James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies
Combating the spread of weapons of mass destruction with training & analysis

Monterey Institute Center Renamed James Martin Center For Nonproliferation Studies

MONTEREY, CA, June 28, 2007. The Monterey Institute of International Studies announced the renaming of its internationally renowned Center for Nonproliferation Studies in honor of Dr. James Martin. A generous gift from Dr. Martin provides an endowment for the Center and supports its important training and research programs to curb the spread of weapons of mass destruction. The Center will now be known as "The James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies."

Featured public forum panelists: Amb. Jayantha Dhanapala, Amb. Rüdiger Lüdeking, Dr. James Martin, Dr. William Potter, Amb. Tibor Tóth, Amb. Linton Brooks, Amb. Paul Meyer.

Dr. James Martin is a computer scientist, business leader, author, philosopher, educator, philanthropist, and the founder of the James Martin 21st Century School at Oxford University. In his most recent book, The Meaning of the 21st Century: A Vital Blueprint for Ensuring Our Future, he examines some of the most complex challenges facing mankind, including the threat posed by nuclear weapons.

In its 25th anniversary issue, Computerworld named Dr. Martin as fourth among the 25 individuals who have most influenced the world of computer science because of his seminal work on computer assisted systems engineering (CASE). Dr. Martin was also a Pulitzer Prize nominee for the 1977 book, The Wired Society: A Challenge for Tomorrow.

The new endowment will strengthen the ability of the Center for Nonproliferation Studies to fulfill its mission of training the next generation of nonproliferation specialists and disseminating timely information and analysis on this vitally important subject. The Center is the world's largest nongovernmental organization devoted to curbing the spread of weapons of mass destruction, and is the only organization dedicated exclusively to graduate education and research on nonproliferation issues. It has a staff of more than 45 full-time and 50 part-time personnel, with offices in Monterey, California; Washington, DC; and Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Commenting on Dr. Martin's gift, Dr. Clara Yu, President of the Monterey Institute of International Studies, noted that she "cannot imagine a stronger fit between Dr. Martin's impassioned case for global security...and the mission and direction of the Center for Nonproliferation Studies."

Dr. William C. Potter, Director of the James Martin Center, who founded the original Monterey Institute Center for Nonproliferation Studies in 1989, expressed his deep appreciation for Martin's gift, stating that "James Martin's endowment is gratifying recognition of the importance of the Center's work and will ensure the Center can carry on its important activities well into the future."

The James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies will be affiliated with the James Martin 21st Century School at Oxford University, contributing its perspective on the dangers of weapons of mass destruction to the work of the School in exploring the potential consequences of emerging technologies that could shape the future of mankind.

The renaming of the Center was the featured event during the Monterey Nonproliferation Strategy Group meeting in Monterey. The Strategy Group is an international body of distinguished nonproliferation analysts and veteran policy practitioners that is working to identify creative but practical solutions to pressing proliferation challenges.

Dr. Martin joined the Strategy Group and participated in a public forum entitled "Nuclear Nonproliferation, Regime in Crisis?" Other members of the panel included senior policy makers and experts: Ambassador Paul Meyer, Canadian Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament; Ambassador Linton Brooks, former Under Secretary of Energy for Nuclear Security; Ambassador Jayantha Dhanapala, former United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Disarmament Affairs; Ambassador Rüdiger Lüdeking, Deputy Commissioner of the Federal Government for Disarmament and Arms Control, Federal Foreign Office, Germany; and Ambassador Tibor Tóth, Executive Secretary, Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organization. Dr. William Potter moderated the discussion.

Asked to comment on the work of the Center, Strategy Group member Jayantha Dhanapala declared: "The James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies continues to be an undisputed international center of excellence in its field. It is at the forefront of research on all issues related to nuclear weapons in terms of policy and ongoing diplomatic negotiations while training new generations of students from a wide variety of countries."

Monterey Nonproliferation Strategy Group in session, June 28, 2007.

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