Okeil: Educating youth on disarmament saves lives today and tomorrow

Mukhtar: Empowering youth is key to making real change in disarmament issues

On the occasion of the International Day for Disarmament Awareness and Non-Proliferation, celebrated by the United Nations on March 5 each year, Maat for Peace, Development, and Human Rights has launched an online campaign titled "Safe Generations." The campaign aims to educate Arab youth about the international legal frameworks governing disarmament and arms control, and to enhance compliance with relevant international treaties, contributing to building safer and more stable communities.

The launch of the "Safe Generations" campaign comes at a time of increasing armed conflicts in the Arab region, from the occupied Palestinian territories to Sudan, Libya, Yemen, and others, making the need to promote a culture of disarmament and non-proliferation more urgent than ever. The proliferation of weapons, whether conventional or weapons of mass destruction, poses a direct threat to civilian lives and exacerbates humanitarian crises.

The campaign aims to raise awareness among Arab youth about the legislation and international agreements governing disarmament, including treaties banning nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, as well as restrictions on the production, storage, and transfer of conventional arms. It also highlights the dangers posed by the accumulation of small arms and light weapons, the use of explosive weapons in populated areas, and the emergence of modern technologies such as autonomous weapons.

The "Safe Generations" campaign will run from March 5 until the end of April 2025 and includes a series of awareness activities targeting youth in the Arab region. These activities include: introducing the international legal framework for disarmament, including relevant agreements and treaties; disseminating awareness materials and educational videos about the dangers of arms proliferation and its impact on security and stability; organizing workshops and online discussion sessions with experts in international law and disarmament; and engaging youth in advocacy campaigns to enhance international commitment to arms control treaties.

In this context, Ayman Okeil, Chairman of Maat and Human Rights Expert, emphasized that engaging youth in disarmament issues is an investment in a safer and more peaceful future. Okeil stated, "The increasing armed conflicts in the Arab region and the rising threats posed by lethal weapons compel us to train and educate a new generation of Arab youth to be part of the solution, not just bystanders. Youth can play a key role in addressing the risks of arms proliferation, whether through community awareness, pressuring governments to adopt more responsible policies regarding arms trade, or joining relevant international treaties."

Okeil also referred to recent statements by some Israeli occupation leaders regarding the potential use of nuclear weapons against civilians in Gaza and the continued arms exports to conflict areas such as Sudan and Yemen. He stressed that raising awareness about the dangers of armament is an urgent necessity to confront these threats and protect innocent lives.

For his part, Mohamed Mukhtar, Director of the International Humanitarian Law Unit at Maat, explained that youth are the driving force for change in their communities, and empowering them with knowledge is the first step towards a safer world. Mukhtar added, "Investing in youth awareness about the dangers of arms proliferation and its devastating effects on communities is key to achieving real change. They possess the energy, creativity, and ability to influence, and therefore must be equipped with the tools and knowledge necessary to be ambassadors for disarmament and promote peace and security."

In conclusion, Maat reaffirms its ongoing commitment to raising awareness among Arab youth about disarmament and non-proliferation issues, and to enhancing their role in building a safer and more stable future. The foundation invites all interested parties to follow the activities of the "Safe Generations" campaign and to join awareness and education efforts by following its official accounts on social media platforms or visiting its website.