From: Student Pugwash USA <uspugwash@igc.apc.org>
Newsgroups: alt.org.pugwash
Date: 14 Dec 92 11:57 PST
Subject: *Pugwash Introduction
Nf-ID: #N:cdp:1758700042:000:3595
Nf-From: cdp.UUCP!uspugwash    Dec 14 11:57:00 1992


Greetings from the national office of Student Pugwash USA!
And welcome to the 'alt.org.pugwash' on-line conference!

The following Introduction, Manifesto, Declaration, and Council 
contact list should provide a thoughtful introduction to the 
Student Pugwash movement. Feel free to download or otherwise
disseminate this information as you wish. And of course, we 
encourage you to get in touch, respond, and 'think in a new 
way.'

INTRODUCTION TO THE PUGWASH MANIFESTO
AND THE DAGOMYS DECLARATION


On July 9, 1955, eleven eminent scientists and scholars, led 
by Albert Einstein and Bertrand Russell, called on scientists 
and the public to abandon the obsolete notion of international 
violence as a political tool.  The document they signed, now 
known as the Pugwash Manifesto, has not lost its relevance.  
Indeed, a broad interpretation of the Manifesto as a call  to 
scientists, engineers, and the public, to recognize the 
social and ethical implications of technological and scientific 
advances, has been taken up around the globe.  Senior scientists, 
meeting annually at Pugwash Conferences, and students, 
participating in international, national, and local activities 
under the auspices of Student Pugwash, have strengthened the force 
and increased the scope of the Manifesto.  

In 1988 the Pugwash Council on Science and World Affairs issued 
the Dagomys Declaration.  This Declaration broadens the scope of the 
Pugwash Council's mandate, by including issues of the environment 
and international development in its definition of global security.

International Pugwash and Student Pugwash both begin with assumptions 
made by Russell and Einstein:  science and technology play a 
significant role in world problems and their significance imposes 
special obligations upon people involved in scientific research and 
technological development.  Although military issues, particularly 
the threat of nuclear war, remain of paramount concern, other 
problems with important technical aspects have become part 
of the Pugwash and Student Pugwash agendas.  These problems 
require careful consideration which transcends narrow 
disciplinary, national, and generational viewpoints.

Although they share a common name, a set of concerns, and a broad 
approach, International Pugwash and Student Pugwash diverge in 
their objectives and method.  Both groups remain unaffiliated with 
any religious or political parties, yet International Pugwash, 
composed of eminent scientists and technologists, can and does 
influence policy through the coordinated actions of individual 
Conference participants in their own countries.

Student Pugwash has a solely educational objective:  raising 
the awareness and understanding of students.  Although Student 
Pugwash has received the formal endorsement of International 
Pugwash, it does not advocate any policy positions, including 
those taken by International Pugwash.  There is no formal 
institutional connection between the two.

Student Pugwash and International Pugwash continue to have an 
abiding interest  in addressing moral issues in the realms of 
science and technology.  Inspired by the Pugwash Manifesto, they 
seek to define moral obligations and assist in the fulfillment 
of those obligations.

We provide the following information about "Senior Pugwash" as 
background, to help you see the extent of the Pugwash movement.  
There are internship opportunities available for Student Pugwash 
USA chapter members in the European offices of Senior Pugwash.  
Contact the Student Pugwash USA National Office for details.