○ Day 2 program

　・Visit to Peace Memorial Park

　・Interaction with atomic bomb survivors

　・Lecture「Southern Special International Students Exposed to the Atomic Bomb in Hiroshima」

　　at Hiroshima City University Associate Professor Nurhaizal Azam Arif 　

　・Interaction with youth activists in Hiroshima

　 The second day of the Hiroshima-ICAN Academy began with a tour of Peace Memorial Park. The participants toured the monuments in Peace Memorial Park, including the Cenotaph for the Atomic Bomb Victims and the Children’s Peace Monument, and received explanations about how each monument was built and how the buildings in the park were used before, during, and after the atomic bombing.

　After visiting the Peace Park, participants listened to A-bomb survivors Mr. Kazuhiko Futagawa, Ms. Sadae Kasaoka, Mr. Toshiharu Goto, and Ms. Megumi Motume speak about their experiences, and deepened their understanding of the reality of the bombing.

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　A question was asked by a participant: “As a hibakusha (a survivor of either of the atomic explosions at Hiroshima or Nagasaki in 1945), what responsibility do you think the U.S., which dropped the atomic bombs, needs to fulfill?” In response, a hibakusha said, “Rather than holding the U.S., which dropped the bombs, responsible, it is important that the country that carried out the bombing and the country that was bombed both take action so that the tragedy is not repeated.” The participants seemed impressed by this positive statement that although they had suffered from the atomic bombings, they are working together to realize peace without holding the perpetrator country responsible.

　After lunch with the A-bomb survivors, in the afternoon, Associate Professor Nurhaizal Azam Arif of Hiroshima City University spoke on the theme of “Southern Special International Students Exposed to the Atomic Bomb in Hiroshima” about the lives of Southeast Asian students in Japan before the bombing, the fact that they were involved in rescue efforts for A-bomb survivors after the bombing, and their own experiences with the atomic bomb.

　It was a rare opportunity to hear about foreigners who were exposed to the atomic bombing in Hiroshima, and participants learned that there are hibakusha of various nationalities outside of Japan, and learned how the atomic bombing had a great impact on them.

　In the evening, the participants exchanged views with youth activists who are working in Hiroshima to realize a peaceful world without nuclear weapons and had a lively discussion about their respective activities and how they should help achieve nuclear abolition in the future.

　The second day of the Hiroshima-ICAN Academy has come to a close and we are now half way through. Participants will continue their studies in Hiroshima for the remaining two days!

Other days

Webiner Session

Hiroshima Session