About Us
Why?
“More than twenty years after the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, the United States and Russia still account for 95% of the world’s nuclear weapons: around 20,000 nuclear weapons total. Thousands of these weapons are on hair trigger status, meaning they can be fired in very little time, and more rouge states and terrorist organizations are looking to acquire the weapons and materials to make bombs.”
This project is dedicated to the cause of peace and nonproliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD). At the heart of Our Move is the story of the American-Soviet citizen diplomacy movement, including the historic joint peace march in 1987 and other marches like it, which preceded or followed in its steps.
Our Move was established in 2011 in Washington, but the idea for the project goes back at least a decade. Indeed, the principles, events, and accomplishments from which the project draws inspiration go further back in time, and reach across state and national borders. Major elements of the project stem from collaboration among American and former Soviet citizens, who have walked the Walk, and have first-hand experience of participating in citizen diplomacy initiatives.
By helping to share these experiences, we hope to support social connections and knowledge exchange between those who have played a part in the American-Soviet peace movement in the later phases of the Cold War era, and the next generation of engaged citizens and future advocates for peace and WMD nonproliferation.
We hope that sharing the story of this movement will inform and inspire future efforts to curb the proliferation of nuclear weapons through peaceful initiatives and citizen diplomacy. There are many ways to get involved — you never know what a simple contact or partnership might achieve. A better world is indeed possible.
Our Premise
At crucial times in human history any initiative that serves to promote mutual trust and understanding is of great importance. We believe that mutual trust and understanding may be effectively promoted through citizen diplomacy.
Our Mission
To be the best place on the Web for learning about the American-Soviet citizen diplomacy movement. We support citizen diplomacy through electronic publishing and preservation of historical materials, by facilitating collaboration, and by engaging in educational outreach in the name of peace and WMD nonproliferation.
Our Methods
Electronic Publishing — Researching, organizing, and publishing information about the peace movement in the Our Move Archive.
Collaboration — Supporting a network of those with a shared interest in the peace movement.
Outreach — “Walking the talk” through education and public service.
