The core role of parliaments in ratifying treaties and adopting implementing legislation gives them tremendous potential to extend the rule of law even more deeply into the domain of disarmament. Yet disarmament and nonproliferation can also appear to legislators as remote from daily concerns. This is where this Handbook has most to offer. It brings disarmament down to earth, offering specific guidance on why it matters and how to achieve it.UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Message for the launch of the IPU/PNND Handbook
1. Parliamentary Handbook – Get your copy now!
On United Nations Day (24 October 2012), PNND and the Inter Parliamentary Union (IPU) released a Parliamentary Handbook on Supporting Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament, (in English and French) which has been prepared to assist parliaments and parliamentarians to implement the recommendations from a ground-breaking resolution adopted by consensus by the IPU in 2009 (available in English and French).
The 190-page Handbook, which was released at a plenary launch at the IPU Assembly in Quebec City, Canada, contains background on a wide range of non-proliferation and disarmament issues, along with examples of exemplary parliamentary practices – including in nuclear-weapon-possessing States, allies of nuclear-weapon-states and non-nuclear States. It also includes recommendations for further action by parliaments and parliamentarians.
The handbook was made available to all delegates at the IPU Assembly, and has since been distributed to the Speakers/Presidents of every parliament in the world, and to all UN ambassadors in Geneva and New York.
Get your copy from PNND. Contact chris@pnnd.org. The handbook is free, but donations to cover costs will be gratefully accepted.
2. Twenty-three parliaments in PNND video
In order to encourage parliamentarians to use the IPU/PNND handbook back in their parliaments, PNND and the World Future Council have produced a video of PNND members speaking in front of their parliaments on the role of parliamentarians to advance nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. The video includes parliamentarians from twenty-three countries passing the classic nuclear disarmament and pace symbol from parliament to parliament around the world. The video was shown at the launch of the IPU handbook in Quebec City, and at subsequent events (World Future Council assembly in Abu Dhabi, Basel Peace Office opening…) and is also posted on You Tube for global viewing.
3. ATOM Project launched at PNND Assembly
“I myself have no arms to hug you, but a heart as big as the open space of Kazakhstan ready to embrace the world for peace and nuclear disarmament.
Karipbek Kuyukov, Honorary ATOM Project Ambassador
Honorary ATOM Project Ambassador Mr. Karipbek Kuyukov
The ATOM Project (Abolish Testing Our Mission), an exciting new initiative to build global support for nuclear abolition, was launched at the PNND annual assembly in Astana, Kazakhstan on 29 August 2012 - the International Day Against Nuclear Tests. The ATOM project highlights the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of the use of nuclear weapons – particularly the nuclear tests conducted in Kazakhstan that have adversely affected the health and lives of nearly 2 million people. The images of the survivors, though sometimes difficult to witness, are featured in the campaign in order to raise awareness surrounding the damage nuclear testing can cause.
Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev launched the project at the opening plenary of over 4,000 people, including parliamentarians, diplomats, academics, disarmament experts and the media. The parliamentarians, who came from over 80 countries, were joined by international disarmament experts for the remainder of the assembly, which included workshops, the PNND Council meeting, and a field trip to the former Soviet nuclear test site and radiation research centre in the Semipalatinsk region.
German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle commended Kazakhstan at the assembly for launching the project and gave his support. Honorary ATOM Project Ambassador Mr. Karipbek Kuyukov, a heroic survivor from the effects of nuclear tests, spoke at the assembly about the horrific impact of the tests on the lives of Kazakhstan peoples – “Many of my relatives have died from the radiation from the nuclear tests” he said. “In one family first the father then the mother then all the children passed away – the whole family of 10.” Karipbek, who was born without arms, has become an accomplished painter and dynamic speaker on nuclear abolition.
Since the launch, PNND and the Nazarbayev Centre have organised events featuring the ATOM Project video, an anti-nuclear exhibition including some of Karipbek’s paintings and presentations by Karipbek and other Kazakhstan representatives in the Hague, Basel, Geneva and Washington.
4. UN breaks the disarmament deadlock?
The 67th session of the United Nations General Assembly, meeting in New York from September to November 2012, adopted two innovative nuclear disarmament resolutions that could break the 16-year old deadlock in multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations.
Frustrated at the ongoing use of the consensus rule in the Conference on Disarmament in Geneva that has enabled any member to veto any deliberations or negotiations on nuclear disarmament, Austria, Mexico and Norway submitted a resolution (A/RES/67/56), adopted by 133 in favour, 4 against and 35 abstentions, which establishes an open-ended working group to commence work in Geneva in 2013 “to develop proposals to take forward multilateral nuclear disarmament negotiations for the achievement and maintenance of a world without nuclear weapons.”
A second resolution (A/RES/67/39) submitted by the Non-Aligned Movement and adopted by 165 in favour, none against and 5 abstentions, aims to build political momentum for nuclear disarmament at the highest government level through the convening of a High-Level Meeting of the UN General Assembly on Nuclear Disarmament on 26 September 2013.
Tarja Cronberg MEP, co-sponsor of the European Parliament Declaration
PNND member Tarja Cronberg MEP has joined with three other Members of the European Parliament (Jaroslaw Walesa, Reinhard Bütikofer, and Janusz Zemketo) to launch a Written Declaration of Support for the Global Zero Action Plan for the phased and verified elimination of all nuclear weapons worldwide. The declaration, which currently has the support of 389 MEPs, ‘encourages the US and Russian Governments to reduce their arsenals to a total of 1 000 nuclear weapons each and to remove their tactical nuclear weapons from the European continent;’ and ‘calls on all nuclear weapons countries to participate in multilateral negotiations on the phased and verified elimination of all nuclear weapons worldwide and the establishment of a verification system that includes intrusive, unrestricted inspections.’
The declaration was proposed, and is being promoted, by Europe United for Zero, a campaign by youth leaders to build political support for the Global Zero Action Plan. On November 14, Europe United for Zero presented a banner of supporting signatures to members of the European Parliament at an event featuring Queen Noor of Jordan, General (ret) Bernard Norlain (Commander of French Air Defence 1990-92) and Bruce Blair (Director of Global Zero).
See European Parliament declaration gathers support.
6. Scotland, independence and nukes!
On December 5 the Scottish National Party (SNP), the current governing party, released its policy on Independence and Defence, outlining SNP policy should Scotland become independent as a result of the Independence Referendum in Autumn 2014. The policy holds that an independent Scotland would remain in NATO and the European Union, but would reject nuclear weapons, including the UK nuclear armed submarines currently based in Faslane, Scotland: “The SNP is firmly opposed to nuclear weapons wherever they are held. ·The SNP believe that the constitution for an independent Scotland should include an explicit ban on nuclear weapons being based on Scottish territory. ·A Scottish Affairs Committee (Westminster) report confirmed that Trident could be “disarmed within days and removed within months”. ·While the UK Government plans to spend £100bn on new nuclear weapons in the years ahead, future Scottish Governments could choose to spend our £8bn share more wisely – on conventional defence jobs, or to fund other public services.”
Trident nuclear submarine HMS Vengeance at Faslane
The possibility of an independent Scotland evicting the Trident submarines throws a spotlight on the UK nuclear policy – as their entire nuclear arsenal is deployed on submarines based in Faslane. In January, the UK Ministry of Defense (MOD) ruled out Devonport as a possible replacement base for the Trident fleet, leaving the UK with no feasible bases in UK for the Trident. MOD considers such an eviction unlikely – saying that “We are not making plans to move the nuclear deterrent from HM Naval Base Clyde, which supports 6,700 jobs, and where all of our submarines will be based from 2017.” (See, MoD: Trident submarines cannot be moved from Scotland to Plymouth, Guardian, 4 January 2013).
However, Mark Hennessy of the Irish Times reports that the UK, if it decides to keep its nuclear deterrent, may have to consider basing their nuclear submarines in France or the US (see UK considers how Scottish Yes vote would affect its nuclear capability, The Irish Times, 29 October 2012).
7. CTBTO Faces - video interview with PNND
In mid 2012, the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO) launched a video series called CTBTO Faces which interviews nuclear disarmament leaders around the world. On 2 January 2013, the CTBTO released a CTBTO Faces video featuring PNND Global Coordinator Alyn Ware. Alyn discusses the nuclear tests in the Pacific – which motivated him to become active in nuclear disarmament – plus other themes including the role of parliamentarians, prospects for nuclear disarmament and the role that the CTBTO can play in building the framework for a nuclear-weapons-free world.
8. Nobel Peace Prize – time to nominate!
Its nomination time for the Nobel Peace Prize. Four years ago President Obama was nominated for his vision for a nuclear-weapons-free world, and for taking some initial steps. Is now the time to give the award to a person and/or organisation that is making an effective global contribution to implementing this vision? Any parliamentarian is able to make a nomination (See Who may submit nominations). All nominations must be sent to the Nobel Peace Committee by 31 January.
The Nobel Committee does not reveal the nominees (only the winner). However, nominators are free to publicise their nominations if they so wish.
On 16 November 2012, PNND opened its new head office in Basel, Switzerland, as part of the Basel Peace Office: Advancing International Peace and Security through Nuclear Abolition. The other partners in the Basel Peace Office are the Middle Powers Initiative, World Future Council, Global Security Institute, Swisspeace, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (Switzerland), University of Basel Sociology Department and the Canton (municipality) of Basel.
The Basel Peace Office brings together key constituencies to build effective programs for nuclear abolition. These include, the Climate-Nuclear Nexus, Nuclear Abolition Forum, Engaging Legislators, the Framework Forum, Sports and Peace and Advancing Nuclear Weapon Free Zones. The Basel Peace Office was opened with a reception on 16 November followed by a symposium on 17 November on the Humanitarian Consequences of Nuclear Weapons (See Basel President Guy Morin opens the Basel Peace Office).
10. Nuclear weapon free zone updates
a. Middle East: governments postpone, civil society negotiates
Helsinki Civil Society Forum,
Final Session
On 20 November 2012, the US State Department announced that the UN-sponsored Conference on Establishing a Middle East Zone Free from Nuclear Weapons and other Weapons of Mass Destruction, which was due to take place in Helsinki in mid December, could not be convened as scheduled “because of present conditions in the Middle East and the fact that states in the region have not reached agreement on acceptable conditions for a conference. “Iran and the Arab League (representing Arab States) had indicated their readiness to participate, but not Israel
The US said that they will “continue to work seriously with our partners to create conditions for a meaningful conference… This will require that all parties agree on the purpose and scope of a conference and on an agenda and process that takes into account the legitimate security interests of all states in the region… it must operate solely on the basis of consensus among regional parties… We would not support a conference in which any regional state would be subject to pressure or isolation.”
Meanwhile parliamentarians and civil society organisations from the region (including from Israel and a number of Arab States) met in Helsinki from Dec 14-16 to consider ways to support the convening of a succesful inter-governmental conference. Keynote speakers included PNND Council Member Issam Makhoul (Israel) and PNND Global Coordinator Alyn Ware. The Forum, chaired by PNND member Tarja Cronberg MEP, adopted a declaration by consensus which, among other things, urges that a firm date be set for the inter-governmental conference, proposes a UN General Assembly resolution to support the process, calls on all countries in the region to participate in the conference and the ongoing process to establish the zone, and calls on the countries convening the conference (Russia, UK and US) to refrain from any action that would isolate any particular country in the process.
The Basel Peace Office – the new PNND Head Office – has been chosen to serve as the repository for key documents (in various languages) relating to the Helsinki process and civil society, including the Civil Society Declaration and the Parliamentary Statement.
b. North East Asia: PNND proposal gains traction, academic network established
“On 10 December 2012, PNND, the Research Center for Nuclear Weapons Abolition, Nagasaki University (RECNA) and the Nautilus Institute proposed a new network of academics and policy analysts engaged in the proposal for a North East Asian Nuclear Weapon Free Zone. The proposal came out of a conference on NE Asian NWFZ – A Comprehensive Approach held at the Nagasaki University. PNND, RECNA and the Nautilus Institute also organised public and parliamentary meetings in Nagasaki and Tokyo on the issue.
c. Arctic NWFZ
PNND Canada and PNND Denmark are leading the global efforts to promote an Arctic NWFZ in conjunction with the Canadian and Danish branches of Pugwash. PNND efforts with oppostion parties prior to the 2011 election in Denmark resulted in them adopting policy supporting an Arctic NWFZ which became government policy following the election. Denmark is now consulting with nonnuclear circum-polar governments on the issue.
On 26-27 October 2012, PNND, Canadian Pugwash, the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Ottawa and the Rideau Institute held a conference in Ottawa on the Arctic NWFZ proposal. The conference included parliamentarians from the circumpolar region, academics, government officials and advocates. One of the recommendations arising from the conference was for PNND to engage the Conference of Parliamentarians of the Arctic Region in the proposal. PNND is applying for funding to be able to do this.
11. Upcoming PNND events
a. Nuclear weapons – Open the Debate, French Senate, Jan 24-25
The recent book ‘“Nucléaire, un mensonge français: Réflexions sur le désarmement nucléaire” (Nuclear, a French lie: Reflections on nuclear disarmament) by former French Defence Minister Paul Quiles (with a chapter by PNND French Coordinator Jean-marie Collin), has, for the first time since President De Gaulle launched the French nuclear weapons program, opened a serious debate in France on the future of nuclear deterrence. To capitalize on this opening, PNND is organising a two-day event in the French Senate including a conference and other key parliamentary meetings. The conference will consider French nuclear policy in light of other policy developments in Europe, including the United Kingdom, Scotland and NATO.
Speakers will include:
Former general Bernard Norlain, member of Global Zero
Benoît Pelopidas, French defense analyst and co-author of “Delegitimizing Nuclear Weapons: Examining the Validity of Nuclear Deterrence”
Former Defence Minister Paul Quilès.
PNND Co-President Bill Kidd (Scotland):
PNND Co-President Uta Zapf (Germany)
For more information contact PNND France Coordinator, Jean-marie Collin, jeanmarie@pnnd.org
b. Framework Forum, Berlin, Feb 20-22
On 20-22 February 2013, PNND and the Middle Powers Initiative will host a Framework Forum meeting in Berlin supported by the German Foreign Office. The Framework Forum is a track-two consultative process of like-minded States working to explore the elements required to build the framework for nuclear abolition, undertake preparatory work on those elements that do not require full consensus, and engage with the nuclear-weapon States to facilitate comprehensive negotiations to achieve a nuclear-weapons free world.
The Framework Forum builds on the successful work of the Article VI Forum, under which a series of track two inter-governmental meetings were facilitated by MPI from 2005-2010 to build consensus on a comprehensive disarmament agenda to be adopted at the 2010 NPT Review Conference. The Framework Forum is especially designed to implement the agreement in 2010 that “All States need to make special efforts to establish the necessary framework to achieve and maintain a world without nuclear weapons.”
The Berlin conference is expected to comprise about 30 governments, 15-20 parliamentarians and about the same number of disarmament experts – working in a round-table format under Chatham House rules. German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle has been invited to open the conference.
c. Humanitarian consequences, Oslo, Mar 4-5
The Norwegian government has invited all governments to participate in an intergovernmental conference they are hosting in Oslo on the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons on Mar 4-5. The conference is expected to highlight the catastrophic consequences of any use of nuclear weapons on the environment, human health/survival, economies, food supply and other core arenas, thus elevating the issue of nuclear weapons in public, media, parliamentary and government agendas.
Parliamentarians are not specifically invited to the conference, but could participate as members of their government delegations if their governments so decide. Prior to the intergovernmental conference there will be a civil society forum (Mar 1-3) which is open to anyone interested. In addition, PNND Co-President Marit Nybakk will be hosting a side-event in parliament on Mar 4 for parliamentarians travelling to Oslo to engage with Norwegian parliamentarians on the roles and actions of parliamentarians for nuclear abolition.
PNND member Tarja Cronberg, co-sponsor of the European Parliament Declaration on Global Zero (see item 5 above, 389 MEPs support nuclear zero), is hosting a conference in the European Parliament on Mar 6 on the topic of Changing nuclear doctrine in Europe to achieve a nuclear-weapons-free world. The conference will feature Ward Wilson, author of 5 Myths of Nuclear Deterrence, released by Houghton Milton Harcourt in January 2013.
e. IPU Assembly, Quito, March 22-26. Launch of Spanish version of handbook
PNND is planning to launch the Spanish version of the PNND/IPU Handbook for Parliamentarians on Supporting Nuclear Nonproliferation and Disarmament at the 128th Assembly of the Inter Parliamentary Union in Quito Mar 22-26. The English and French versions were launched at the 127th IPU Assembly in Quebec City on UN Day 2012(see item 1 above, Parliamentary handbook. Get your copy now!) PNND is liaising with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in Latin America and the Caribbean (OPANAL) on promotion of the handbook in Latin American parliaments.
f. Middle East NWFZ, Haifa, April, April 5-6
PNND Council member Issam Makhoul is organising an international conference on April 5-6 in Haifa on the proposal for a Middle East Zone free from nuclear weapons and other Weapons of Mass Destruction. The aim of the conference is to facilitate dialogue between parliamentarians, academics and civil society in Israel, the neighbouring countries and other key countries in order to foster understanding, build good faith commitment for a Middle East Zone, and increase political momentum for a successful intergovernmental conference (See – item 10 (a) above, Middle East: governments postpone, civil society negotiates). For more information contact issam_makhoul@yahoo.com.
g. Abolition 2000, Edinburgh, April 16-18. Are you coming to Scotland?
Abolition 2000, the global network of over 2000 organisations supporting nuclear abolition, will hold its 2013 annual conference and assembly in Edinburgh, Scotland from April 16-18 hosted by PNND Co-President Bill Kidd. Abolition 2000’s principal call is for countries to commence negotiations on a nuclear weapons convention (NWC) – that would prohibit nuclear weapons and provide a phased program for their elimination under strict and effective international control.
Since 1995, Abolition 2000 has been organising the civil society advocacy caucuses at the NPT conferences and United Nations General Assembly. Abolition 2000 was instrumental in the drafting of the Model NWC – circulated by the United Nations and praised by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as a useful guide to nuclear disarmament negotiations.
The Abolition 2000 Assembly provides an opportunity for parliamentarians to engage with civil society representatives from around the world on strategies and actions for nuclear abolition.
“The two year countdown to the Independence Referendum in the autumn of 2014 will see a number of highlight events and none will be of greater importance than this visit of international activists and experts on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament coming to Scotland and our Parliament.”
Bill Kidd MSP, Abolition 2000 Global Council Member, Co-President of PNND
For more information visit www.abolition2000.org or contact Abolition 2000 c/o IKV Pax Christi, PO Box 19318, 3501 DH Utrecht, The Netherlands. Phone +31 30 232 0593. Email nukes@ikvpaxchristi.nl.
h. PNND and Mayors conference, Basel, June 28-29
On June 28-29, PNND will join with the Basel Peace Office in hosting The Basel Nuclear Disarmament Forum: Legislators collaborating for a secure nuclear-weapons-free world
This meeting of parliamentarians, mayors and civil society representatives from the heart of Europe will consider the role of legislators in building the political momentum and security-framework for a nuclear-weapons-free world.
Basel - situated at the intersection of a nuclear-weapon-State (France), a nuclear weapon ally (Germany) and a non-nuclear-weapon State (Switzerland) - provides a perfect location to bring together legislators from differing perspectives and security backgrounds to develop feasible approaches and share effective strategies.
The forum will include discussion of issues and initiatives relating to the humanitarian and environmental consequences of nuclear weapons, legal imperatives and solutions to nuclear threats, phasing out nuclear deterrence, and action for abolition. Speakers will focus on the roles and actions of legislators at local, federal, regional and international levels
For more information contact chris@pnnd.org
12. PNND welcomes new Council
PNND thanks the Co-Presidents and Council Members who served in 2012, commends those who were re-appointed at the PNND Assembly in Astana on 30 August, and welcomes new Co-Presidents and Council members. New Co-Presidents: Mani Shankar Aiyar, India
Mani Shankar Aiyar is a member of the Rajya Sabha (Upper House). He began his career as a an Indian diplomat before becoming the Private Secretary for Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, during which time he assisted Gandhi draft the Rajiv Gandhi Plan for Nuclear Disarmament and a Non-violent World Order. He then served as a member of Lok Sabha (Lower House) representing the Indian National Congress party until 2009. He served as Union Cabinet Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas from May 2004 through January 2006 and Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports till 2008. Mani Shankar is author of a number of books including Remembering Rajiv (1992), Pakistan Papers (1994), Knickerwallahs, Silly-Billies and Other Curious Creatures (1995), Confessions of a Secular Fundamentalist (2004) and A Time of Transition: Rajiv Gandhi to the 21st Century (2009).
Bill Kidd MSP (Scotland)
Bill Kidd has served as a member of the Scottish Parliament for the Scottish Nationalist Party for two years. During that time he has introduced a number of motions supporting nuclear disarmament and critical of the British deployment and home-basing of nuclear submarines in Faslane, Scotland. Mr Kidd has also participated in international disarmament initiatives, and has assisted Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond in efforts for Scottish representation in international disarmament forums.
Mani and Bill join re-appointed Co-Presidents Saber H Chowdhury MP (Bangladesh), Senator David Coltart (Zimbabwe), Senator Rosario Green (Mexico), Hideo Hiraoka MP (Japan), Mi-Kyung Lee MP(Republic of Korea), Rep Ed Markey (United States), Baroness Sue Miller (United Kingdom), Marit Nybakk MP (Norway) and Uta Zapf MP (Germany).
New Council Members: Dr. Aytug Atici, Turkey
Prof. Aytug Atici is a medical doctor and a parliamentarian at Grand National Assembly of Turkey from the Republican People's Party. He has promoted the proposal for a Middle East Zone Free of Nuclear Weapons and other WMD in Turkey, succeeding in securing the endorsement of over 40 parliamentarians for the joint global parliamentary statement on this issue.
Martin Monestel, Costa Rica
Martin Monestel is Vice-President of the Costa Rican National Assembly. Professor, artist, and international speaker on the inclusion of people with disabilities.
Paul W. Dewar, MP, Canada
Paul Dewar is an educator and politician from Ottawa, Ontario. He is the New Democratic Party (NDP) Member of Parliament for the riding of Ottawa Centre. Dewar was first elected to the House of Commons in the 2006 federal election and currently serves as the Official Opposition Critic for Foreign Affairs.
Abdullah Ensour MP, Jordan
Abdullah Ensour has served in a number of key positions in the Jordanian parliament, including deputy prime minister in 1998, foreign minister in 1989, minister of planning and international cooperation in 1984, and minister of information in 1998. On 10 October 2012, Jordan's King Abdullah II appointed Abdullah Ensour as Prime Minister to prepare for the country's first post-Arab Spring parliamentary election.
Harry Jenkins MP, Australia
Harry Jenkins has been representing the Division of Scullin, Victoria, since the 1986 by-election for the Australian Labor Party. He is the longest-serving Labor member of the House of Representatives (over 26 years). He was Deputy Speaker 1993-1996 and Second Deputy Speaker from 1996 to his election as Speaker in 2008 from which he resigned on 24 November 2011.
Ghassan Moukheiber MP, Lebanon
Ghassan Moukheiber is a member of the Lebanese Parliament, representing the Metn district since 2002. He is a member of the “Change and Reform” parliamentary group, Parliamentary Law and Administration committee and Rapporteur of the parliamentary Human Rights committee and member of the parliamentary Environment committee. He is Vice- Chairman of the Arab Region Parliamentarians Against Corruption, and Chair of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption - Global Task Force—Parliamentary Ethics Project.
Sen. Tolegen Mukhamejanov, Kazakhstan
Besides being a Senator, Tolegen Mukhamedzhanov is a composer, poet, laureate of the Parasat Medal, a state prize of the Republic of Kazakhstan. He is also Professor, President of the international association Peace Through Culture, Co-Chair of the World Forum of Spiritual Culture and Director of the State Opera and Ballet TheatreAstana Opera. Senator Mukhamedzhanov composed the anti-nuclear song that became the anthem of the Nevada-Semipalatinsk Movement – which successfully campaigned for the closing of the Soviet nuclear test site in Kazakhstan.
Claudio Monge, Costa Rica
Claudio Monge is leader of the Citizen Action Party. Chairman of the Environmental Commission, Secretary of the Human Rights Commission and member of the Agricultural Commission and Secretary of the Human Rights.
Alongkorn Ponlaboot, Thailand
Alongkorn Ponlaboot is a Member of Parliament, Democrat Party, Phetchaburi province and also Deputy Prime Minister (Shadow Cabinet), Democrat Party. His major positions include President of Alternative Energy Institute of Thailand Foundation, and Advisor to the Standing Committee on Energy of the House of Representatives. He was a Vice Chairman of Energy Committee House of Representatives (2001-2005).
Viktor Rogalev, Kazakhstan
Member of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan of the fifth convocation, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defense and Security. Member of Political Council of the People’s Democratic Party “Nur Otan”, elected by the party list.
Senator François De Rugy, France
François de Rugy is a member of the National Assembly of France. He represents the Loire-Atlantique department, as a member of the Democratic and Republican Left, a parliamentary group that includes his political party Europe Ecology – The Greens.
Anwar El Sadat, Egypt (Alumni Member)
Anwar El Sadat is President of the Reform and Development Party. He served as the Chair of the Egyptian Parliament (House of Representative) Human Rights Committee until the House of Representative was suspended by the transitional council. He was also a member of the Constitutional Committee, working for a constitution which would be supported by all parties and protective of the rights of all constituencies in Egypt.
Senator Mushahid Sayed, Pakistan
Mushahid Hussain Sayed has served in the cabinet as federal minister of information from 1997 to 1999 in the Nawaz Sharif government. He was elected to the Senate of Pakistan in 2003, and reelected in 2012. He was also selected the Secretary General of the Pakistan Muslim League.
Senator Richard Tuheiava, France
Richard Tuheiava is a Member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Armed Forces Vice-President of the Senate overseas delegation of the Senate of France, representing French Polynesia. He is a member of the Socialist Party.
Jose Claveria de Venecia, Jr. (Alumni Member)
Jose Claveria de Venecia, Jr. also known as JDV or Joe De V is a former Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Philippines, serving from 1992 to 1998 and from 2001 to 2008. As Speaker, he was the fourth highest ranking official of the Philippines. He was the former president of the Philippines' dominant party, LAKAS-CMD.
They are joined on the PNND Global Council by re-appointed members Helen Clark (Head of UNDP, Honorary Member), Senator Roméo Dallaire (Canada), Rep Dennis Kucinich (United States), Jeremy Corbyn MP (United Kingdom), Senator Michelle Demessine (France), Paul Dewar MP (Canada), Paul Hutchison MP (New Zealand), Harry Jenkins MP (Former Speaker of Australian Parliament), Birgitta Jónsdóttir MP (Iceland), Marianne Malak Kamal MP (Egypt, youngest member of the Egyptian parliament), Roderich Kiesewetter MP (Deputy Chair of the German Parliament Subcommittee on Disarmament and Arms Control), Dov Khenin MP (Israel), Taro Kono MP (Japan), Hallgeir Langeland MP (Norway), Dirk van der Maelen MP (Belgium), Christa Markwalder MP, (Switzerland), Federica Mogherini MP (Italy), Christine Muttonen MP (Austria), Holger Nielsen MP (Deputy Prime Minister, Denmark), Senator David Norris (Ireland), Angelika Beer MP (Chair, Parliamentarians for Conflict Prevention), Christer Winbäck MP (Parliamentary Forum on Small Arms and Light Weapons) and Alumni members , Senator Abacca Anjain Maddison (Marshall Islands), Raphael Chegeni (Tanzania), Marian Hobbs (New Zealand), Sergei Kolesnikov (Russia), Alexa McDonough (Canada), Senator Douglas Roche (Canada), Edine von Herold (Costa Rica), Issam Makhoul (Israel) and Rudolph Rechsteiner (Switzerland).
