We at FLI offer an excited congratulations to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), this year’s winners of the Nobel Peace Prize. We could not be more honored to have had the opportunity to work with ICAN during their campaign to ban nuclear weapons.

Over 70 years have passed since the bombs were first dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but finally, on July 7 of this year, 122 countries came together at the United Nations to establish a treaty outlawing nuclear weapons. Behind the effort was the small, dedicated team at ICAN, led by Beatrice Fihn. They coordinated with hundreds of NGOs in 100 countries to guide a global discussion and build international support for the ban.

In a statement, they said: “By harnessing the power of the people, we have worked to bring an end to the most destructive weapon ever created – the only weapon that poses an existential threat to all humanity.”

There’s still more work to be done to decrease nuclear stockpiles and rid the world of nuclear threats, but this incredible achievement by ICAN provides the hope and inspiration we need to make the world a safer place.

Perhaps most striking, as seen below in many of the comments by FLI members, is how such a small, passionate group was able to make such a huge difference in the world. Congratulations to everyone at ICAN!

Statements by members of FLI:

Anthony Aguirre: “The work of Bea inspiringly shows that a passionate and committed group of people working to make the world safer can actually succeed!”

Ariel Conn: “Fear and tragedy might monopolize the news lately, but behind the scenes, groups like ICAN are changing the world for the better. Bea and her small team represent great hope for the future, and they are truly an inspiration.”

Tucker Davey: “It’s easy to feel hopeless about the nuclear threat, but Bea and the dedicated ICAN team have clearly demonstrated that a small group can make a difference. Passing the nuclear ban treaty is a huge step towards a safer world, and I hope ICAN’s Nobel Prize inspires others to tackle this urgent threat.”

Victoria Krakovna: “Bea’s dedicated efforts to protect humanity from itself are an inspiration to us all.”

Richard Mallah: “Bea and ICAN have shown such dedication in working to curb the ability of a handful of us to kill most of the rest of us.”

Lucas Perry: “For me, Bea and ICAN have beautifully proven and embodied Margaret Mead’s famous quote, ‘Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.’”

David Stanley: “The work taken on by ICAN’s team is often not glamorous, yet they have acted tirelessly for the past 10 years to protect us all from these abhorrent weapons. They are the few to whom so much is owed.”

Max Tegmark: “It’s been an honor and a pleasure collaborating with ICAN, and the attention brought by this Nobel Prize will help the urgently needed efforts to stigmatize the new nuclear arms race.”

Learn more about the treaty here.