Members of the Monterey Institute of International Studies spoke to Upper School students about the future of nuclear disarmament and the Upper School’s relationship with this institute.

At the beginning of the assembly, Diana Nichols, Mr. Nichols’ wife, introduced the speakers and announced that the Upper School will be collaborating with the James Martin Center for Non-Proliferation Studies (CNS), at the MIIS, on a research project. The CNS focuses on training the next generation of professionals to change the circumstances involving nuclear weapons.

The MIIS is a graduate school of Middlebury College that offers internships to undergraduate students and programs for high school students at the CNS. The CNS hosts guest speakers such as Ban Ki Moon, the current Secretary General of the UN, and focuses on the global circumstances regarding nuclear weapon proliferation and disarmament.

Masako Toki, the director of the CIF program and an MIIS alumni, talked to Upper School students about the CNS institution’s goals to educate the younger generation about nuclear non-proliferation activity. Toki also described the functions of the Critical Issues Forum, a program designed to allow high school students to learn about nuclear weapons and the problems regarding non-proliferation.

“Usually, high school students do not have the opportunity to study such topics so this unique program was designed to empower high school students to understand matters of mass destruction,” Toki said.

After Toki described the CIF program, Tom Greg, a researcher at the CNS, shared his journey as a student involved in non-proliferation efforts. After graduating from high school, Greg joined the submarine force in the United States Navy. His training caused him to become more aware of his responsibility as a leader of the submarine force in making decisions regarding the use of nuclear weapons.

“What were you like 10 years ago?” Greg asked the students as he described his emotional transition from being a part of the navy to researching about nuclear weapons.

Greg, like Toki, encouraged the Upper School students to consider careers in the field of international relations. Following Greg, Dr. Cohen explained his philosophical approach to nuclear disarmament by showing a video describing the origins of nuclear weapons.

Some students such as Eddie Shiang (10) responded positively to the assembly’s speakers and topic.

“I found the meeting today about nuclear disarmament really meaningful,” Eddie said. “To hear a man quit his job administering nuclear submarines after seeing the reality of the weapon’s destruction was the highlight for me.”

The speakers from the MIIS and CNS were available to answer any questions after the assembly and gave Upper School students their contact information as well.

To learn more about this program or nuclear non-proliferation efforts, visit http://sites.miis.edu/criticalissuesforum/.