The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation’s Youth Empowerment Initiative brought together high school students from throughout Santa Barbara County for a weekend of informational workshops and skills training on how to be an effective peace activist. Priorities included socio-economic justice, the realities of military recruitment, environmental justice, the war in Iraq – and the connections between these issues.

There are many high school-aged young people in Santa Barbara County who are active at their schools and in their communities, working to promote awareness and bring about a better world. The peace leadership retreat was an opportunity for them to connect with each other, learn from each other, and join together to help create a brighter future.

There was a combination of informational sessions, dialogues, and skills training sessions during the retreat. The beautiful El Capitan Retreat Center provided the perfect setting as we became collectively more empowered!

The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation initiates and supports worldwide efforts to abolish nuclear weapons, to strengthen international law and institutions, and to inspire and empower a new generation of peace leaders. Founded in 1982, the Foundation is comprised of individuals and organizations worldwide who realize the imperative for peace in the Nuclear Age. The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation is a non-profit, non-partisan international education and advocacy organization. It has consultative status to the United Nations Economic and Social Council and is recognized by the UN as a Peace Messenger Organization.