PHYSICIANS FOR GLOBAL SURVIVAL (Hamilton Chapter)

Our mission statement is:

Because of our concern for global health, we are committed to: the abolition of nuclear weapons, the prevention of war, the promotion of non-violent means of conflict resolution, and social justice in a sustainable world."

We are physicians and colleagues (both health workers and others) who work together to be an informed and responsible voice for healing our planet. We collaborate with other health workers across the planet to bring information to people about the continuing threats posed by nuclear weapons; about the devastating effects on population health and on the environment of militarism, war and arms acquisitions and about nonviolent alternatives in conflict management. We conduct dialogues with decision-makers in our national government and other bodies.

We feel we played a significant role in bringing the issue of legality of nuclear weapons to the World Court, and in generating action on banning landmines which culminated in the Ottawa Process. In Canada we have worked particularly to support our colleagues in the Indian and Pakistani community in educating the public about the effects of nuclear bombs. We have published positions on aspects of violence in culture - media violence, war toys and hand guns. We oppose low-level military flights over Innu territory in Labrador and have researched the health effects of these. We are currently working with Cuban colleagues on several health related projects. We worked energetically on advocating changes to Canada's nuclear policy, and, with physicians from other countries, changes to NATO's nuclear policy.

In our work collectively under the aegis of International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War we were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985. In Hamilton we have a very active group which meets every second Wednesday night.

Mailing Address: 96 Haddon Avenue North, Hamilton, Ont. 

Phone: (905) 529-2694  E-Mail:    ahmed@mcmaster.ca

Web:  www.pgs.ca

Contacts:   Khursheed Ahmed      (905) 529-2694 
ahmed@mcmaster.ca

Barbara Birkett   (905) 849-7167 bbirkett@interlog.com