2003

MIT Chapter: Our Niche

To probe the question: “will the sciences and technologies we are developing have the impact we want them to have?”

Upcoming Events

• Lunch discussions: Rev. Amy McCreath, Dr. David Wright, Dr. David Mindell

• Sustainability/development mixer

• Workshop on dual-use research

• Hopefully: science in the media, socially responsible technology business

Get Involved

• Join the exec board

• Become a committee member

• Come to the planning meetings, starting October 11

• Participate on the pugwash-discuss mailing list

• We’re open to suggestions!

Questions?

“We appeal as human beings to human beings: Remember your humanity, and forget the rest.”

Russell-Einstein Manifesto, July 9th, 1955