2026 Youth Campaign: Voice Across Time

Building on the success of the 2025 CCM Youth for Humanitarian Disarmament Multimedia Contest organized by the Philippines at the 13MSP, we are pleased to launch a new youth campaign for the Third Review Conference, inviting youth advocates worldwide to contribute to this important event.
The Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) has played a vital role in the Convention’s development and implementation, turning its national experience as a heavily affected country into global leadership, including hosting the First Meeting of States Parties in Vientiane in 2010.

As the Convention returns to Vientiane for its Third Review Conference in a symbolic “homecoming,” offering a chance for a new generation to reflect on achievements made over the past 15 years and empower them to shape its future. In this connection, the Lao PDR Presidency invites youth to step up and carry its legacy forward through participation in the campaign.

This campaign aims to strengthen intergenerational dialogue by giving youth a platform to share their vision for the CCM while acknowledging the contributions of the generation that established it, building on previous youth engagement efforts to ensure their perspectives are heard globally. The campaign also builds upon previous successful youth engagement activities to mainstream the perspectives of the largest generation of youth in the CCM.
Through the “Voices Across Time: Messages to the Past and Future” campaign, young people are called to reflect on the Convention’s legacy and share their vision for the next 15 years of the Convention.

Write two messages (max 250 words each) in any of the six UN languages:

• Message to the Future: Share your hopes, ideas, and aspirations for the Convention over the next 15 years.
• Message to the Past Generation: Express your gratitude, reflections, and encouragement to those who paved the way.

Eligibility & Criteria:
• Age 18–29 at the time of submission
• Demonstrated interest in humanitarian issues, peace, or disarmament
• Commitment to attend the Third Review Conference if selected
• Creativity and originality in expressing your reflections and ideas
• Youth from cluster munitions–affected countries are strongly encouraged

Selected youth will be sponsored to bring their voices to the global stage at the Third Review Conference in Vientiane, where they will present their messages. In a powerful symbol of transformation, their words will also be painted on decommissioned cluster munition shells, turning instruments of war into messages of peace, remembrance, and shared responsibility.

Submission Deadline:

Wednesday, 5 August 2026, 23:59 Geneva time (CEST, UTC+2)

Submit your messages here:

communications[at]cmconvention.org with ccmpresidenct3rc[at]nra.gov.la in copy with “voice across time” as the subject line.

Your voice. Your message. Your legacy.