Jonathan Granoff, Global Security Institute
Jonathan Granoff is currently the president of the Global Security Institute, an international organization dedicated to nuclear disarmament. As a lawyer and international advocate, he has been a vocal opponent of nuclear proliferation, serving on the advisory boards of the NGO Committee on Disarmament at the United Nations and the Lawyers Committee on Nuclear Policy as well as being the UN Representative of the Lawyer's Alliance for World Security.
Mr. Granoff is also the author of over 50 publications on the moral, ethical and legal implications of nuclear weapons. As a peace activist, he has represented the International Peace Bureau at the annual Nobel Peace Laureate Summit since 2002.
1. What are your current priorities in your work as the president of the Global Security Institute?
Convince the governments of nuclear weapons states and nuclear weapons capable states to begin the preliminary process of negotiating a legally enforceable universal non discriminatory ban of nuclear weapons by either a treaty or framework of legal instruments. By such action many threat reducing non proliferation efforts will be enhanced and the political currency of these horrific devices reduced dramatically.
2. Will economic austerity in Europe and the United States have a detrimental effect on global security?
Of course. When people are afraid for their future well being their capacity for thinking in a manner that understands the perspective of those different than themselves diminishes. Fear diminishes compassion. Security enhances human sensitivities toward others and if there is quality needed to advance global security it is trust. The psychological dimensions of economic insecurity are enomously important.
3. What is the greatest challenge to transatlantic security today?
A distorted myopic interpretation of state interest and the pursuit of state security to the detriment of human security. The challenges of protecting the climate, the oceans and the rainsforests require new levels of cooperation and a new attitude toward economic growth that places harmony with the natural world as a critical imperative. This will require changes in our economic theories and must be done globally to succeed. Nationalistic perspectives on these global realities is a challenge we must overcome.
4. What advice would you give to students interested in pursuing a career international relations?
Travel, listen to people different than yourself, and listen with an open heart.
