On April 15th, 2023, high school students from all around the world came together and participated in Critical Issues Forum’s Spring Conference to discuss our passion for nuclear disarmament. Before the Spring Conference, Ms. Toki encouraged students to create projects that match the theme for this year: nuclear weapons and intersectionality. With much effort and dedication, students shared their project ideas and possible solutions for nuclear disarmament, abolition, and non-proliferation at the CIF conference.

The Spring Conference first began with the experience of several student participants, explaining the challenges and steps of their projects. The students spoke about the value of peace and building a bridge of opportunity through engaging in discussions. One student even led the group through a 30-second moment of silence to honor and pray for victims of nuclear violence. Others made podcasts in an effort to spread the knowledge of nuclear disarmament in a conversational and accessible way.

Afterward, Ms. Monalisa Hazarika, a member of Youth4Disarmament’s Leaders4Tomorrow, helped moderate the discussions among the students and various CIF alumni. Throughout the meeting, students were encouraged to ask thoughtful questions to the CIF alumni, and the alumni thoroughly answered the questions. One question we asked was about the challenges and obstacles they faced when advocating for this cause. One alumni stated that his main complication stemmed from a lack of hope. Often times the work he puts in for nuclear disarmament feels like a “tiny drop” amidst an ocean of resistance. However, meetings like the CIF Spring Conference inspire expose him to the passions of young students and bring him hope once again.

The third part of the Spring Conference surrounds the story of Dr. Togzhan Kassenova and her meaningful contribution to the anti-nuclear testing movement in Kazakhstan. Included in the CIF conference, Dr. Togzhan Kassenova gave a presentation about the tragic events that happened in Kazakhstan because of the Soviet Union’s nuclear testing. Through her kind and warm personality, Dr. Kassenova was able to attain personal experiences from various Kazakhstani residents living near the nuclear testing sites. Dr. Kassenova describes, “Some people I met were only 6 months old with 6 instead of 5 fingers on their hand. Children and women were plagued with blood diseases and cancers…some people's hair fell onto their pillow all at once. The soldiers from the Soviet Union were told to prohibit doctors from giving true diagnoses and discussion about the testing to their patients.” The radioactive fallout and radiation from the nuclear tests continue to harm Kazakhstani citizens today, and people and children are still paying the price.

After hearing the horrifying stories of the Kazakhstani people, both of us knew we needed to change the dangerous and inhumane testing all over the world. Given the wonderful opportunity to ask Dr. Kassenova a question, we passionately asked for advice on how young people can make meaningful contributions to disarmament. Dr. Kassenova answered by saying we should educate ourselves more about nuclear disarmament and constantly read more resources to expand our knowledge. In addition, she told us to learn more languages and cultures. In this way, we have the ability to interact with other people facing/advocating for these issues and create a global approach to abolishing nuclear weapons. As teenagers with a burning desire to abolish nuclear weapons, we promise to fulfill Dr. Kassenova’s wishes and follow her advice.

Throughout this heartening and meaningful experience, we were so inspired by all the wonderful speakers, encouraging alumni, and passionate teens. CIF’s spring conference has given us the greatest opportunity to educate ourselves about this critical issue and how we can be a part of the solution to abolish nuclear weapons.