Over 4000 free audio and video lectures, seminars and teaching resources from Oxford University.
Skip to Content Skip to Navigation

Getting to Zero: Michaelmas Term Seminar Series 2009

Achieving an end-state of "zero" has emerged as an important policy goal for a number of 21st Century challenges. The most prominent example is the "Global Zero" campaign to eliminate nuclear weapons. Yet, in a century of globalization, when the life of every individual is directly affected by a vast network of forces beyond their control, this concept has the power to inspire action on some of the most intractable problems of our time.

# Episode Title Description People Date
6 Creative Commons Global Eradication of Infectious Diseases: Can 'Not Very Much' undermine the goal of 'None at All'? Despite the well-publicised success of global smallpox eradication, 'zero' remains an elusive goal for the majority of vaccine-preventable diseases, making reduced pathogen circulation, or direct protection of the vulnerable more achievable strategies. Jodie McVernon 27 Nov 2009
5 Creative Commons A New Approach to Nuclear Disarmament: Learning from International Humanitarian Law Success Achieving an end-state of "zero" has emerged as an important policy goal for a number of 21st Century challenges. The most prominent example is the "Global Zero" campaign to eliminate nuclear weapons. Patricia Lewis 25 Nov 2009
4 Creative Commons Dealing with doctrines: time to outlaw nuclear weapon use? Achieving an end-state of "zero" has emerged as an important policy goal for a number of 21st Century challenges. The most prominent example is the "Global Zero" campaign to eliminate nuclear weapons. Rebecca Johnson 24 Nov 2009
3 Creative Commons Bottom billion or bottom zero? Policies for international poverty reduction Some developing countries have achieved rapid economic growth and poverty reduction while others have stagnated. This talk will review the determinants of success and the prospects for lagging regions to improve performance and eliminate poverty. Tony Venables 30 Oct 2009
2 Creative Commons Eliminating Nuclear Weapons The Rt Hon Sir Malcolm Rifkind MP on how, in the 21st century, nuclear weapons pose a greater danger than ever before and their possession is less necessary. The time has come to forge agreement on a process of multilateral disarmament. Malcolm Rifkind 28 Oct 2009
1 Creative Commons Zero chance? Aiming for zero in weapons control These seminars were run by the Oxford Martin School (formerly the James Martin 21st Century School) in association with the Oxford Institute for Ethics, Law and Armed Conflict. Richard Price 21 Oct 2009