Young Voices for Disarmament: The Experience of Júlia Marcon at the Nuclear Politics Summer 2026
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Between June 8 and 12, Júlia Marcon, Communications Director at Dhesarme, participated in the Nuclear Politics Summer Program 2026, organized by the Soka Institute for Global Solutions (SIGS) at Soka University of America (Aliso Viejo, California). Soka University of America is a liberal arts university whose mission is to foster a steady stream of global citizens committed to living contributive lives, based on the values of peace, human rights, and the dignity of life. The university promotes a student-centered education that encourages critical thinking, open dialogue, and diversity.
The Nuclear Politics Summer Program 2026 brought together 15 undergraduate and graduate students from 8 countries (including Pakistan, Italy, Bangladesh, and Argentina) and 10 universities, with the goal of building an international network of young people committed to seeking practical solutions to the challenges related to nuclear weapons. Through lectures, discussion circles, and film discussions, the program sought to critically examine issues of disarmament and non-proliferation from theoretical, legal, and historical perspectives, addressing the main challenges and opportunities for building a world free of nuclear weapons. Throughout the week, participants were encouraged not only to engage with the theoretical content but also to develop action proposals at the local and regional levels, while strengthening leadership, teamwork, and international cooperation skills.
"What I appreciated most about the program were the people and the overall atmosphere. Everyone was incredibly welcoming, supportive, and willing to engage in conversations that were often sensitive and complex, yet necessary. In addition, we had the opportunity to spend the week living on the university campus, which has excellent facilities. This was great because it allowed participants to build a sense of community and get to know each other better."
Reflecting on the most remarkable aspects of the experience, Júlia highlighted the richness of the multicultural environment fostered by the program, making learning a space for valuing differences and diversity:
"Coming from a humanitarian disarmament perspective, it was particularly interesting to interact with participants whose views were more deeply rooted in strategic and security studies. One of the most rewarding aspects of the program was seeing how these participants became more open to considering humanitarian perspectives on nuclear weapons over the course of just four days. It was inspiring to witness such a significant shift in the personal and professional thinking of several people in less than a week. This made me reflect on how we can encourage more people to learn about the humanitarian impacts of nuclear weapons and to take these impacts into account in discussions on nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. I felt truly hopeful and motivated to continue carrying out knowledge-production activities at Dhesarme, such as the Introduction to Humanitarian Disarmament Course and the Study Group. Activities like these are essential to fostering this shift in the thinking of future politicians, diplomats, doctors, and engineers."
She also shared her expectations and reflections on her journey as an activist for Humanitarian Disarmament, highlighting the challenges inherent to mobilizing organized civil society in a context in which the world has never been so close to nuclear risks since the Cold War. Júlia explains that, despite the well-recognized threats, the tendency to minimize them in international security debates inevitably leads to discouragement, especially when the potential humanitarian impacts of the use and testing of nuclear weapons are dismissed as exaggerated or even "emotional." This is a concerning scenario due to the persistent emphasis on a security-centered mindset in which State sovereignty, as well as the logic of nuclear deterrence, is placed above the principles of human security and the efforts toward disarmament and non-proliferation.
"Advocacy, activism, and knowledge-production processes are exhausting. They require time, dedication, and financial resources, and they are often discredited or fail to produce immediate practical changes. It is a daily challenge. At the same time, participating in programs like this renews my energy to continue working in this field. Listening to young activists committed to the issue, learning about their projects, and discussing the humanitarian impacts of nuclear weapons in an environment of respect and active listening reinforces my passion for this cause and my motivation to continue working on it. Moreover, creating spaces where we can collectively think about alternatives and strategies for action is truly inspiring. These gatherings show that, despite the difficulties, there is a global community committed to promoting change and building a safer and more just future."
When asked about the challenges faced by young people engaged in Humanitarian Disarmament activism, Júlia emphasized obstacles related to recognition, representation, and resources:
"I believe that one of the main difficulties faced by young activists in the field of disarmament is the lack of credibility that is often attributed to us. Although we produce high-quality work, generate knowledge, lead campaigns, and mobilize communities, we are frequently excluded from decision-making spaces or invited only for symbolic participation. Furthermore, I believe that organizations working on disarmament generally face serious challenges in securing financial resources. For youth-led organizations, this challenge is even greater."
After a week of intensive learning and meaningful connections in pursuit of a more peaceful, just, and above all, nuclear-weapon-free world, free from their irreversible consequences, the young activist leaves a message for other young activists who, like her, believe in change:
"Despite all the challenges we face, young people continue to bring new perspectives, creativity, and innovative forms of advocacy that are essential to advancing discussions on nuclear disarmament. Negotiators and decision-makers need this energy and commitment, so never forget the value you have. The challenge is ensuring that these contributions are recognized and that young people have access not only to spaces where they can be heard, but also to the resources needed to turn their ideas into concrete actions. We still have a long road ahead, but instead of seeing it as a closed door, we can view it as a goal to be achieved. Working in networks, sharing experiences, dreams, ideas, and even frustrations with other young people is fundamental. No change happens alone. Together, we can strengthen our voices and build a movement that is more diverse, more representative, and more capable of promoting real transformation."
Acknowledgements
"The Nuclear Politics Summer Program 2026 was an exceptional experience. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to participate, for everything I learned, and for all the people I had the chance to meet. I would especially like to thank all the young people I met for the moments of exchange and mutual support, and particularly the program organizers, who gave their all to create this space for knowledge sharing. I would also like to thank my colleagues at Dhesarme. I participated in the program as one person, but I was representing all of you, who share with me every day the dream of a safer world. Working with you is one of the greatest honors of my life."
Written by Fernando Fiala
Reviwed by: Júlia Marcon
30/06/2026 BRT
The views expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the institutional position of Dhesarme.
Comments