OUR WORK

On 6 August 2022, the seventy-seventh anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, the UN Secretary-General António Guterres met with youth leaders to hear their innovative ideas and perspectives for advancing nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.

Six young activists from Japan spoke with the Secretary-General about their experiences working in the field of disarmament, current obstacles for achieving a world free of nuclear weapons and the role of young people as the ultimate force for change.

As we approach the 77th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the opportunities to hear first-hand testimony from the survivors - the Hibakusha - become fewer and fewer. With time marching on, it is imperative to engage and educate the next generation on the stories of the Hibakusha - to preserve their memories and to take on their goal of achieving a world free of nuclear weapons.

#StepUp4Disarmament is back!

Following the success of last year’s initiative, #Youth4Disarmament and its collaborating partners are calling on young people to #StepUp4Disarmament by either completing a distance of 8.29 kilometres or tracking 10.9k steps, an approximate equivalent, to raise awareness of the International Day against Nuclear Tests, on 29 August 2022, and its cause to ban nuclear tests. 

The campaign aims to raise awareness of the devastating health consequences of nuclear testing through an emphasis on physical activity, recognizing that sport plays a crucial role for many young people across the world.

To commemorate World Youth Skills Day 2022, #Youth4Disarmament will highlight youth-led activities to engage, educate and empower young people in disarmament.

Young advocates, leaders and practitioners are invited to provide information on events and initiatives conducted to engage youth and what inspired them to act by filling out the dedicated webform.

The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs has opened for applications a number of internship opportunities below for New York, Geneva and Kathmandu.

For information on how to apply, go to the Application Process page. To read about recent changes to the application process, click here. More information is available on how to create your application and the UN Internship Programme.

On 11 May 2022, staff members from the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) met with students from Falu Frigymnasium, a school based in Sweden, to discuss the work of the United Nations and ways for young people to get involved in the disarmament field.

The briefing formed part of the group’s in-person study trip to the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Students met with Ms. Soo Hyun Kim, Acting Director of the UN Regional Centre for Peace and Disarmament in Asia and the Pacific & #Youth4Disarmament Lead, Ms. Claudia Garcia Guiza, Political Affairs Officer, and Ms. Frida Thomassen, Associate Political Affairs Officer.

On 24 May 2018, the United Nations Secretary-General published his Agenda for Disarmament, aiming to set our world on a path towards sustainable peace and security for all. To mark the fourth anniversary of Securing Our Common Future, the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs is launching the Pitching Peace Youth Music Challenge, inviting young people to express their passion for peace through music. 

On 30 April 2022, five representatives of the #Youth4Disarmament initiative participated in a panel discussion to highlight how the United Nations is engaging, educating, and empowering young people in building a better and safer future for all.

On 19 April 2022, UN Youth Champion for Disarmament, Naomi Ekpoki, participated in the SDG 5 Thematic Session on “Generation Equality: Building Back Better with Young Women and Girls at the Centre”.

The session formed part of the 2022 ECOSOC Youth Forum, which this year addressed the theme of “Building back better from COVID- 19 while advancing the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda.” As an annual initiative, the ECOSOC Youth Forum provides a key platform for young people to contribute to policy discussions at the United Nations through their collective ideas, solutions, and innovations.

The High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu, provided the following comments on her Twitter page.

Ukraine made the right decision in 1994 to completely denuclearize for its own & our collective security. Arguments that a nuclear Ukraine would be safer today are fallacies. Nuclear weapons do not make anyone safer. In fact, nuclear weapons pose an existential threat to all.

Ms. Soo Hyun Kim, a Political Affairs Officer leading Youth for Disarmament Initiative in the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) is joined by two special guests Jok Abraham Thon from South Sudan and Gail Prensky from Washington D.C. sharing their stories of making an impact in the world by changing minds from “bullets to books”.

This podcast is being released during the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence Campaign. This year’s theme is “Be the Change”, aiming to inspire people to make a difference in their communities.

The United Nations General Assembly declared 2021 the “International Year of Peace and Trust”. It is also the first year of the Decade of Action to usher in ambitious steps to deliver on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Against this backdrop, the Office for Disarmament Affairs is launching the “What if — Spesterra” Youth Video Challenge to stimulate young people’s interest and knowledge about the vital way disarmament contributes to a safer, more secure and sustainable world for all. The challenge was launched on World Arts Day, on 15 April 2021, and closed for submissions on International Youth Day, 12 August 2021.

Con el fin de celebrar el 2do aniversario de la resolución 74/64 de la ONU , la primera resolución sobre la Juventud, el Desarme y la No Proliferación, la iniciativa #Youth4Disarmament ha lanzado la Campaña #YouthInAction para el Desarme con el apoyo de los siguientes socios colaboradores: la Misión Permanente de la República de Corea ante las Naciones Unidas, Reverse the Trend, Youth Fusion, y la Red Internacional de Acción Contra las Armas Ligeras (IANSA).

To mark the 2nd anniversary of UN resolution 74/64, the first on Youth, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation, the #Youth4Disarmament initiative has launched the #YouthInAction for Disarmament Campaign with support from collaborating partners the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations, Reverse the Trend, Youth Fusion, and the International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA).

On 22 September 2021, the #Youth4Disarmament Team discussed youth engagement in disarmament with the students of Dr. Matthew Bolton, Director of International Disarmament Institute of Pace University, during a virtual seminar.

Ms. Soo Hyun Kim, Political Affairs Officer, and Ms. Marykate Monaghan, Youth Outreach Consultant, spoke with undergraduate students about the approaches, activities and projects of the #Youth4Disarmament initiative.

On 21 September 2021, the #Youth4Disarmament initiative held a virtual workshop with entrants of the “What If - Spesterra” Youth Video Challenge to mark the International Day of Peace.

On 29 August 2021, young people from around the world participated in the #StepUp4Disarmament Youth Campaign to commemorate the International Day Against Nuclear Tests and the 30th anniversary of the closure of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site in Kazakhstan.

On 12 August 2021, International Youth Day, UN Youth Champions for Disarmament delivered remarks to the formal plenary of the Conference on Disarmament during a dedicated session on Youth and Disarmament.

The dedicated session on youth and disarmament marks a significant milestone, inviting youth voices into the Conference on Disarmament’s discussions for the first time. The plenary meeting was a joint effort by Canada as the President of the Conference on Disarmament and its Member States to facilitate inclusive and meaningful participation of youth in inter-governmental processes.

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the closure of the Semipalatinsk nuclear test site on August 29, 1991. On 2 December 2009, the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly declared 29 August the International Day against Nuclear Tests by unanimously adopting resolution 64/35.

On 30 June 2021, the participants of the Youth Forum on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation adopted the Seoul Youth Declaration for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation, containing their recommendations for Securing Our Common Future.

On 8 April 2021, UN Youth Champion for Disarmament Dilan Ezgi Koç delivered remarks at the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Youth Forum.

The ECOSOC Youth Forum forms a unique platform for young people, Member States and partners to discuss the issues most important to young people today and for youth to share their vision and actions on implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. 

Tuesday, March 23rd, will mark the 1-year anniversary of UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ appeal for a global ceasefire. This presents a moment to take stock of where we are and what is needed to promote peace, security and development and a better world for all.

The newsletter highlights a collection of materials produced by the #Youth4Disarmament initiative and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs over the past few months to promote meaningful and inclusive participation and empowerment of youth on disarmament and non-proliferation issues. This includes spotlight stories produced by our #Youth4Disarmament members, the latest updates from our Youth Champions for Disarmament and information on the events that have taken place over the fall and winter period.

Such resources remind us that extraordinary things are happening. The Open Minds Project helps you find them.

In the latest UNODA Disarmament Today podcast, we are celebrating and commemorating a range of milestones that have both advanced the role of young people in disarmament, and opened opportunities for the youth to make meaningful contributions within the field.

Ms. Marykate Monaghan, an intern with the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA), talks to five youth leaders from a range of different projects and initiatives, working with other young people to act as “the ultimate force for change.” They discuss the steps that they are taking to contribute to disarmament around the globe, and tips, suggestions, and resources for interested listeners to get involved themselves.

The #Youth4Disarmament Initiative has been nominated as one of twelve semi-finalists for a 2020 Billion Acts of Peace Award from more than 8 Million Acts of Peace worldwide for its efforts to engage, educate and empower young people to address international security challenges.

The United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs has advertised the internship opportunities below for New York, Geneva and Vienna. 

For information on how to apply, go to the Application Process page. To read about recent changes to the application process, click here.

• Intern - Information Systems & Communication Technology (JO 143256, New York, JO closes 30 June 2021)

The Implementation Support Unit (ISU) of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) are delighted to open the call for applications to the 2020 – 2021 Biosecurity Diplomacy Workshop for Young Scientists from the Global South. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this 2nd Edition will mainly be held virtually between end November 2020 and mid-2021.

Disarmament is at the heart of the collective security system set out in the United Nations Charter, with its goal to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war”.  In commemoration of the seventy-fifth anniversaries of the establishment of the United Nations and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Office for Disarmament Affairs held the “75 Words for Disarmament Youth Challenge”, which was launched on 12 August, International Youth Day, and was closed on 26 September, the International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons. The challenge was open to young people between the ages of 13 and 29, with three age groups:  13 to 18 years (middle and high school), 19 to 24 years (college and graduate school) and 25 to 29 years (early career professionals).

Today, the #Youth4Disarmament Initiative was featured in the UN Secretary-General’s Annual Report on the Work of the Organisation 2020! The report referred to the initiative’s work in empowering young people with the knowledge, skills and opportunities to act as a force for change. 

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Disarmament is at the heart of the collective security system set out in the Charter of the United Nations, with its goal to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war”.

Disarmament is at the heart of the collective security system set out in the United Nations Charter, with its goal to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war”.  In commemoration of the seventy-fifth anniversaries of the establishment of the United Nations and the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the Office for Disarmament Affairs is launching the “75 Words for Disarmament Youth Challenge”.  

Today, we served as strong witnesses of the amazing work UNODA is doing to engage more youth in disarmament activities. We were really honoured to have been specially recognised and mentioned as the first group of 10 UN Youth Champions for Disarmament by the High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Ms. Izumi Nakamitsu as she commenced her opening speech at the high level event “The Tenth NPT Review Conference: Youth and the NPT”. This gesture was definitely very encouraging for the entire group to receive such a special welcome at this prestigious event, it also shows that youth are making headway in being part of global decision making with regards to disarmament; this for us is an achievement for the youthful population.