Being more involved with ICAN UK recently, (as Pax Christi’s regular representative) I seized the opportunity to attend a meeting with Melissa Parke, Executive Director of ICAN. Melissa was in London last week for meetings with MPs and made time for a short in‑person meeting with ICAN UK supporters.
Not many were present because of short notice but there was a sufficient variety of people to generate an inspiring round-table discussion.
What could have been not much different from an ordinary meeting of ICAN UK supporters, was transformed by having to introduce ourselves and our projects to Melissa, leader of the global ICAN project to abolish nuclear weapons! The marvellous variety, vision and long-term perseverance of UK campaigning became very apparent.
Having explained my connections with Christian CND and Pax Christi I outlined the ideas and origins of the You Decide nuclear morality flowchart project. I find that the value of the ethical approach in promoting disarmament is now much better understood (probably since the TPNW and its “ethical imperatives…”) so it’s much easier to explain a logical decide-for-yourself approach to resolving the morality of nuclear deterrence. Jude Madubuike, now leader of the project, then went on to explain how it is now established as the You Decide CIC, moving ahead and looking for new resources. We were encouraged by the positive response in this illustrious company.
Melissa briefed us on some latest concerns, and campaign policy. AI now escalates war scenarios: because while final decisions can be reserved for human intervention, many of the inputs to decision will be generated by AI. The New Start Treaty is now lapsed. We have to move the world on from just arms control to disarmament. Nuclear deterrence must be seen for what it is, the ultimate form of terrorism. Meanwhile ICAN is working on a platform that will enable more collaborative work among the ICAN partner organisations. This is work in progress. (We are planning for You Decide to be registered as an ICAN partner organisation.)
A strong theme in discussion was hope. We have to wake people up but avoid alarmist panic and despair. Support for abolition depends on a belief that it can be done.
Indeed it can! Look to the TPNW!
Martin Birdseye
15th February 2026
https://www.icanw.org/melissa_parke
