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Discover the transformative journeys of 10 young leaders from around the globe in this inspiring collection of opinion pieces by alumni of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) youth programmes. These passionate advocates share how their experiences with UNODA empowered them to turn ideas into action—whether by creating groundbreaking initiatives, publishing influential educational resources, or rallying their communities for meaningful change. Each story reflects a unique perspective, shaped by diverse backgrounds, fields of focus, and ambitions. From tackling pressing global security challenges to reimagining disarmament in their own communities, these youth leaders exemplify the power of education and empowerment in impacting change. This publication is not just a testament to UNODA’s far-reaching influence—it’s a call to action for all who believe in the power of youth to shape a safer and more secure future. With voices as diverse as their accomplishments, …

This publication contains the winning stories of the Republic of Korea-United Nations Sci-fAI Futures Youth Challenge. The challenge is a creative and thought-provoking initiative designed to engage young minds in imagining the future role of artificial intelligence (AI) in international peace and security. Young people from 13 to 29 submitted written or webtoon stories envisioning a fictional world in the year 2145 where AI would have been taken onboard by militaries around the world. Youth authors reflected on how AI could be used in or to prevent armed conflicts, its potential interactions with other emerging technologies, potential risks and positive scenarios in which AI is leveraged for good in the military …

Launched in 2019, the #Youth4Disarmament (Y4D) initiative of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs seeks to engage, educate and empower young people to facilitate their meaningful contribution to disarmament efforts. The “Spotlight Stories” section of the Y4D community website offers a space for young people to share – in their own voices and from their own perspectives – why the work of disarmament is critical to building peace and how they are helping push the field forward. This publication is a compilation of those stories, which reveal hope for a better future and show some of the diverse ways to pursue peace through disarmament in the twenty-first …

This publication speaks to young people by encouraging them to engage in an active and thoughtful way in this important issue for all of humankind. It is full of practical ideas including starting a discussion group, hosting a film screening, or creating an event where students and their friends can become informed, express their opinions and reach out to others on this important subject. It provides a vision to help alleviate violence through awareness raising and taking action. This publication aims to help students become agents for positive social change and a better world for …

This brochure describes the intertwined notions of children's rights and the proliferation of arms from the perspectives of military expenditures, weapons of mass destruction, small arms and landmines. The brochure also contains information on avenues of disarmament action at the UN and useful addresses and websites on related topics. …