ICAN’s Nobel Peace Prize is very special because it has been given to the anti-nuclear grassroots movement of every nation. This should serve as an accountability reminder as well as motivation to all those wanting to scrap Trident and ban nuclear weapons.
The breadth of diversity present at the celebrations in Oslo was extraordinary. They might not be celebrities or have recognisable names, but they have passion and determination and they carry the voices of thousands of people at home who want the nuclear weapons madness to stop. The UN Ban on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons and ICAN has energised the nuclear disarmament movement and has given a voice to the majority of the world’s nations that oppose nuclear weapons.
As I travel back from Oslo I’m reflecting on a couple of things that we can learn from Norway:
1. The positive attitude and “can be done” vibe of Norwegian people on the streets, subways and public spaces towards the nuclear disarmament movement.
2. Norwegian grassroots engagement in peace and reconciliation work is more important than ever, and the government has a budget line for peace and reconciliation efforts and funds organisations like ICAN.
I am looking forward to a Scotland that prioritises peace work and for an even louder common voice saying no to Trident on Scottish shores and roads, and no to nuclear weapons anywhere in the world.
Flavia Tudoreanu
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