Drawn up in 1982 to underline the role of science and scientists against the risk of a nuclear holocaust in a world polarized into opposing military blocs, the Erice Manifesto is now updated, in the light of the new international political situation: in the Addendum published today it launches an appeal so that the ongoing wars do not stop the dialogue between scientists, nor cooperation in science.
Since 100, 1982,<> scientists and government officials have adhered to the Erice Manifesto and, "in the years following the drafting of the Manifesto, far-sighted leaders have entered into historic agreements for arms control and the reduction of nuclear warheads, leading to the progressive détente that favored the end of the Cold War," the Addendum notes. Since then, however, the world has changed and "humanity now faces increasing risks of a renewed arms race in a context that extends from the existing plans for nuclear weapons, other weapons of mass destruction and conventional weapons to those that see the malevolent use of emerging dual technologies and the growing security challenges of outer space. What is at stake now is the very stability of the international architecture of disarmament, arms control and non-proliferation resulting from the end of the Cold War."
These are changes that "re-propose with greater force the affirmation of the power of science as a vehicle for peace and collaboration between peoples and governments, in a context that must be one of moderation and a return to constructive dialogue." In fact, it is noted that "the current development of science is based on international collaboration between significant numbers of researchers and on the possibility for them to be in continuous contact, without restrictions. It is necessary to reaffirm the independence and neutrality of science beyond instrumental or aggressive political aims, placing the good of humanity at the center of our concerns."
The current wars, the document concludes, "have dramatically revived a crisis of international relations that does not belong to the spirit of science and global sharing of knowledge. We need to reverse course."
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