Preamble

We, the 59 participants of the 6th Hiroshima Junior International Forum, held from August 17th to 20th 2021, collaborated together online from 14 countries around the world. Our aim was to learn about and discuss the abolition of nuclear weapons as well as peacebuilding.

The Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) came into force in January of this year. This will be an integral and essential step towards the abolition of nuclear weapons. However, the division between nuclear weapon states and non-nuclear weapon states is yet to be overcome. In addition, people around the world continue to be displaced by prolonged civil wars, terrorist attacks as well as natural disasters. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose further challenges for the population of the world.

Under such circumstances, we are acutely aware of the importance of the need for the younger generation to act upon what we have learned here. Furthermore, we are convinced of the need to deepen our understanding of the challenges facing us and the current efforts being undertaken to meet those challenges. Having strong support from the Hiroshima community, we, the youth of today, participated in this forum as an important step for achieving such goals. Spending four days together, we learned from experts in this field, shared our knowledge and gained inspiration from each other.

In this Hiroshima Declaration, we have compiled the results and fruits of our learning and discussion. The Hiroshima Declaration is a proposal to local and national government leaders, business leaders around the world and the rest of society, as well as an action plan for us, the participants.

 

<Challenges and Solutions for Abolitions of Nuclear Weapons>

Towards the abolition of nuclear weapons, we recognize the issue of states having to rely on nuclear weapon states for protection against nuclear weapons such as the United States’s nuclear umbrella.
For this challenge, we recommend nuclear weapon states to work for an immediate reduction towards the abolishment of nuclear warheads. For countries that retain illegal nuclear weapons, there should be active denuclearization reinforced by international organizations. For this, the organizations can monitor the reduction process and nuclear activities. Although this is a long term process, improving trust between states would result in a further positive connection between countries over the world. States should also separate the issue from a political view and public manipulation because protecting lives is the most crucial role that they have.

We also recognize that there are not enough opportunities to exchange thoughts with people of opposing opinions about the abolishment of nuclear weapons compared to occasions of speaking with people of the same stance on nuclear weapons. Towards solving this issue, we suggest more diverse exchange programs and interactions for people to keep a flexible, unbiased position in working for nuclear abolishment. This will result in better resolutions.

We have observed the problem that people all over the world do not fully understand the dangers of nuclear weapons because they do not have the opportunity to listen to the experiences and stories of the Hibakusha for they are elderly and cannot travel far or speak English well. The stories told by the Hibakusha are inspiring and impactful, therefore having the power to change a person’s mind about the abolishment of nuclear weapons. Solving this issue would require strengthening the nuclear taboo, or spreading the idea of nuclear weapons being a threat against the world. In order to carry this out, there should be the education of younger generations about nuclear weapons as well as spreading stories of the Hibakusha by the younger generation to the people abroad to open their eyes to the danger of nuclear weapons. They should also be taught about the alternatives to such weaponry.

 

<Our Role for Abolition of Nuclear Weapons>

We, the young people, commit to strengthening the nuclear taboo by spreading the message and speaking out, participating in forums/discussions, spreading awareness via posting on SNS, and being more active on social media on spreading knowledge (links, documents) and experiences (forums) for the abolishment of nuclear weapons.

We can also promote the topic to the point that it is understood by the world’s population by emphasizing that this issue involves everyone, the world, and even people who have nothing to do with nuclear weapon states, and that their lives can also be threatened by nuclear weapons.

We, the younger generation, will commit to passing on the memories of the Hibakusha and their relatives with the responsibility of inspiring people to make a change about their stance on nuclear weapons.
In addition to that, it is imperative for us to connect with others around the world. When we build trust with each other for years to come, the use of inhumane weapons such as nuclear weapons will abate.

 

<The Role of Hiroshima for Abolition of Nuclear Weapons>

We believe that Hiroshima can act as the symbol for peace and a checkmate against nuclear weapons due to its tragic history. Hiroshima should also present the stories of the Hibakusha to the public.

In addition, Hiroshima should invite people from overseas to Japan/Hiroshima to allow them to learn more deeply about the consequences of using nuclear weapons and host online programs for those who cannot gain easy access to Japan.

 

<Challenges and Solutions for Peacebuilding>

Towards peacebuilding, we recognize that prejudice involving race, genders, cultures, and social status has become a significant issue in the path towards peace building. This discrimination has derived from having an incorrect understanding of other countries due to a history of conflict, a sense of indifference, and a mindset of hatred implanted at a young age.

An effective solution for this issue is to regularly educate citizens about racism and prejudice. With the help of international organizations like the United Nations, the message can be more widespread and powerful. Another solution that we suggest is allowing people to interact with others from around the world. Having relations would reduce the feeling of indifference in regards to calamities, cultures, and races in other parts of the world and would establish a worldwide connection.

In addition to the previous issue, we recognize that the lack of education disturbs international communities. Without a community with a correct understanding of the world, there would be a gap between the rich and the poor, poverty, discrimination, conflicts, and hunger. For this challenge, we recommend the following solutions:

For governments around the world to assist each other in spreading compulsory and free education, from elementary to high school levels. The education provided should include peace education to avoid the normalizing of war and murder, to inform about diversity along with accepting it, to avoid cultural assimilation. Furthermore, providing knowledge on how to maintain livelihoods to assist the poor. Since education should be a human right, we recommend governments to keep this right along with others in consideration when managing a nation.

Relating to the discussion of rights, a challenge that we’ve encountered is people being disconnected with the government and their decisions. The citizens’ voices are unheard by the government thus it is difficult for the government to execute a law with the agreement of the citizens. An example of this is the mandatory military training by the government. For this challenge, we suggest developing a way for citizens to easily communicate and pose an opinion towards the government. Another solution would be to encourage and empower the society to speak out about difficult circumstances they are in.

We should also work towards peace with the understanding that developed and developing countries may have different priorities and our solutions should be acknowledged flexibly according to the current state of a country.

 

<Our Role for Peacebuilding>

Therefore, we, the young people, commit to daily acts of kindness to make peace part of our lives, and inform the people around us about the knowledge we gain about peace. With our knowledge of technology and media literacy, we commit to spreading reliable information about and supporting helpful campaigns that assist the economically unstable. We should donate everyday materials to such campaigns such as stationary, hygienic products, clothing, consumables, etc. for people who do not have easy access to such supplies. However, we recognize the importance of considering local production and its profits.

We commit to participating in peacebuilding forums such as The Hiroshima Junior International Forum and exchanging opinions with international members to educate each other.

 

<The Role of Hiroshima for Peacebuilding>

We believe that Hiroshima, as a symbol of peace building, can hold forums like the Hiroshima Junior International Forum and make the topics even more specific, empower the world to think about peace because of their experience, and work with NPOs and NGOs to spread the history and stories of Hiroshima and its reconstruction after the bomb to inspire conflicted areas that development is possible.
Moreover, we believe that Hiroshima can strive to gain a voice at international conferences to spread the message of peace.

 

Closing

We participants are now highly aware that specialized knowledge is fundamental for us to understand the challenges that we face and to be able to propose effective solutions. We have also reaffirmed that it is important to mutually respect each other while discussing issues and deriving solutions. While we recognized the importance of outreach, we also grew to realize the strategic relevance that we should spread our message by using the appropriate tools and methods.

We know that our responsibilities do not end with the announcement of the Hiroshima Declaration. We know we need to put the action plan presented here into practice. When we interact with people to share our suggestions, we know we need to collaborate with like-minded people, but we also need to have dialogues with people who hold different perspectives and opinions to seek better solutions for the whole of society. Through such efforts, we believe that we can achieve nuclear abolition, peacebuilding, and the resolution for other fundamentally vital issues.

Now all of us on earth face many challenges and difficulties. It is time for us to take decisive and concrete action. We state the significance of protecting a peaceful world where we have a choice in our actions, and show our understanding that each small step taken toward peace is a meaningful one. The youth’s will to change will pave the way to a brighter future. Understanding the limits of our power but the importance of our responsibilities, we hereby make this declaration and stake our determination to achieve it.

August 20, 2021