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).
Through the challenge, young people around the world were invited to express what disarmament means to them and their communities in 75 words. A total of 198 entries were received.
The Office for Disarmament Affairs is pleased to announce the winners (see www.youth4disarmament.org/news/75words4disarmament-youth-challenge-winners). Their entries are being featured here on our YouTube channel and in our social media accounts throughout the coming days, as we mark Disarmament Week (24 to 31 October).
