In our second and third week in Santa Barbara, many NAPF Board members and members of the community came to welcome us and integrate us into their planning for an upcoming event. We also visited Santa Barbara City Hall to learn more about the intricacies of city legislation and how communities get involved.
The thing I was most worried about was not having enough knowledge about the history of the community, the organization, and the field of nuclear disarmament as a whole. Most of the people involved with NAPF have been working toward this cause for years, dedicating their lives to a world free of nuclear weapons. But my fear quickly gave way to curiosity as I realized the community I was immersed in was my best resource—a perfect place to start. After each visit, I found myself researching topics we had discussed, surrounded by stacks of books I felt compelled to read.
In these conversations, a recurring theme emerged: young people are the future, and our presence gives hope that the fight for a better world continues. We found common ground in our concern for the fragile state of global affairs and in our shared desire to anchor peace in a chaotic world.