Walkshop 2025

The Walkshop’s Mission

The 2025 Walkshop will provide participants with a profound understanding of the risks nuclear weapons pose to long-term peacekeeping. More than an educational experience, this initiative will cultivate a new generation of peace multipliers – individuals who not only grasp the existential dangers of nuclear war but also engage critically with viable pathways toward conflict prevention and disarmament. Under the theme “Nuclear Risks and Long-Term Peacekeeping,” the Walkshop will bring together young participants for an interdisciplinary learning experience. Through a combination of digital auditory teaching materials, site visits, and structured discussions, participants will explore the complexities of nuclear arms control, long-term stability and the broader implications of nuclear strategy on current and future international security.

Set against the rugged landscapes of Scotland, in proximity to Britain’s nuclear arsenal, the Walkshop integrates intellectual inquiry with physical movement. During each stage of the hike, participants will absorb several hours of expert-led content via digital learning materials and engage in structured dialogues – first in pairs or small groups of three, then rotating at regular intervals to encourage diverse exchanges of perspectives. On average, participants will engage in 4.5 hours of guided listening and discussion per day, ensuring a deep engagement with the subject matter.

A key didactic component of the Walkshop is the visit of historically and politically significant learning stations that serve as focal points for discussion and reflection. The five-day hike will lead participants along the scenic paths around Loch Lomond and past HM Naval Base Clyde – the home of the UK’s Trident nuclear submarines. Along the way, two dedicated learning stations will offer the opportunity to explore nuclear policy and resistance from different perspectives.

At Faslane, the group will visit the Peace Camp, which has stood since 1982 as a powerful symbol of civil resistance against nuclear weapons. Meeting with activists on-site will allow participants to explore the human stories behind long-term anti-nuclear protest, and to understand the social and political impact of living in the shadow of the UK’s nuclear deterrent. In Glasgow, the Walkshop will conclude with a visit to the Glasgow Women’s Library, whose collections shed light on the role of feminist peace activism , particularly through the example of the Greenham Common Women’s Peace Camp and other women-led disarmament movements. During the time of the Walkshop, the library will also be hosting the exhibition “For Peace!”, which explores the history and present of the peace movement. This learning station will offer a space to reflect on the historical significance of grassroots activism and its relevance for today’s efforts toward nuclear disarmament.

Why this topic?

Peace is not only a fundamental human need but also a key factor for the well-being and development of future generations. Only the absence of war enables an environment in which people can unfold their potential. This has direct implications for the quality of life and future prospects of upcoming generations. The Charter of the United Nations (UN), signed on 26 June 1945, in San Francisco, begins with the words: “We the peoples of the United Nations determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind [...].” The Charter was signed in the wake of the consequences of World War II, the historical event that resulted in the sharpest decline in human welfare in history.

Wars and violent conflicts have devastating consequences for society. They lead to loss of life and health, destroy communities and infrastructure, interrupt social progress, and often leave long-term traumas. With the possession of nuclear weapons, humanity has, for the first time in its history, the means to put an end to its existence. While the global number of nuclear warheads has been decreasing since the 1980s, nuclear-armed states (USA, Russia, UK, France, China, India, Pakistan, Israel, and North Korea) are modernising their arsenals. Notably, the development of tactical nuclear weapons makes the use of nuclear weapons more likely, as they can be deployed with greater precision.

The war in Ukraine and the increasingly escalating tensions surrounding Taiwan have made the use of nuclear weapons more likely than ever before since 1945 (cf. Doomsday Clock). The growing mistrust between nuclear-armed states, the arms control treaties between the USA and Russia terminated by Trump and Putin, China’s decision to strive for nuclear parity with the USA and Russia, the increasing use of autonomous systems independent of human command chains, the unstable security situation in the Middle East, and the considerations of previously nuclear-free states to develop their own nuclear weapons are just some of the current challenges. 

In research on existential risks to humanity, there is a high probability that within the lifetime of a child born today, widespread use of nuclear weapons will occur. Humanity cannot afford to continue relying on the doctrine of nuclear deterrence developed in the 1950s for a bipolar world: the current handling of nuclear weapons is not sustainable for the future.

Peaceful cooperation (positive peace) goes beyond the absence of armed conflicts (negative peace). In a stable peace order, military or defense spending would be very limited, and the financial resources needed to maintain and modernise nuclear (overkill) arsenals would be completely unnecessary. More financial resources could be invested in areas such as education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, and combating climate change, for the benefit of present and future generations. 

The only viable path to mitigating these existential threats lies in the pursuit of sustained and comprehensive peacekeeping. Achieving long-term peace requires a multi-layered approach, encompassing efforts at the individual, local, national, and international levels. True, or 'positive' peace, extends beyond the mere absence of conflict; it necessitates the active cultivation of trust, open dialogue between nations, and robust cooperation in conflict prevention and resolution. It demands the strengthening of institutions for peace and justice, the promotion of human rights, and the advancement of sustainable development – all critical pillars of a stable and just global order.

A key feature of this Walkshop is the exchange of perspectives between German and Scottish participants. Germany, as a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), stands in contrast to the United Kingdom, a nuclear-armed state. This fundamental difference in national policies and historical experiences will enrich discussions, for a deeper and more nuanced dialogue on nuclear deterrence, disarmament, and international security. By engaging with differing viewpoints, participants will not only challenge their own assumptions but also enhance the diplomatic and analytical skills necessary for constructive peacebuilding.

Beyond facilitating these critical exchanges, the Walkshop is designed to empower participants as peace multipliers and individuals actively engaged in long-term peacekeeping efforts. By equipping them with the knowledge, tools, and strategies needed to advocate for peace, the program ensures that their impact extends far beyond the duration of the Walkshop itself, shaping future discussions and actions on nuclear security and global stability.

Financing

This project is made possible through the generous support of the Apfelbaum Foundation. Thanks to their commitment, the Foundation for the Rights of Future Generations (FRFG) is able to provide accommodation, travel in between learning stations, and meals for the entire duration of the Walkshop – from the initial gathering at the Youth Hostel in Glasgow on 26 June to the final morning in the city on 1 July 2025. Participants are responsible for arranging and covering their own travel to and from Glasgow.