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
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Peace and security
Energy and environment
Health
Emerging technology
Science and society
MIT Chapter: Who We Are
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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