A brush with peace: CTBTO Youth Group art exhibit opens in Vienna and New York

The CTBTO Youth Group (CYG) has opened two simultaneous art exhibitions at the Vienna International Centre (VIC) in the Austrian capital and the United Nations Headquarters in New York. These exhibits, which run from 29 August to 6 September in Vienna and from 3 to 6 September in New York, are themed “CTBT: A World with Nuclear Tests vs. A World without Nuclear Tests.”

Launched as part of an international art competition in January 2024, the initiative attracted 35 entries from around the globe, with participants hailing from Albania, Bahrain, Cameroon, Canada, France, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Malta, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, Syria, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

This campaign was designed to offer CYG members - a group of over 1,200 students and young graduates committed to careers in global peace and security - a platform to showcase their creativity and contribute to the global call for a nuclear test ban. Participants were encouraged to submit works that starkly contrast a world affected by nuclear tests with one free from them across various mediums, including visual arts, poetry, music, dance, short films, videography, and photography.

15 artworks were selected for display in the two exhibits.

The opening ceremony in Vienna on 29 August, marking the International Day Against Nuclear Tests (IDANT), was attended by CTBTO Executive Secretary Robert Floyd. He commended the crucial role of youth in nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, stating: “We asked young people to contribute their creative ideas to help us mark this important day through art, song, and dance. Art takes us beyond words, allowing our minds to imagine the world we want - a world without nuclear testing.”

The event also saw the presence of the Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the United Nations in Vienna, Mukhtar Tileuberdi, and the Chief of Office at the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs, Rebecca Jovin, alongside representatives from various Permanent Missions and international organizations. 

Speaking at the event, Ambassador Tileuberdi said: “I would like to express my gratitude to CYG members for presenting their artistic views on this important topic. Their hard work and dedication can motivate diplomats and decisionmakers to advocate for a world free from nuclear tests.”

The New York exhibition, which opened on 4 September, was attended by Executive Secretary Floyd, the Permanent Representative of Kazakhstan to the United Nations, Kairat Umarov, the 78th President of the General Assembly, Dennis Francis, and a representative from the UN Office for Disarmament Affairs, Adedeji Ebo.

One of the featured artists, Anna Grace Manuel from Canada, attended the New York event and shared her thoughts, saying: “As a young person, it is easy to feel powerless in the face of global issues. However, it is vital that we use our voices and talents, through avenues like art, to advocate for a future free from nuclear tests. By doing so, we can contribute to meaningful efforts to build a world that is safer, more sustainable, and equitable for all.”

Before the exhibit openings, the top three competition winners were invited to Vienna on 12 June 2024 to participate in the Vienna Conversation Series. The winners were: Ekaterina Priadina from the Russian Federation (first place), Shadi Alzoubi from Jordan (second place), and Virginia Veruzzi from Italy (third place). They took part in a hybrid event co-hosted by the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO) and UNODA, under the title “Different Means for a Common Goal.” The panel explored various mechanisms to advance non-proliferation and disarmament efforts, emphasising the importance of education and the power of art to inform and inspire action.

Speaking about the campaign, Shadi Alzubi, a seismologist from Jordan said: “Art has the unique ability to transcend borders and communicate powerful messages, and the CTBTO Youth Group provided us the opportunity to merge the worlds of art and global peace. This competition allowed us to showcase our creativity while advocating for a world free from the threat of nuclear weapons tests.”

If you are between the ages of 20 and 30 and are passionate about promoting the CTBT and its verification regime, consider joining the CYG. This group offers opportunities to engage in activities, projects, and campaigns that are committed to making a meaningful difference in the world.