Rise up, take action,
and share your voice!
Reverse The Trend amplifies the voices of young people, primarily coming from frontline communities, who have been directly affected by nuclear weapons and climate change.
This initiative embraces an interdisciplinary perspective on critical issues related to international peace and security and climate activism.
Youth Forum in Kazakhstan
From the Pacific to the Steppes: Addressing Nuclear Sins and Advancing Nuclear Justice
On August 29th, 2024, the International Day Against Nuclear Tests, we hosted this forum with the Steppe Organization for Peace (STOP) and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Foundation Kazakhstan in Astana, Kazakhstan. This forum provided an opportunity for youth from impacted communities to discuss the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons and lay the foundation for an international network. Participants included survivors of nuclear weapons, activists from Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Marshall Islands South Korea, and the Solomon Islands. The participants presented a youth declaration to Kazakhstan and Kiribati, the Co-Chairs of Victim Assistance, Environmental Remediation, International Cooperation and Assistance.
The forum was held in connection with the Coordination Committee meeting of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and closely associated with the Nuclear Survivors Forum organized by the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), in partnership with STOP, Center for International Security and Peace (CISP), and Peace Boat.
We are very grateful to the Telemachus Foundation to Empower the Poor and End War, The Prospect Hill Foundation, Joanne Dufour and James Manista for supporting this youth forum.
NAPF and RTT’s Youth Activities at
The 2024 NPT PrepCom
The 2024 NPT PrepCom was held in Geneva, Switzerland from 22 July to August 2 and was chaired by Kazakhstan.
The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation and its youth initiative, Reverse The Trend brought a large youth delegation. Our dedicated youth activists successfully organized side-events on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons and legacy of nuclear weapons. We also organized an impactful art exhibit featuring paintings by frontline communities from the Pacific, delivered an international youth statement, and met with key states, including Ireland, Kazakhstan, Mexico, and the United States of America.
We would also like to thank the Permanent Missions of Kiribati and Kazakhstan and the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies for supporting our official side events to the 2024 NPT PrepCom.
NAPF and RTT’s Youth Activities at the 2MSP
The Second Meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (2MSP) was held from November 27 to December 1, 2023 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation and its youth initiative, Reverse The Trend brought a large youth delegation. Our dedicated youth activists successfully orchestrated side-events with participating States, curated an impactful art gallery featuring paintings by frontline communities from the Pacific, and organized a captivating cultural performance by i-Kiribati youth. Additionally, we facilitated a comprehensive youth orientation session hosted at the Mission of Ireland.
We are also thrilled that several of our youth campaigners delivered statements at the 2MSP.
We are committed to providing avenues for young people to organize and express themselves.
We are very grateful to our funders, The Prospect Hill Foundation, Ploughshares Foundation, RSF Finance Fund, Chris Hormel, Joanne Dufour, and our many partners, the Marshallese Educational Initiative, Peace Boat US and more for supporting and co-sponsoring our events!
We would also like to thank the Permanent Mission of Ireland for hosting our youth orientation. Special thanks to the Permanent Missions of Kazakhstan, Kiribati, and Thailand for co-sponsoring our official side events to the 2MSP.
RTT Youth Testimonials
Nuclear abolition is the only way to eliminate nuclear risk.
"Reflecting on Nuclear Ban Week, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Second Meeting of State Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) at UN headquarters in New York. It’s a true honor to serve as a youth representative for this significant cause.
I extend my sincere gratitude to Reverse The Trend for making this experience possible and amplifying youth voices at the table.”
- Nistha Shrestha, Howard University
Opportunity to Attend the United Nations
“This past fall was my first time at the UN General Assembly. I cannot say what a great honor it was to be sitting in observance of this august body: a very different experience to seeing it on TV.
My thanks go to Reverse The Trend for providing me this one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have this experience.”
- Jorge Juan Legarda Zagora, New York University
On Speaking at the Second Meeting of States Parties
“A full circle moment for me today and an absolute honor and privilege to have been selected to speak on part of civil society representing Reverse the Trend and on youth engagement and nuclear disarmament at the United Nations' Second Meeting of States Parties. Thank you to my wonderful colleagues for the never ending support.
Middle school me probably wouldn’t have believed it, high school me would have been relieved that her efforts paid off, but currently I’m elated and in shock. Forever grateful for this!“
- Stella Dean Rose, Fordham University
What We’ve Got
The Toolkit
The Empowerment and Advocacy Toolkit provides a concise overview about the relationship between nuclear weapons, climate, fighting the patriarchy, and how you can become involved in the movement.
The Curriculum
With 28 lessons and supporting resources, this curriculum is a comprehensive overview of nuclear disarmament affairs, international law, and environmental affairs.
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The Docuseries
A series of creative workshops for youth and students to transform their stories about nuclear weapons legacies and environmental stewardship into artworks that can be shared with the nuclear policy and environmental fields.
Featured Posts
The Reverse the Trend Forum
The Reverse the Trend forum is a private, virtual messaging space for interested young scholars and activists around the world to connect with one another and discuss both climate and nuclear issues.
