A gathering of NGO's in support of the first round of 150,000 signatures to be given to the UN Secretary General's office for the UN to oversee the dismantling of Fukishima Unit 4. Unit 4 severely damaged, highly vulnerable to continuing earthquakes and is scheduled to begin removal in mid-November. (www.nukefree.org) "At Fukushima Unit 4, the impending removal of hugely radioactive spent fuel rods from a pool 100 feet in the air presents unparalleled scientific and engineering challenges. With the potential for 15,000 times more fallout than was released at Hiroshima, we ask the world community, through the United Nations, to take control of this uniquely perilous task." www.nukefree.org

The Ribbon in South Africa

In the summer of 2012, youth representative Gina Leow traveled to Cape Town, South Africa as part of a volunteer program for the International YCMA. While there, she spread the message of the Ribbon which is similar to the South African philosophy of Ubuntu. According to Archbishop Desmond Tutu in his book No Future Without Forgiveness, "A person with Ubuntu is open and available to others, affirming of others, does not feel threatened that others are able and good, based from a proper self-assurance that comes from knowing that he or she belongs in a greater whole and is diminished when others are humiliated or diminished, when others are tortured or oppressed." This resonates with the mission of The Ribbon International in that the ribbons, which celebrate the beauty and importance of life, are symbolically tied together to represent all of humanity in protecting Earth's life. Here are a few pictures from the trip:

International Peace Day

On September 21st, 2013 The Ribbon International celebrated International Peace Day along with the Peace Museum and other organizations at the Central Park 72nd Street Bandshell. We joined Ribbons on stage with the Interfaith Prayer for Peace and received positive responses for the activities we participated in at the event.

From Hiroshima to Fukushima - The Nuclear Threat Continues

The Ribbon International walked with Pax Christi and other organizations in NYC on Sunday, August 4th, 2013 to commemorate the 68th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki with a memorial prayer, discussion about the continuing nuclear dangers, and a silent procession with signs on a march towards Father Demo Square. The Ribbon International's Youth Representative, Gina Leow, is carrying a red Ribbon entitled "No More Nuclear War" that was created by an American young adult. The full video of the event can be seen here

First DPINGO Youth Led Briefing

First DPINGO Youth-Led Briefing entitled “Raising and Empowering Youth to Break the Cycle of Violence Against Women and Children” took place on Monday, March 25th, 2013 at the United Nations Headquarters. DPINGO youth representatives from various associated NGOs planned the briefing to address this year's 57th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) priority theme: Elimination and prevention of all forms of violence against women and girls. Youth representatives wanted to both promote inter-generational efforts and address the vital role that youths need to play in actively combating gender-based violence. This briefing addressed four aspects of the issue of violence: domestic and sexual violence; gender-based discrimination, existing socioeconomic circumstances and current legislation in force. Moderators: Maria-Luisa Chavez: Chief, NGO Relations, Department of Public Information Gina Leow: Youth Representative, The Ribbon International Speakers: Ahmad Alhendawi: United Nations Secretary-General’s first Envoy on Youth Quentin Walcott: Co-Executive Director, ConnectNYC Brigitte A. Watson: Equality Works Program Coordinator; Education Law Committee Youth Presenters: Katrina Martinez: Youth Representative, Association for Trauma Outreach & Prevention Kamila Jacob: Youth Representative, Unitarian Universalist United Nation Office Tevia Clarke: Youth Representative, New York Association for American-Russian Relations The video can be seen here: