Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 days ago
Recording of an ÖFG Peaceful Change panel discussion on 18 June 2026 at the Diplomatische Akademie Wien - Vienna School of International Studies organised in cooperation with the Österreichische Forschungsgemeinschaft (ÖFG)
Welcome:
Markus Kornprobst (Professor of International Relations, Vienna School of International Studies)
Keynote address:
Setsuko Thurlow
(Nuclear-disarmament advocate and survivor of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on 6 August 1945)
Discussion:
Angela Kane
(fmr. UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs; fmr. UN Under-Secretary-General for Management)
Nadja Schmidt
(Executive Director, International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons ICAN Austria)
Aigerim Seitenova
(Kazakh human rights professional and interdisciplinary researcher; Co-Founder, Qazaq Nuclear Frontline Coalition)
Moderator:
Heather Wokusch (Executive Director, MESPERO: Impact for Resilience; Executive Director, SDG2030.me)
For decades, Setsuko Thurlow has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the humanitarian and ethical dimensions of nuclear weapons, speaking before governments, universities, international organisations and civil society audiences around the world. She became one of the leading public voices of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), helping to mobilise support for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). In 2017, she delivered one of the Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speeches on behalf of ICAN.
Her advocacy bridges history, lived experience, and international policy, reminding audiences that debates about deterrence and strategic stability ultimately concern human lives, communities and future generations.
At a time when nuclear rhetoric is intensifying internationally, this event aims to provide participants with a rare opportunity to engage directly with individuals – including with lived experience - working at the intersection of diplomacy, advocacy and ethics.
Chapters:
00:00:00 Welcome by Markus Kornprobst
00:08:05 Introduction by Heather Wokusch
00:08:32 Keynote address by Setsuko Thurlow
00:33:49 Comments by Nadja Schmidt
00:46:35 Comments by Angela Kane
00:56:06 Comments by Aigerim Seitenova
01:09:55 Comments by Heather Wokusch
01:11:35 Q&A with the audience
01:46:26 Closing remarks by the panellists
01:55:41 Closing remarks by Markus Kornprobst
This lecture is part of the ÖFG Working Group on Peaceful Change's series of public lectures and panel discussions, which is organised jointly by the Österreichische Forschungsgemeinschaft (Austrian Research Association ÖFG) and the Diplomatische Akademie Wien - Vienna School of International Studies (DA).
Learn more about the DA and its programmes at https://www.da-vienna.ac.at.
#diplomacymatters
Partner:
Austrian Research Association (ÖFG): https://www.oefg.at/
Photo: © Alice Cheung auf Pixabay
Recording of an ÖFG Peaceful Change panel discussion on 18 June 2026 at the Diplomatische Akademie Wien - Vienna School of International Studies organised in cooperation with the Österreichische Forschungsgemeinschaft (ÖFG)
Welcome:
Markus Kornprobst (Professor of International Relations, Vienna School of International Studies)
Keynote address:
Setsuko Thurlow
(Nuclear-disarmament advocate and survivor of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on 6 August 1945)
Discussion:
Angela Kane
(fmr. UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs; fmr. UN Under-Secretary-General for Management)
Nadja Schmidt
(Executive Director, International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons ICAN Austria)
Aigerim Seitenova
(Kazakh human rights professional and interdisciplinary researcher; Co-Founder, Qazaq Nuclear Frontline Coalition)
Moderator:
Heather Wokusch (Executive Director, MESPERO: Impact for Resilience; Executive Director, SDG2030.me)
For decades, Setsuko Thurlow has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the humanitarian and ethical dimensions of nuclear weapons, speaking before governments, universities, international organisations and civil society audiences around the world. She became one of the leading public voices of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), helping to mobilise support for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). In 2017, she delivered one of the Nobel Peace Prize acceptance speeches on behalf of ICAN.
Her advocacy bridges history, lived experience, and international policy, reminding audiences that debates about deterrence and strategic stability ultimately concern human lives, communities and future generations.
At a time when nuclear rhetoric is intensifying internationally, this event aims to provide participants with a rare opportunity to engage directly with individuals – including with lived experience - working at the intersection of diplomacy, advocacy and ethics.
Chapters:
00:00:00 Welcome by Markus Kornprobst
00:08:05 Introduction by Heather Wokusch
00:08:32 Keynote address by Setsuko Thurlow
00:33:49 Comments by Nadja Schmidt
00:46:35 Comments by Angela Kane
00:56:06 Comments by Aigerim Seitenova
01:09:55 Comments by Heather Wokusch
01:11:35 Q&A with the audience
01:46:26 Closing remarks by the panellists
01:55:41 Closing remarks by Markus Kornprobst
This lecture is part of the ÖFG Working Group on Peaceful Change's series of public lectures and panel discussions, which is organised jointly by the Österreichische Forschungsgemeinschaft (Austrian Research Association ÖFG) and the Diplomatische Akademie Wien - Vienna School of International Studies (DA).
Learn more about the DA and its programmes at https://www.da-vienna.ac.at.
#diplomacymatters
Partner:
Austrian Research Association (ÖFG): https://www.oefg.at/
Photo: © Alice Cheung auf Pixabay
