Public Lecture - LAW not War: A Nobel Effort - with Alyn Ware

A conversation with University of Waikato Alum - Alyn Ware, born in Tauranga and now based in Prague.

On 27 January 2026, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists set the hands of the ‘Doomsday Clock’ to 85 Seconds to Midnight, indicating how close humanity is coming to a civilizational catastrophe from climate change, nuclear war or a global war triggered by rising authoritarianism, militarism and acts of aggression.

2026 is also the 125th anniversary of the first Nobel Peace Prize, awarded jointly to Henri Dunant, who established the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) and Frédéric Passy, who was instrumental in establishing the world’s first international court.

Their vision and successes, during a time in history that was as rife with war as today, gives hope for the future, if middle power countries like New Zealand remain strong in supporting the United Nations and international law.

Alyn Ware, co-founder of the LAW not War (Legal Alternatives to War) initiative, will discuss key initiatives to prevent war, promote peace and strengthen the United Nations, and how New Zealand can support.

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