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.
Hi! I am a Junior majoring in Biochemistry and minoring in Math. With the Laidlaw Foundation, I've explored my interests in Nuclear Disarmament and Astrophotography through the K=1 Project @ Columbia University. For my second summer Leadership in Action Project, I'll be working on advocacy and forwarding nuclear non-proliferation policy in Santa Barbara, California and Japan with the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation.
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Erica, I absolutely loved the part where you mentioned the community being the best resource! I’ve experienced the same thing. When you take a genuine interest in someone’s home, history, and work, their whole face lights up. Sharing their way of life becomes prideful, and they welcome you into their stories with such generosity. I also found myself with a towering book queue and days that felt both wonderfully full and far too short, wishing for 25 hours just to keep working, exploring, and listening.
I also really resonated with your point about young people being the future. When I was narrowing my project’s focus, I thought about the same thing. In the end, I chose to work with ages 12 to 16 because I see this as such a pivotal age. They are old enough to start grasping complex issues, but still full of energy, courage, and optimism. It’s an age when you not only believe change is possible, but you’re determined to be part of it. If we invest in that energy, its effects, I believe, can transform communities for generations. I look forward to connecting when we are back in New York!