Conference Agenda
Participant List
Conference Poster

February 21 and 22, 2008
At the Yale Center for the Study of Globalization we are convinced that the biggest risk to global integration, and indeed to humanity, is the risk posed by nuclear weapons. All the other risks to international prosperity and security are limited and manageable, whereas the consequences from one single episode of a bellicose detonation of a nuclear weapon anywhere in the world would drive humanity at large into a dark age - if we survive at all. The Center will host a conference to explore ideas about how to move toward a world free of nuclear weapons.

Our conference will cover the scenarios for and consequences of a nuclear attack; historical perspectives on nuclear weapons abolition; whether there is a case to be made for abolition in the 21st century and, if so, what are the conditions that have to be met for humanity at large, as well as for the present and potential nuclear power countries. Participants will discuss key strategic issues such as the interplay between disarmament and proliferation; the definition of zero; how to stabilize a zero-nuclear-weapon world under multi-national or UNSC control; maintaining stability in a world free of nuclear weapons; and what kind of system would give countries assurances that no state of non-state actors could ever build a nuclear weapon. For each of the nuclear power states the question will be asked, what would be the specific circumstances that conceivably have to be met and would be in the national interest of each power for it ever to consider committing seriously to full nuclear disarmament.