French Nuclear Testing in Moruroa, Grassroots Internationalism in Melbourne, and the Transformation of International Cooperation and Disarmament Campaigns in the Pacific

This paper explores the influence of Germaine Greer, an Australian writer and public intellectual, on the International Cooperation and Disarmament campaign in the Pacific during the Cold War era. Greer was a prominent figure of the second-wave feminism movement in the latter half of the 20th century and an activist who actively participated in various conferences and campaigns for a Nuclear-Free Pacific. One of her contributions was organizing the conference held in Fiji in 1975, which aimed to raise awareness about the impacts of nuclear testing and militarization in the Pacific. Additionally, she played a role in the Asia-Pacific Action for Peace conference in 1990, which brought together peace advocates from across the region. From 1975 to 1990, Greer's activism was driven by her passion for social justice and equality and her dedication to the cause of disarmament. She was particularly active against the French nuclear tests in French Polynesia. Greer's personal papers, correspondences, and transcripts of 'Alternative News' 3ZZ weekly broadcasts form the basis of this examination. The analysis reveals how grassroots internationalism emerged in Australia in response to the U.S. and Australian show of military force in the Pacific and the French nuclear testing in the region. The examination of Greer's papers and transcripts provides insight into the ways in which her advocacy for peace and disarmament in the Pacific was shaped by her personal experiences and interactions with other activists. Her unwavering commitment to the cause of disarmament and her efforts to raise awareness about the dangers of nuclear testing and militarization in the Pacific have left a lasting impact on the history of the Pacific region.