Dear Friends,

I had the honor of delivering the 4^th FW de Klerk Annual Memorial Lecture in Cape Town, South Africa last week.

I was privileged to work with former South African President FW de Klerk at numerous Summits of Nobel Peace Laureates, an organization founded by President Mikhail Gorbachev which convenes Peace Laureates at extraordinary conferences on a regular basis and with which I am honored to serve as its Representative to the United Nations. I draw your attention to the Final Declarations, which contain expressions of collective wisdom and practicality. President de Klerk’s contributions were always substantive, terse, and clear.

We traveled together on a delegation hosted by Bahrain which the Global Security Institute helped coordinate. He demonstrated courage in his work to help end apartheid in South Africa and I observed his humility, and warmth wherever he went.

Ambassador Thomas Graham, a member of GSI’s Board of Directors was instrumental in the creation and signing of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty as the lead diplomat for the United States on the issue. His historic analysis is essential reading for anyone serious about understanding its creation and importance. The Treaty’s relationship to the stability of the nonproliferation regime and the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty is the focus of an in-depth, but short, study by  the European Leadership Network.

President Clinton’s characterization of the Treaty is succinct and accurate… “I was honored to be the first of 146 leaders to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, our commitment to end all nuclear tests for all time — the longest-sought, hardest-fought prize in the history of arms control. It will help to prevent the nuclear powers from developing more advanced and more dangerous weapons. It will limit the possibilities for other states to acquire such devices… Our common goal should be to enter the CTBT into force as soon as possible, and I ask for all of you to support that goal.” Note also quotes from Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy on the subject.

You might also enjoy my thoughts regarding the recent apparent order by President Trump to resume nuclear testing and U.S. votes on this subject in the UN General Assembly, addressed in a syndicated article by the Inter Press Service. My quotes are outstanding in their unique grammatical awkwardness, unnecessary loquaciousness, exemplifying an overly pedantic series of run-on sentences, which in summary strongly urge against the resumption of testing and emphasize the need for cooperation to address an abundance of threats to us all.

On 21 November, I will address the third Annual Digital Power of Women Conference. This distinguished event powerfully advances much-needed gender balance. I hope you can join virtually.

GSI Advisory Board Member Honorable Douglas Roche’s very personal article Creative Dissent: A Politician’s Struggle for Peace merits a serious quiet read. It is inspiring because it reveals the character of one of the most effective, wise, and passionate advocates for nuclear disarmament and human security of our time.

With Respect,

Jonathan Granoff,

President, Global Security Institute

EVENTS

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The post GSI Newsletter: The legacy of FW de Klerk, creative dissent, the digital power of women appeared first on Good News!.

Lt. Col. David Richardson and Tomaczek Bednarek.
Photo credit: Jeff Smith.

Additional co-hosts included founders of Global Stress Initiative (GSI) and Stand for the Troops (SFTT), Lorraine Silvetz, M.S.W. and Eilhys England Hackworth respectively and award winning actress and star of the upcoming feature film, “Ivy and Mistletoe,” Julianne Michelle.

Rita Cosby and George Wayne.
Photo Credit: Jeff Smith.

Friends and supporters of GSI and SFTT, who provide innovative treatment for service members and veterans, were present for the special event.

Lorraine Silvetz, Barbara Meister Bender, Jane Pontarelli.
Photo credit: The Stewardship Report.

Among the packed house of attendees was a cohort of media heavyweights including Wall Street Journal Editor James Taranto, legendary Financial Times columnist John Dizard and Vanity Fair contributing writer George Gurley.

Julianne Michelle and Chynna Tian. Photo credit: Rose Billings.

Other notable attendees included: Will Rockefeller, Whitney Wetherill Stroh  and film producers, Joycelyn Engle, Count Joseph DiPalma, Noel Ashman and Bob Kravitz.

Lorraine Silvetz, Larry Romano and Julianne Michelle.
Photo credit: Rose Billings.

Eilhys England Hackworth. Photo credit: The Stewardship Report.

Rita Cosby, spokesperson for Global Stress Initiative, states:

I am so proud to align with Global Stress Initiative, Stand for the Troops and Lt. Col Richardson who all do so much to ensure our troops get the necessary help to deal with the unseen wounds of war after they leave combat.

Lorraine Silvetz, Jane Pontarelli, and Robert Silvetz, M.D.
Photo credit: Rose Billings.

The chance to see David Richardson’s paintings in New York drew the creme de la creme of Gotham’s art establishment including gallerists Mark Murray, Cameron Shay, Andrew Miller and high powered collectors such as Brian Frasca and Leslie Barret.

Eleni Kefa, Errol Rappaport, Barbara Meister Bender, Lorraine Silvitz, and
David Schuyler Bender. Photo Credit: Jeff Smith.

They auctioned an original piece by artist, author, and retired marine Lieutenant Colonel David Richardson. The piece in question titled “Muscle Man,” which is acrylic and buck shot on plywood, also serves as the cover art for Lt. Col. Richardson’s debut novel War Story, due to be released by Permuted Press April 16th of this year.

Tomaczek Bednarek, Rita Cosby and Andrew Miller.
Photo credit: Jeff Smith.

Lt. Col. David Richardson also donated proceeds from the auction of his cover art to both GSI and SFTT to fund further treatment for service members and veterans with PTSD and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Danuta Hamlin, Julianne Michelle, Rita Cosby, Glisel Perez, Lorraine Silvetz
and Marjorie Tornatore. Photo credit: Jeff Smith.

Lt Col David Richardson states:

I’m so happy to be able to support my fellow veterans by donating funds for partner foundations, GSI and SFTT who provide individualized transcranial magnetic stimulation (iTMS), a non-invasive treatment ,which is extremely effective in the treatment of P.T.S.D.

Rebecca Scott and Kenneth Pitt.
Photo credit: The Stewardship Report.

Lorraine Silvetz, M.S.W. and her husband, Robert Silvetz, M.D. donated treatment for 100 veterans at their clinic in Virginia between 2017-2018. Their goal is to bring the innovative protocol to the northeast where it is sorely needed.

Lorraine Silvetz and Rita Cosby.
Photo credit: Jeff Smith.

Lorraine states:

Global Stress Initiative is honored by Lt. Col. Richardson’s generous offer of support for our treatment of service members and veterans. GSI donated treatment, utilizing individualized transcranial magnetic stimulation (iTMS), to 100 veterans with 99% reversal of symptoms between 2017-2018. Stand for the Troops is partnering with us to propagate this transformative protocol to as many veterans as possible.

Julianne Michelle, Adele Nino, Rita Cosby, Tomaczek Bednarek, and Jane Sher.
Photo credit: Jeff Smith.

SFTT was founded by the late, great Col. David Hackworth and his widow, Eilhys England Hackworth. Eilhys states:

My late husband Col David “Hack” Hackworth and I founded Stand for the Troops because combat veterans need to be protected, post active duty, with more than lip service. The goal of our non-profit to heal as many veterans with PTSD/TBI as possible, as quickly as possible, so these men and women can once again become active members of their families and society. 

Rita Cosby, Noel Ashman, and Doug Dechert.
Photo Credit: Jeff Smith.

Award winning actress Julianne Michelle states:

I was honored to help support this very important cause, celebrating veterans who sacrifice greatly to protect our freedom and often suffer silently. To join in efforts to address their needs was extremely dear to my heart.

Tomaczek Bednarek, Rita Cosby, Lorraine Silvetz, Jake Freijo, and George Wayne.
Photo credit: Jeff Smith.

For more information on Global Stress Initiative and Stand for the Troops go to www.globalstressinitiative.org and www.sftt.org. 

For more information on Lt. Col. David Richardson’s art go to www.derichardson.com.

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