From the Frontlines

"I speak on behalf of the youth of the world and for the children and generations to come. Mr. President, I am 16. You were 16 in 1962. That was the year when the world held its breath..."

As the world struggles to prevent the collapse of the "non-proliferation regime," says a nobel peace prize winning NGO based in Philadelphia, one of the most constructive ideas has come from Mexico, which suggests building on the model of the Land Mines Treaty.

Ending the nuclear threat must begin with the countries that already have them. Their citizens must make the first move.

In the long term, the United States must make it clear that it is serious about reducing its nuclear arsenal and abandoning new nuclear weapons if the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and its tenets are to remain relevant and ensure the safety of the world's citizens.

While a future free of nuclear weapons may seem a distant goal, it is achievable with the dedication of thoughtful citizens. If May's NPT conference ends in stalemate, a broad coalition of non-governmental organizations is expected to step in where governments have failed.