Filled with hope

I've just got back from Wilton Park - an incredible stately home in the middle of the country - with a massive sense of hope for the future.

I, along with and around 40 other young people from all over the world, spent the week there Park for the Atlantic Youth forum. The event is basically a chance to meet people from different countries, learn about their views, cultures and discuss some of the most pressing world issues. I can't recommend it highly enough, if you ever get a chance to go you should take it - you will meet some of friendliest, most impressive people you've ever spoken to and have loads of fun.

We discussed and debated important world issues such as US foreign policy, world migration, enlargement of the European Union and Nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. We also managed to visit the Houses of Parliament, the US embassy and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (all in one day - it required an early morning wake up).

For me it was great to see that so many young people cared about nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament. We had a talk from experts, followed by a mass of questions - everyone seemed to agree that we are at a key point where something has to be done to prevent further proliferation and that we should be working towards disarmament. It's not often that you get to speak to people from the US State Department AND the UK Foreign Office about how young people can help promote non-proliferation and disarmament - but that’s what I was able to do.

It's so important that young people around the world spread the message about nuclear weapons - their effects and the dangers of proliferation. If the participants of the Non-proliferation review conference are as enthusiastic as the people at the Atlantic Youth forum we should all have hope.