The atmosphere was certainly pregnant with potent young minds last week, when a group of students from across the world - Afghanistan, Australia, Belgium, China, Colombia, Jamaica, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Russia, Singapore, Slovenia and the United States - met in Geneva, Switzerland to discuss the increasingly nagging issue of nuclear weapons and its potentially devastating effect on the world.

Considered to be among the most effective arguments and visuals outlined out of 239 entries from 49 countries, the 15 winners were chosen as the 'Students for a Nuclear Weapons-Free World', who would continue to incite public awareness on the issue of nuclear weapons and their spread and usage.

The winners of the 'Students for a Nuclear Weapons-Free World Contest' pose with Dr Hans Blix (yellow tie) and some of the organisers at the conference.

This international competition was organised by the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA), co-sponsored by the World Academy of Art and Science and supported by over 30 partnering organisations. The students were privileged to meet with Dr Hans Blix, chairman of the United Nations' Weapons of Mass Destruction Commission and president of the WFUNA.

Dr Blix told the students that, "the best way to avoid nuclear weapons is to make governments feel that they don't need them".

This advice was definitely taken into deep consideration by the students as they further launched out on developing effective strategies to achieve their aim of a nuclear weapons-free world by compiling all their ideas.

"We want to solve these problems before we inherit them," said Catriona Standfield, a student from Australia. This view had the possibility of becoming a reality as ambassadors from Canada, Iraq, Pakistan and Sweden were available to add their input and experience, while helping the students to formulate decisive disarmament strategies.

Renowned investigative journalist and author, Phillip Knightly, also shared with the students some of his research on the history of nuclear weapons, its production and use.

Knightly even shared with student audience his methods to more engage civil societies in the global disarmament campaign.
The youngest winner, 15-year-old Nicolas Forero Villarreal from Colombia, in his essay focused on how to educate students about the issue. "After consultation with my teachers, I identified John Estler's Model of Rational Choice and used it to sketch an educational programme for sixth to ninth graders."

The Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament was represented by the capable Alyn Ware. With the aid of a visual presentation on the human sufferings caused by the very long-term effects of a nuclear weapon, the vision of a nuclear weapons-free world was made more profound to those who saw it and an even greater realisation of our vulnerability and existence at the hands of those who possess nuclear weapons was revealed.

The diplomats/speakers were challenged by the pressing questions of the students who wanted to know what would happen to the knowledge of making nuclear weapons, if total disarmament was achieved. Also, how it would be possible to get the Third World countries, especially, on board the campaign for nuclear disarmament when they are faced with even more direct tragedies such as poverty and disease. These and other pertinent questions were thrown across the table and the answers to some were just as captivating, with the students being left to ably find the solutions to some of the questions.

At the end of the three-day conference, the students were well informed and ready to put their talks into action. To end on a good note, Pera Wells, Secretary General of the WFUNA, gave the students three very useful, tried and proven questions to ask in order to pursue a successful diplomatic career and those were: 1) What good did I do today?; 2) What clumsy thing did I do today?; and 3) What did I learn from somebody else?

After considering these questions everyday then the constant evaluation of one's day, the accomplishments and failures, will build within us a greater subconsciousness to set our goals and achieve them through strategic planning.

Good support in Bounty Hall for Heineken's 'Bond' road show

Opera star to sing for the Ward

This is the century for the person of colour — Judge Joe Brown