By Christian N. Ciobanu | Project Leader
Dear Donors,
We would like to thank you for supporting Reverse The Trend: Save Our People, Save Our Planet.
Since our last report, we have a ton of updates to share with you about our docuseries, youth engagement, collaboration with Marshallese youth, and a preview of our future events.
Docuseries
The first episode of our docuseries is nearly ready. Catherine Killough, an independent artist, and Lovely Umayam of Bombshelltoe and RTT created a teaser for the first episode of the docuseries. This episode is centered on "A Journey Home," a community poem by a group of Marshallese youth. The episode will premiere in Vienna, Austria.
Youth Engagement
Now we have youth coordinators from the Pacific region, Francophone region, Korea, Japan, South Asia, and Canada. These youth coordinators have been conducting outreach to regional youth and organizing activities. For instance, RTT Pacific youth activists convened a conference on the crisis of nuclear dumping in the Pacific and recently produced a climate justice statement.
In addition, RTT co-drafted the 2021 Youth Statement to the UN General Assembly's First Committee.
Collaborating with Marshallese Youth
On November 2, in collaboration with the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation, the Prospect Hill Foundation, James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies, and the Marshallese Educational Initiative, Reverse the Trend: Save Our People, Save Our Planet hosted “Youth Initiative to Reverse The Trend of Existential Threats” at the Yale Club in New York City. The event focused on nuclear disarmament & nonproliferation education and expressed the significance of providing avenues for young people, especially from communities affected by nuclear weapons & climate change, to voice their views and those of their communities in the policy arena.
Speakers included: Christian N. Ciobanu of NAPF and RTT; Soo Hyun Kim, UNODA's focal point for youth engagement; H.E. Ambassador Maritza Chan, Deputy Permanent Representative of Costa Rica H.E. Ambassador Alexander Marschik, Permanent Representative of Austria to the UN; H.E. Ambassador Amatlain Kabua, Permanent Representative of the Marshall Islands; Dr. Ivana Hughes, Director of K=1 Project, Center for Nuclear Studies at Columbia University; Benetick Kabua Maddison, Project Specialist for Youth, Climate and Nuclear Issues of the Marshallese Educational Initiative; Jeremiah Williams and Taylor Leigh Magnus of Pace University; and Dr. Kathleen Sullivan, Director of Hibakusha Stories.
Following the event, we went to Washington D.C., where Christian N. Ciobanu of NAPF and RTT; Danielle Samler of LCNP and RTT; Marcina Langrine, Dr. April L. Brown and Benetick Kabua Maddison of MEI delivered presentations about RTT and the legacy of nuclear testing in the Marshall Islands to students at Gonzaga College High School.
Future Activities
In addition, RTT Korea, RTT Japan, and RTT South Asia have started to plan a conference on the twin existential threats of nuclear weapons and climate change. This event will take place in mid-December.
Further, we are planning an event with members of RTT Canada on the dangers of the nuclear fuel cycle, which will be held on the margins of the 2022 NPT Review Conference. We are also planning to launch a special zine for First Nations youth and activists in Canada. Moreover, the coordinators of RTT Canada are working on a youth guide about the ICAN Cities Appeal.
We also preparing for the 1st Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. We would like to bring a delegation of youth, especially from the Pacific region, to Vienna, Austria. The youth delegation will share their perspectives on the positive obligations, including victim assistance, environmental remediation, international cooperation, and assistance, to diplomats. It is imperative for their voices to be heard at this meeting.
Overall, we are excited about the progress of RTT and continuing this journey with you. Therefore, we would appreciate it if you could continue to support RTT, especially on Giving Tuesday.
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