Peace Prize arrives with anti-nuke message

THE 2017 Nobel Peace Prize is making a stop in Ballarat.

Awarded to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, or ICAN, the Prize is in the city as part of a push to get the Federal government to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

“Australia’s government is refusing to sign the treaty, but both the ALP and the Greens support a nuclear weapons ban,” said ICAN Australian co-chair Dr Margaret Beavis.

“Australians strongly support it too. Both ALP and Liberal voters are more than 70 per cent in favour in a poll taken in late 2017.”

Now based in Geneva, Switzerland, ICAN is a coalition of 468 groups from 101 countries and was founded in Melbourne in 2007.

Its focus is on getting nations and governments to sign up to, and adhere to, the nuclear weapons ban treaty, part of the reason it was awarded the 2017 Peace Prize.

“We’re inviting the Ballarat community to learn more about this inspiring movement, view the Nobel Peace Prize medal and discuss the role Ballarat can play in creating a world without nuclear weapons,” Dr Beavis said.

“Anyone can get involved in the campaign to abolish nuclear weapons and help build awareness and support for the Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Take this up with your local council or parliamentary reps, civil society groups, friends and family. Time is not on our side.”

The Nobel Peace Prize will be at Ballarat Trades Hall for 6.30pm on Thursday, 6 February. Dr Beavis will give a talk as part of the event.