In addition to the diplomats and experts who attended the June 13 Ministerial Meeting in Vienna, the meeting also featured participation by a new CTBTO Initiative to engage youth called the "CTBTO Youth Group."
Members of this youth group took the opportunity at the "CTBT@20: The Way Forward - The Role of Civil Society" panel discussion to present statements and ideas on how to spur action on the CTBT, either by proposing frameworks for dialogue between nations, or by painting a picture of a world in 20 years in which the CTBT is in force.
The work of these youth group members culminated in a special report published by the CTBTO, which includes the members' statements at the June meeting, a summary of their meeting with members of the Group of Eminent Persons, and a letter from Executive Secretary Lassina Zerbo.
Zerbo, who launched the CTBTO Youth Group initiative at the "Science and Diplomacy for Peace and Security: the CTBT@20" symposium in January, said in the report:
I am convinced that youth engagement is essential for achieving real progress on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament measures. Investing in education at different levels has to be a fundamental part of the solution, and should be undertaken in an inclusive and collaborative way.
For more information on the CTBTO Youth Group and how interested parties can apply to become a member, click here.