Youth Today

Youth Speech delivered by Barbara Streibl and Fatih Oezcan, Ban All Nukes generation Ambassador Cabactulan, distinguished delegates, ladies and gentlemen Today at this historic NPT conference more youth are present than ever before. We came from all over the world to this year's Review Conference with a great notion of hope. This is a message we want to spread and gain momentum. We believe it is crucial that this positive and enthusiastic atmosphere will be maintained and transformed into a positive outcome. At this Conference we discuss disarmament, defence, deterrence, non-proliferation, sovereignty, security doctrines, technical issues and more. The main reason we pursue these negotiations is our common objective of security. At the heart of this security, which our governments work so hard to protect, is something even more important: life. We must ask ourselves: How can we best preserve and protect all life on this planet? What do we need to ensure the true fulfilment of the human rights our governments have committed themselves to? We would like to give you an impression of what we are talking about when we talk about life. Life is what matters. Our families and friends should be our motivation to abolish a weapon that could destroy their lives. We asked young people from around the world what they love in their lives. Today we have the pleasure to present you some of their answers. I love going to my football academy and scoring goals, I love my family and having dinner with them, and many more things - Ishaan Jha, 15 years from India I love my family. No matter what happens, they love me for nothing and I feel a special bond between us. I love them as well as I thank them. - Sumi Iyo, 25 years from Japan I love to cut, to glue and to draw. I love making things for my mum. – Gianna Sauer, 4 years from Germany What type of security do we need, to ensure the ultimate aim: preserving life? We know the question of security is difficult, there is a multitude of