The Critical Issues Forum (CIF) is a unique program of project-based education facilitated by the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California. The CIF program is designed to promote awareness of nonproliferation and disarmament issues and develop critical thinking skills among high school students from around the world, including the United States, Japan, and Russia, through educational outreach activities. CIF develops appreciation and understanding of different national and cultural perspectives on complex but vital international security issues.

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CURRENT PROJECT

Join us for the first Speaker Series of the 2021-2022 Academic year!

Register here! (click to enlarge flyer)

RECENT PROJECTS

The Online 2021 Spring Student Conference was a great success! 

NEW!!! Read Conference Report

Video Message from Izumi Nakamitsu, United Nations Under-Secretary General and High Representative of Disarmament Affairs

With keynote speaker the former Governor of California, Edmund G. (Jerry) Brown Jr.!

For more information about the conference, take a look at this booklet:

IMPORTANT NOTICE
Due to the global pandemic COVID-19, CIF has decided to go online for 2020-2021 project activities, including 2021 Spring Conference.

The Third Speaker Series report has been posted!

Read the Report of the 2nd CIF SPEAKER SERIES!

Visit the CIF Speaker Series Page

 

 

                   OUR CONFERENCE SUBMISSIONS ARE IN ! 

                    Click HERE to view our students’ work for this year

Please read this essay by Masako Toki, CIF Project Manager, on the importance of disarmament education for young generations.

Izumi Nakamitsu, United Nations Under-Secretary General and High Representative of Disarmament Affairs, sent the following video message to the 2020 CIF participants. Although the in-person conference has been cancelled, her message to the future nonproliferation and disarmament leaders remains relevant to the work of our teachers and students, especially amidst this challenging global situation. 

If you have any further questions or concerns about this year’s CIF conference, feel free to contact us!  

RECENT PROJECT: 

View the 2019 CIF Student Conference Report!

Highlights from Recent Years
 

MORE ON PAST PROJECTS

 

DIRECTORIES 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This year’s Critical Issues Forum is supported by the SAGA Foundation, and the Tom and Sarah Pattison Fund. The Project was also supported by the United States – Japan Foundation between 2012 and 2018.

Copyright © 2018 James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies (CNS). All rights reserved.