VLADIMIR. DECEMBER 23, 2022. PIR PRESS. “A studentbook history can be interesting. But it becomes even more interesting when you meet people who made it with their own hands and brick by brick paved the way to today. In that case, if you are given the opportunity to talk to these people from today about the problems of our time, then history enters a new volumetric dimension. This is exactly how it turned out during the seminar of PIR Center Oral History of Nuclear Nonproliferation, which took place on December 3–5 in Vladimir,” – Anna Fomina, undergraduate student in International Journalism, MGIMO.
From December 3 to 5, 2022, a seminar of the project Oral History of Nuclear Nonproliferation was held on the basis of the Pearl of the Golden Ring Hotel in Vladimir. The seminar brought together 17 young researchers from Russia, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Japan and Switzerland. The seminar was held with the support by the Presidential Grants Foundation and the Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund.
Before participating in the seminar, all participants received links to video interviews with seminar experts published on the PIR Center’s YouTubechannel.
Within the framework of the seminar, two round tables were held: “Arms control at the present stage: challenges and prospects” and “Current problems of the nuclear nonproliferation regime”. Within the first round table the following experts presented their keynote speeches:
Head of the Center for Political and Military Studies of the Moscow State University, Chairman of PIR Center Executive Board Gen. Evgeny P. Buzhinsky with the report Assessment of the nuclear missile potential of the PRC.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary (retired), Professor of the Department of International Law of the MGIMO Dr Mikhail N. Lysenko with a report Problems and prospects of preventing space weaponization.
PIR Center Consultant, former Head of the Operational Department of the General Staff of the Strategic Missile Forces Gen. Vasily F. LataNew challenges of strategic stability and behavioral strategy of Russia
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary (retired), Professor and Honorary Doctor of International Relations (honoris causa) of the Geneva School of Diplomacy and International Relations Yuri K. Nazarkin with the report The Future of Arms Control After the End of New START Treaty.
At the second round table Actual Problems of Nuclear Nonproliferation Regime, the following speakers took the floor:
Member of the Executive Board of the Nuclear Society of Russia, former Advisor to the General Director of Rosatom, member of PIR Center Advisory Board Dr. Vladimir P. Kuchinov with a report on Development of Nuclear Energy In the World and Nuclear Nonproliferation Regime
Envoy Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary (retired) Victor S. Slipchenko with a report The Impact of Prohibition of Nuclear Tests On Nuclear Nonproliferation Regime.
Member of the Expert Council of the PIR Center, Associate Professor of Bauman Moscow State Technical University Dr. Alexander V. Fedorov.
After the presentations of the experts, the seminar participants were able to ask their questions and discuss the current problems of nuclear nonproliferation and disarmament with leading practitioners in this field.
According to the participant of the seminar Dmitry Kritsky, a graduate student in International Trade Policy, HSE, the program of the scientific seminar of Oral History of Nuclear Nonproliferation Project was very rich, and useful in terms of new knowledge and exchange of views on topical issues of nuclear nonproliferation. During the seminar, I was able to discuss with both experienced and young specialists the prospects for concluding START-4, the problems of strategic global security, and hone my oratorical skills during the International Timerbaev debates”.
According to another participant, Alexey Braverman, a bachelor’s student in International Journalism at MGIMO, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, “fascinating reports by experts have become fertile ground for lively discussions about various aspects of nuclear nonproliferation. Separately, I will note the intergenerational dimension of the event: it is one thing to study history from archival documents and quite another to learn about the most significant events of the past from people who took the most active part in them”.
After the round tables, the V International Timerbaev Debates took place. The debate was moderated by the Deputy Director of PIR Center, Elena A. Karnaukhova. The expert at the debate was the consultant of the PIR Center Dr. Vadim B. Kozyulin.
After a rich educational program, the participants were awarded certificates. Then, in a solemn atmosphere, the results of the competition for the Evstafiev Awards were summed up and an auction of publications of PIR Center was held.
On the next day, participants and experts had the opportunity to go on a sightseeing tour around the Russian ancient city Suzdal, as well as to see the Church of the Intercession on the Nerl.
As one of the participants, Andrey Kuchuk, a graduate student of the MGIMO Foreign Policy and Diplomacy of Russia Department, noted, “the organizers managed to create a very warm and sincere atmosphere that set up not only work, but also free fruitful communication during the informal part of the seminar.” Member of PIR Center Advisory Board Dr Vladimir P. Kuchinov also thanked PIR Center for holding the event: “Thanks to the project of PIR Center Oral History of Nuclear Nonproliferation, I had a beautiful chance to visit a wonderful place and exchange opinions with interesting people.”As Gen. Vasily Lata also noted,”for almost three decades, the PIR Center has not only provided high-quality and professional expertise in the field of nuclear nonproliferation and disarmamnet, but also brings up the beginning specialists, “builds bridges” between generations, organizing rich and meaningful educational events,” – Gen. Vasily.F. Lata, PIR Center consultant.
PIR Center expresses its gratitude to all the experts and listeners who took part in the event, and also thanks the Presidential Grants Foundation and the Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund.
Feedback from participants:
Roman E. Zhilin, student, Master’s degree in International Security, Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation:
“The seminar really gave a unique opportunity to communicate with people who created history. We managed to expand our knowledge in the field of nuclear disarmament. Special thanks for organizing an excursion to Suzdal”.
Mitiya Ishii, PhD student, MGIMO MFA of the Russian Federation, Moscow
“Probably, we can safely say that in any political events, the human factor is always an important factor that cannot be ignored for a deep understanding of modern problems. By participating in the PIR Center program, the participants managed not only to expand and deepen their knowledge on the topic of nuclear nonproliferation, but even to ask questions or discuss the problem with excellent specialists who participated in the process itself. It will be difficult to find such a unique chance anywhere else!”
Torebi Karimov, Expert of the Department of Development of Projects in the field of Broadcasting, Ministry of Information and Public Development of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Astana
“Thank you for the invitation to the seminar and for the organization. Thank you for the opportunity to take part in such an event. The knowledge that has been gained is priceless”.
Abubakr Mahmadsaidzoda, Deputy Head of the Department for the Study of Regional Security Problems of the Center for Strategic Studies under the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Dushanbe
“The programs implemented within the framework of the PIR Center project will help us strengthen our scientific ties between representatives of various countries of the world. Including the program “Nuclear Nonproliferation: History in persons” which took place from December 3-5, 2022 in Vladimir contributed to the development of our knowledge related to the nonproliferation of nuclear weapons. At the same time, the specialists who took part in the seminar explained to us all aspects of this topic!”
Andrey Eliseev, student, Master’s degree in Global Politics and International Political Analysis, MGIMO member of the Russian Association of International Law
“The seminar of PIR Center objectively reflected the current international state of civil society organizations in relation to the topic of nonproliferation as the inability to solve key problems in the field of nonproliferation and arms control by means of of civil society organizations. At the same time, the following objectives were successfully achieved within the framework of the seminar: informing the general public about the problems of the nonproliferation and arms control, attracting the interest of young scientists and students, organizing a dialogue of experts on this topic with students and young specialists, as well as encouraging research in nonproliferation and arms control”.
Behruz Nuriddinov, Student, Master’s degree in International Politics and Security, OSCE Academy, Dushanbe, Tajikistan
“Organizing events that bring together young people from all over the world to discuss such an important topic as nuclear nonproliferation is a monumental job. By planning such an event, the PIR Center, headed by Dr. Vladimir Orlov, supports the global struggle to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons, preserving the memory of outstanding scientists and diplomats and their significant contribution to international peace and security. It was very interesting and unforgettable to have in-person discussions with distinguished diplomats who had firsthand experience with the crisis of international relations in general and nuclear non-proliferation in particular. I consider it a huge honor to have participated in the PIR Center session on Oral History of Nuclear Non-Proliferation“.
