WHO
Honoree: Jayantha DHANAPALA, UN Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs

Featured Speakers:
Jane GOODALL, Ph.D., OCE, Primatologist; Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute
Gillian SORENSEN, UN Assistant Secretary-General
Ambassador Henrik SALANDER (Sweden); Chairman, NPT Prep Comm
Kim CRANSTON, Chair, Global Security Institute
Jonathan GRANOFF, Esq., President of the Global Security Institute

Musical presentation: Peace Is Possible Chorus, Students from Conerly Road School of New Jersey and Colchester Intermediate School of Connecticut

WHAT
The Alan Cranston Peace Award honors visionary leaders who share in Senator Cranston's (1914-2000) conviction that "nuclear weapons are unworthy of civilization" and who, through their efforts, have advanced the opportunities to eliminate the unacceptable dangers posed by nuclear weapons. The Peace Award reflects the spirit and accomplishments of Senator Cranston who, from the time he was warned by Albert Einstein in 1948 of the dangers posed to civilization by nuclear weapons, lived a life of exemplary service and steadfast dedication to the cause of nuclear weapons elimination.

The Global Security Institute was founded by Senator Cranston in order to end the unacceptable risks posed by nuclear weapons. GSI targets influential stakeholders, networks and decision-makers to promote incremental steps that enhance security and lead to the global elimination of nuclear weapons.

WHY
The inaugural Award is presented to Amb. Dhanapala for his more than 30 years of public service, which led to his appointment in 1998 as the head of the Department for Disarmament Affairs. Amb. Dhanapala has been a tireless advocate for the abolition of nuclear weapons, chairing the widely acclaimed Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty Review and Extension Conference in 1995.

Dr. Jane Goodall, who is expected to be appointed the next United Nations Messenger of Peace the same day, and who is a member of the Global Security Institute Board of Advisors, will present the award to Mr. Dhanapala. Dr. Goodall said, "Above all, Alan Cranston dedicated himself to the cause of peace and to the environment. He felt that his work on the environment was the longest lasting, and he saw working on nuclear weapons as the greatest environmental issue. Alan said that 'when you preserve a wild river or a wilderness or a national park, that is forever.' By working to eliminate nuclear weapons, Senator Cranston and Jayantha Dhanapala have both worked to preserve all wild rivers, all wildernesses, and all humanity forever."

Under Amb. Dhanapala's leadership, the UN Department for Disarmament Affairs has endeavored to work with Non-Governmental Organizations, providing an avenue for experts in civil society to engage more deeply with the United Nations on peace and security issues.

Mr. Dhanapala's life-long dedication to global peace and security, and his tangible and significant contributions to preserve and strengthen the international disarmament regime raise a high standard as the first recipient of the Award.

WHERE United Nations, Conference Room 4

WHEN Tuesday, April 16, 2002, 1:15 PM to 2:45 PM

PRESS Press are encouraged to attend. The text of remarks will be posted at the DDA website, www.un.org/depts/dda as well as www.GlobalSecurityInstitute.org