Youth4Disarmament
What is the Youth4Disarmament Initiative?
It is a youth outreach initiative established in 2019 by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) to connect geographically diverse young people with experts to learn about current international security challenges, the work of the United Nations and how to actively participate.
Recognizing the importance of young people to bring about change, UNODA launched its Youth4Disarmament Initiative (#Youth4Disarmament) in 2019 to engage, educate and empower young people with the aim of facilitating their meaningful and inclusive participation in the field of disarmament and non-proliferation.
By placing youth engagement and empowerment at the core of its disarmament education efforts, UNODA aims to support the Secretary-General’s recommendation to improve youth access to technical support and capacity-building while providing space for their participation.
UNODA is accomplishing this initiative through:
- a conversation series on issues related to disarmament;
- a dedicated digital platform, Youth4Disarmament.org;
- contests;
- other outreach initiatives.
In addition, UNODA runs the “UN Youth Champions for Disarmament” project and, in partnership with Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs (DPPA), a ‘Steering Committee’ of young leaders in Northeast Asia.
The “#Youth4Disarmament” outreach initiative was recognized as the Best Coalition Building Project of 2020 by the Billion Acts of Peace Award, an activity of the Peace Jam Foundation and fourteen Nobel Peace Prize winners.
Through the #Youth4Disarmament initiative, the Office for Disarmament Affairs will continue to connect geographically diverse young people with experts to learn about current international security challenges, the work of the United Nations and how to actively participate. The Office aims to impart knowledge and skills to young people and empower them to make their contribution to disarmament and sustaining peace as national and world citizens.