Louis Reitmann Chats Youth and Disarmament with High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu

VCDNP Research Associate Louis Reitmann appeared on an episode of the Disarmament Today podcast by the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA). Together with High Representative Izumi Nakamitsu and multi award-winning, young filmmaker Kasha Slavner, he discussed what is next for youth activism in disarmament. Rebecca Jovin, Head of the UNODA Vienna Office, moderated the panel.

Louis stressed that the next generation is remarkably well educated, organised, and ready to take on the responsibility of making big, consequential decisions to preserve the future of the planet. He called on the UN and all Member States to not only consult young people in their policy and decision making processes, but also to open higher-level jobs in policy and diplomacy to younger people.

At the same time, he Young people are under much pressure trying to build their lives in more insecure and unequal societies. While he believes in his generation’s ability to realise global disarmament with time, Louis said that there already are decisionmakers in office today who have the power and responsibility to make disarmament progress.

“This isn’t for young people to fix. But if other generations fail to achieve disarmament, we will.”

Speaking about inclusion and diversity in disarmament, Louis highlighted the extraordinary work of queer people as diplomats, researchers, and activists. Creating authentic lives for themselves despite the violence, hate, and disenfranchisement they face, queer people know about overcoming challenges that seem insurmountable. Louis is hoping for more queer people to become active and visible in the field.

He added that including people from diverse backgrounds in positions of authority must not stop at “visual” representation. Women, people of colour, queer people, and other marginalised groups must be allowed to infuse decision making on security issues with their progressive perspectives. Inclusion is only meaningful when it can result in consequential policy change, Louis concluded.

This episode also marked a milestone in the #Leaders4Tomorrow programme, part of UNODA’s #youth4disarmament initiative. As #Leaders4Tomorrow, Louis Reitmann and Kasha Slavner have learnt how disarmament intersects with other global challenges, such as gender inequality and climate change, and networked with emerging disarmament experts and activists worldwide. In the next phase, the #Leaders4Tomorrow will develop their own projects to engage young people in disarmament, and present their ideas at the UN General Assembly First Committee in October 2022.