On 19 February 2026, I participated in the virtual Youth Consultation on Disarmament, a two-hour online event that brought together more than a hundred youth leaders from various youth-led organizations from across the world to exchange ideas, share experiences, and provide recommendations for the Second Independent Progress Study on Youth, Peace and Security. I joined the consultation feeling both excited and curious: to what extent can youth voices truly influence global peace and security policies?
Despite our diverse geographic locations, languages, and contexts and the varying challenges that accompany them, we were united by a shared goal: to strengthen the meaningful integration of youth voices in disarmament efforts and the implementation of the Youth, Peace and Security agenda. From the very beginning, it was clear that this space was not merely a virtual gathering, but a genuine platform for connection and collective influence.
The consultation was organized by the #Youth4Disarmament team of the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, in collaboration with the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Section of the Peacebuilding and Peace Support Office (PBPSO), Peace Boat, and British American Security Information Council (BASIC.) Participants were divided into four thematic breakout groups addressing youth reintegration and disengagement, policy coherence between Youth, Peace and Security and disarmament agendas, strengthening youth participation and partnerships in disarmament, and exploring career pathways for youth in peace, security, and disarmament.
I took part in the breakout group “Bridging Risk to Resilience: Youth Reintegration and Disengagement for Inclusive, Sustainable Peace,” which explored pathways for youth reintegration and disengagement as constructive, non-militarized approaches to building inclusive and sustainable peace. The discussion emphasized the role of education, livelihoods, psychosocial support, and reconciliation in supporting young people’s return to their communities. During this session, we shared insights and experiences grounded in our advocacy and fieldwork.
Within this context, I presented my experience through the International Humanitarian Law and Youth Initiative (IHLYI), highlighting the realities faced by youth in armed conflict settings and the advocacy challenges encountered at both regional and international levels. I also referred to the recent campaign (#YOUTH4ATT), which focused on youth engagement in promoting the universalization and implementation of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT). The campaign achieved a tangible advocacy impact, as its messages and recommendations were reflected in key policy discussions during the Eleventh Conference of States Parties (CSP11) to the ATT.
Notably during the consultation, discussions were interconnected, revealing a coherent pathway for advancing youth engagement in disarmament within the Youth, Peace, and Security agenda. Conversations began by underscoring the importance of policy coherence between Youth, Peace and Security and disarmament frameworks, as well as ensuring that youth participation is meaningful and structurally embedded rather than symbolic. Building on this foundation, discussions shifted towards transforming risk into resilience by supporting youth disengagement and reintegration pathways as entry points for inclusive and sustainable peace.
Additional thematic conversations emphasized the need to institutionalize youth-led participation and partnerships, including collaboration with international organizations, United Nations entities, and donors to ensure long-term impact. Finally, discussions explored concrete pathways and opportunities for early- and mid-career youth advocates in peace, security, and disarmament, enabling them to sustain engagement and transform participation into long-term professional trajectories.
For me, this continuity represented one of the consultation’s most significant outcomes, highlighting that empowering youth in disarmament cannot be achieved through isolated interventions, but rather through an integrated approach linking policy, practice, partnerships, capacity-building, and sustainable opportunities.
Another striking aspect was the diverse perspectives shared throughout the session. Youth contributed experiences from post-conflict environments, advocacy initiatives, and academic research, demonstrating that young people are not passive observers but active actors in processes of change. One particularly powerful takeaway was witnessing how digital engagement can connect voices across borders and create new spaces for participation and influence.
Even within a virtual environment, engagement remained high, with participants actively contributing to polls, discussions, and breakout sessions. Effective facilitation mostly done by the youth themselves ensured that diverse voices were heard, making the experience more inclusive and meaningful.
Youth participants also served as rapporteurs in the closing plenary, presenting summaries from each thematic group discussion, which I supported by facilitating the plenary poll questions and synthesizing key takeaways. I left the consultation feeling inspired and convinced that change becomes possible when youth are provided with genuine space to participate.
Reflecting on this experience, I believe youth engagement in disarmament extends beyond policy documents and formal frameworks; it is fundamentally about building trust, sharing knowledge, and creating spaces where creativity meets responsibility. This consultation ultimately reminded me that every idea matters, and that collaboration among youth worldwide can contribute to building a safer and more peaceful future for all.
Nourhan Moustafa is a legal and policy advisor and lawyer with over eight years of experience in humanitarian disarmament, international humanitarian law, and youth-led advocacy across the MENA region. She is the Founder and Executive Director of the International Humanitarian Law and Youth Initiative (IHLYI) and has worked extensively with UN processes and international organizations to empower youth in supporting global peace and disarmament efforts.