Dr Lassina Zerbo (front right) with Dr. Bill Potter (front, left) at the opening session of the 2015 NPT Review Simulation class.
Dr. Lassina Zerbo, executive secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty Organization, visited the Monterey Institute’s James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS) on September 18-19. While in Monterey, he participated in the opening session of the popular semester-long course conducted by CNS Director William Potter, in which students simulate negotiations between nations at the NPT Review Conference.
As simulations go, it doesn’t get much more realistic than having the actual actors participate. Said Shant Krikorian (MANPTS ’15), graduate student in the Nonproliferation and Terrorism Studies graduate degree program, “Professor Zerbo's openness and enthusiasm about the CTBT was contagious, and his energy was inspiring, reminding so many of us why we have chosen to launch careers in nonproliferation.”
Fellow student Ruby Russell (MANPTS ’16) adds that what struck her most about Dr. Zerbo’s talk was “his emphasis on the role of education in securing the future ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).” He described this readiness to educate the younger generation and establish a dialogue between the experts of today and leaders of tomorrow as “central to achieving not only CTBT ratification, but ultimately a world free of nuclear weapons.”