Introduction
Forming part of BASIC’s Inclusive International Security Programme, the Emerging Voices Network (EVN) seeks to reach, engage and platform early career and young experts from communities, countries and backgrounds that are underrepresented in mainstream nuclear policy fora. The EVN is committed to helping these individuals overcome institutional barriers to ensure that nuclear fora are truly global and that the perspectives and expertise of communities that are often minoritised, yet impacted by nuclear weapons development and policy, are centred and integrated into mainstream nuclear dialogue. The EVN aims to support this new generation of experts who will be working on these issues to address the risks posed by nuclear weapons. Six months ago, the EVN launched a new Policy Cycle focused on de-siloing existential threats. With support from the Ploughshares Equity Rises Fund, this EVN Policy Cycle was dedicated to breaking down silos and challenging ideas and approaches within and adjacent to the nuclear policy field. As issues relating to identity, power, and inclusivity inform international security practices, nuclear policy, and peacebuilding in many ways, they can have significant implications for individuals, societies, and states all over the world. Confronting, reflecting, and addressing these topics is therefore key to transforming contemporary and future nuclear policy decisions in the best interests of peace and security.
With this in mind, five EVN Working Groups, each led by two Co-Chairs, researched and drafted policy papers including a set of policy recommendations for the international community to consider and take forward. The Working Groups engaged with and confronted key issues relating to:
- Examining and dismantling military-industrial complexes;
- Nuclear weapons issues and climate change;
- Increasing equity, diversity, and inclusivity in the nuclear weapons policy field and within the community of practitioners;
- Challenging racism and white supremacy in nuclear weapons policy-making; and
- Nuclear weapons issues and social justice.
The resulting anthology provides valuable insights into the current challenges and issues that concern
emerging researchers and young professionals in the nuclear policy field. They underline the need for innovative approaches to long-standing issues as discussions on nuclear weapons too often take place in siloed environments. Yet, to make significant progress towards nuclear disarmament, non-proliferation, and arms control, the nuclear policy community should consider the linkages between nuclear weapons issues and other existential risks. The community should also recognise the salience of these issues among this young generation of nuclear experts and consider their recommendations as part of a broader effort in making this field more accessible, representative, and inclusive of emerging and minoritised voices.
