From 50 Years Ago: Research for Peace

A scientific institute to conduct research into the causes and prevention of war with a full-time staff of physical and social scientists is proposed to be established in Canada soon. 

 

The institute has been incorporated as a non-political and non-governmental body for objective study and is headed by internationally known scientists and humanitarians who are convinced that science, which aided mankind to forge the instruments of war, can aid the development of a world at peace…

 

The venture was proposed by Dr Norman Alcock, a Canadian nuclear physicist, who three years ago abandoned a career in industrial research to arouse public interest in the need for research for peace. Directors of the Institute hope that formation of the Canadian Peace Research Institute will inspire people of other countries to establish similar peace research centres in their own countries for the exchange and mutual use of scientific data towards the prevention of nuclear war. 

 

…The directors plan to have 25 full-time scientists working at the Canadian establishment in 1963. They hope that 1,000 scientists will be engaged on war elimination research in institutes in many nations by 1965. 

 

“We go on preparing for war with billions of dollars; while we appropriate pennies for peace research...When man has faced other problems and wanted a solution, he has put intensive effort, money and minds into research; and he usually finds answers. For example, consider the effort which went into conquering polio, making atomic and hydrogen bombs, improving labour-management relations. Organised intellectual effort applied to peace and war could also help us find solutions”. This is the inspiration behind the Peace Research Centre.