| Federation Of German Scientists-vdw |
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Since its founding 1959 by Carl Friedrich Von Weizsäcker and further prominent Nuclear scientists, known as Göttinger 18 , who had previously publicly declared their position against the nuclear armament of the German Bundeswehr, the Federation feels constrained to the tradition of responsible science verpflichtet. Within the Federation of German Scientists around 400 natural scientists, humanists and social scientists are convened, so that a broad spectrum of topics can be competently covered. With the outcomes of its work the Federation of German Scientists orients towards an interested public as well as to decision makers on all levels of politics and society. The VDW was in the year 2005/2006 the patron and carrying institution of Potsdam Manifesto ''‚We have to learn to think in a new way’'' and the ''' Potsdam Denkschrift '''. HISTORY AND AIMS VDW was founded in 1959 in Berlin by a group of well-known nuclear scientists including, among others, Carl Friedrich Von Weizsäcker and the Nobel-prizewinners Max Born , Otto Hahn , Werner Heisenberg and Max Von Laue . This group of scientists was almost identical to the “ Göttinger 18 “, who, two years previously, had publicly declared their position against the nuclear armament of the German Bundeswehr . Both the “ Göttinger Erklärung “ and the formation of the VDW were an expression of the new sense of responsibility felt by scientists after the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki . The members of VDW stand in this tradition. They feel committed to taking into consideration the possible military, political and economical implications and possibilities of atomic misuse when carrying out their scientific research and teaching. It is this sense of responsibility which instigates VDW to state its opinion in its annual meetings and interdisciplinary study groups, in its scientific publications and public statements on questions of scientific orientation and technological developments and peace and security politics. VDW's membership lists also include representatives of the humanities and social sciences, so that a large range of topics can be approached at a high level of competence. With the results of its interdisciplinary work the Vereinigung Deutscher Wissenschaftler not only addresses the general public, but also the decision-makers at all levels of politics and society. STATUTES According to its statutes laid down in 1959, VDW aims to
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