Hiroshima Prefecture and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (“ICAN”), the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize Award-winning organization, will hold the Hiroshima-ICAN Academy on Nuclear Weapons and Global Security 2020 (hereafter “the Academy”). Through this training program, we aim to nurture global leaders to make concrete and peaceful contributions to the world.

We have closed the application procedure for the Hiroshima-ICAN Academy on Nuclear Weapons and Global Security 2020 on June 26. Thank you very much for your interest and applications from all over the world!

Open Webinar (August 6, 2020)

See the report of Webinar

Please see the report about all Hiroshima-ICAN Academy Webinars

See the report by Peace Boat

Online Learning Materials

Theme 1 Humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons

REQUIRED VIDEOS

1. “The Reality of Atomic Bomb I – Interview by Sunao Tsuboi”, Think about Peace – Hiroshima as a starting point, Hiroshima Prefecture, 2019 (12min)

2. Lee Jongkeun, “A Korean Hibakusha’s Message for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons”, Peace Boat, 2018 (7min)

A Korean Hibakusha’s Message for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons from Peace Boat on Vimeo.

3. Cannon Hersey, “Hiroshima Revealed”, 2015

Cannon Hersey visited the present day Hiroshima to trace his grandfather John Hersey’s footsteps as he wanted to understand his grandfather’s feelings when he was writing the book “Hiroshima”. Protected with password. Please refer to the online learning guidance.

            Part I  (49min)

            Part II  (50min)

4. Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF), “Virtual Tour of RERF”, Hiroshima-ICAN Academy on Nuclear Weapons and Global Security 2020, 2020 (22min)

5. International Committee of the Red Cross x Kurzgesagt, “What if we nuke a city?”, Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell, 2019 (9min)

6. Robert Jacobs, “The Global Hibakusha”, Hiroshima-ICAN Academy on Nuclear Weapons and Global Security 2020, 2020 (18min)

REQUIRED READINGS

1. Nanao Kamada, “One Day in Hiroshima -An Oral History”, Japanese affiliate of IPPNW( International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War ), 2007
2. Setsuko Thurlow, “Setsuko Thurlow remembers the Hiroshima bombing”, Arms Control Today, July/August 2020
3. Robert Jacobs, “The Radiation That Makes People Invisible: A Global Hibakusha  Perspective”, The Asia Pacific Journal Japan Focus, Volume 12 | Issue 31 | Number 1, 2014
4. Mick Broderick and Robert Jacobs, “The Global Hibakusha Project: Nuclear Post-colonialism and its Intergenerational Legacy”, Journal for Creative Arts
5. International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), “A price too high: Rethinking nuclear weapons in light of their human cost”, International Review of the Red Cross, 2016

SUGGESTED WEBSITES

1. Hiroshima Archive       
2. Nagasaki Archive
3. Hibakusha Stories – Online Hibakusha Testimonies

SUGGESTED READINGS

1. Peter J. Kuznick, “The Decision to Risk the Future: Harry Truman, the Atomic Bomb and the Apocalyptic Narrative”, The Asia Pacific Journal Japan Focus, Volume 5 | Issue 7 | Article ID 2479, July 12, 2007

Theme 2 Political, legal and technical aspects

REQUIRED VIDEOS

1. “The Nuclear Ban Treaty in a nutshell”, International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), 2018 (2 min)

2. Treasa Dunworth, “Overview of legal framework on regulating Nuclear Weapons”, Hiroshima-ICAN Academy on Nuclear Weapons and Global Security 2020, 2020

3. Tatsujiro Suzuki, “Era of New Nuclear Threats: 100 Seconds to Midnight”, Hiroshima-ICAN Academy on Nuclear Weapons and Global Security 2020, 2020 (13 min)

4. Kjølv Egeland, “Overview of political and historical framework on regulating Nuclear Weapons”, Hiroshima-ICAN Academy on Nuclear Weapons and Global Security 2020, 2020 (16 min)

5. Keiko Nakamura, “Nuclear-free Zone in Northeast Asia”, Hiroshima-ICAN Academy on Nuclear Weapons and Global Security 2020, 2020

REQUIRED READINGS

1. Treasa Dunworth, “Negotiating Nuclear Disarmament: Clarifying the Law”, October 2016
2. Treasa Dunworth, “Strengthening the NPT: International Law and Effective Measures for Nuclear Disarmament”, October 2015
3. Science and Security Board of Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, “2020 Doomsday Clock Statement: Closer than ever: it is 100 seconds to midnight“, January 23 2020           
4. Henry Kissinger, “The Coronavirus Pandemic Will Forever Alter the World Order“, The Wall Street Journal, April 3, 2020
5. Kjølv Egeland, Magnus Løvold et al., “The Nuclear Weapons Ban Treaty and the Non-Proliferation Regime”, Medicine, Conflict and Survival 34, no. 2 , 2018
6. Lyndon Burford et al., “Sidetrack or kickstart? How to respond to the US proposal on nuclear disarmament”, Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, April 10 2019
7. “Northeast Asia Nuclear Weapon Free Zone – towards the achievement of regional peace and security”, Research Center Nuclear Weapons Abolition, Nagasaki University, March 2020

SUGGESTED READINGS

1. Michael Hamel-Green, “Nuclear-weapon-free zone initiatives: challenges and opportunities for regional cooperation on non-proliferation“, Global Change, Peace & Security, Volume 21, 2009 – Issue 3
2. Akira Kawasaki, “The Nuclear Ban Treaty — the Path Forward for North Korea, South Korea, Japan and the Region”, Perspectives on Peace and Security in a Changing Northeast Asia, August 2019

Theme 3 Civil society in action

REQUIRED VIDEOS

1. Álvaro Orús (Director) and Tony Robinson, “The beginning of the end of nuclear weapons”, Pressenza International Press Agency, 2019 (56 min)

2. Erika Bagnarello, “Flashes of hope: Hibakusha Traveling the World”, Peace Boat, 2019 (60 min)

Flashes of Hope: Hibakusha Traveling the World (English) from Peace Boat on Vimeo.

3. “Trees that survived Hiroshima”, Witness History, BBC, April 2020 (4 min)

4. Mary Popeo et al., “Young Activists in Japan”, Hiroshima-ICAN Academy on Nuclear Weapons and Global Security 2020, 2020 (27min)

5. “Akiko’s A-Bombed Piano”, Peace Boat, 2019 (4 min)

Akiko’s A-Bombed Piano from Peace Boat on Vimeo.

REQUIRED READINGS

1. Joint statement from civil society to the states parties of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, May 11, 2020
2. Motoko Mekata, “How Transnational Civil Society Realized the BanTreaty: An Interview with Beatrice Fihn”, Journal for Peace and Nuclear Disarmament, March 13, 2018
3. International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, “Gender and Nuclear Weapons”, February 2020

SUGGESTED READINGS

1. Celebrating 15 Years of Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Education, United Nations Office of Disarmament Affairs Occasional Papers, No.31, 2017
   

Theme 4 Disarmament diplomacy and role of the UN

REQUIRED VIDEOS

1. Izumi Nakamitsu, Statement at the UN Security Council, February 26, 2020 
   

REQUIRED READINGS

1. Alexander Kmentt, “Bridge building to strengthen the Non-Proliferation Treaty”, European Leadership Network, April 2019
2. Alexander Kmentt, “The development of the international initiative on the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons and its effect on the nuclear weapons debate”, International Review of the Red Cross, 97 (899), 681-709, 2015
3. Joint Communique to Commemorate the 50thAnniversary of theTreaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), May 2020
4. P5 Joint Statement on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, October 24, 2018
5. UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ remarks to the World Health Assembly, “COVID-19 Must Be Global Wake-Up Call”, May 18, 2020

SUGGESTED READINGS

1. Hiroshima Report 2020: Evaluation of Achievement in Nuclear Disarmament, Non-Proliferation and Nuclear Security in 2019, Hiroshima Prefecture and Center for Disarmament, Science and TechnologyThe Japan Institute of International Affairs, April 2020
2. Ray Acheson, 2020 NPT Briefing Book, Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, March 2020
3. Rebecca Johnson, “Will non-proliferation and nuclear restraint be weakened in 2020?”, European Leadership Network, May 24, 2019

The academy’s schedules

1 Notice of Acceptance

-We are going to inform all applicants on the screening process results by email on Tuesday, July 7.

– Those accepted will also receive details about the orientation and any other necessary information to take part in the online learning course.

2 Orientation

-We are going to have an online orientation (duration: about 2 hours) as an introduction to the Hiroshima-ICAN Academy 2020 on either July 13 or 14.

-We will propose a date and time after carefully considering time zones of participants’ residential areas. We would of course do our best to select the best time for all the participants, however, please kindly understand the time frame could be pretty harsh for some of the participants. We need everyone’s cooperation and understanding. Therefore, it is highly appreciated if participants can adjust their schedule to make themselves available for both days (July 13 and 14).

3 Online Learning Materials

-All the learning materials will be put on Hiroshima Prefecture and ICAN websites by July 13. Once they are up there, participants will be informed and required to read and watch the online learning materials.

4 Webinars

            First Webinar:

Monday, July 27. During the daytime or evening time in Japan, a couple of webinars will be held. One webinar lasts about 2 hours. Participants are required to take part in one or both webinar(s) according to the time zone.

           Second Webinar:

Monday, August 3. During the daytime or evening time in Japan, a couple of webinars will be held. One webinar lasts about 2 hours. Participants are required to take part in one or both webinar(s) according to the time zone.

           Third Webinar:

Thursday, August 6. Since it is the Hiroshima Memorial Day, participants are asked to make all day of August 6 available and join all the events/webinars intermittently continued from the 8am live-streaming of Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony to a couple of webinars at night.*

*For more information on the schedule, please get in touch with the Hiroshima Prefectural Government (contact details are below.)

5 Assignments

-Participants will be requested to submit essays and feedback several times in the duration between July 13 and August 6.

-Details including essays deadlines will be sent at later time.

　

Hiroshima-ICAN Academy on Nuclear Weapons and Global Security 2020

Program Overview

 In 2019, the Academy was conducted from late July to early August in Hiroshima City. This year, however, due to the global spread of COVID-19, the Academy will be composed of two parts. Part 1 is to be an online learning course and webinars, and Part 2 an in-person training program to take place in Hiroshima City.

The dates for the Part 2 in-person training program are to be confirmed after carefully examining the COVID-19 circumstances in Japan and overseas.

Note that in principle, participants are strongly requested to complete both Parts. (Since the dates of Part 2 are yet to be fixed, reconfirmation of participation in Part 2 will be conducted at the end of the Part 1, and participants confirmed accordingly.)

(1) Part 1 (online learning course and webinars)

Through the online learning course in July, participants will learn about four themes: the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons; the political, legal, and technical aspects of nuclear weapons and global security; civil society in action; and disarmament diplomacy and the role of the UN. During three webinars  (number TBC) or similar from late July to August 6, participants will have opportunities to interact with guest educators (including Hibakusha, atomic bombing survivors). 

After watching the Peace Ceremony of August 6, during the last webinar on the same day participants will hear directly from UN officers, government officials and representatives of civil society to consider the significance of the 75^th anniversary and actions to take from now. 

Ⅰ Dates:            Monday, July 13 to Thursday, August 6, 2020

Two (number TBC) or similar webinars to be held between late July and early August, and the final webinar on Thursday, August 6. 

Ⅱ Participants:     Approximately 30 students and young professionals (25 years old or younger)

15 from nuclear-weapon states (NWS) and 15 from non-nuclear-weapon states (NNWS)

* NWS are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States, as defined by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). NNWS are all countries not NWS. 

Ⅲ Platform for webinars:  Zoom (TBC) 

 The organizer plans to make the final webinar open to pre-registered observers. 

Ⅳ Program fee:  Free

(2) Part 2 (In-person training program in Hiroshima City)

Ⅰ Dates:  To be determined (When considered safe after the containment of COVID-19)

 * Approximately five days

Ⅱ Venue:  An accommodation and training facility in Hiroshima City

Ⅲ Program fee: Meals and accommodation during the program, costs associated with the  fieldwork (admission fees, etc.) will be covered by the organizers. Participants are responsible for covering their travel expenses from/to their home to/from the venue in Hiroshima, visa fees (if applicable), overseas travel insurance fees and other personal expenses associated with their participation. Several outstanding participants will be awarded with a travel scholarship. Please notify the organizer of your interest upon application. 

* For last year’s program, click here.

Program Features

– Understand the reality of the atomic bombing, such as the inhumanity of nuclear weapons and health effects of radiation, through testimonies and virtual participation in the Peace Memorial Ceremony.

– Learn about global trends on nuclear weapons and global security.

– Acquire necessary skills and innovative visions for concretely contributing in the global arena towards realizing a peaceful world.

– Engage with and learn from UN officials, diplomats, and NGO members.

Program Themes

– Humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons

– Political, legal, and technical aspects of nuclear weapons and global security

– Civil society in action

– Diplomacy for disarmament and security, and the role of the United Nations

*  The program will be conducted entirely in English.

Schedule (Tentative)  * Subject to change.

Monday, July 13 to Thursday, August 6: Online learning course and webinars ( 3 times (number TBC) or similar)

Several essays and feedback papers will be requested

Thursday, August 6 onwards: Essays and/or other assignments will be requested

Participants joining Part 2 to be reconfirmed

Application requirements

　　Applicants shall meet all the following requirements: 

1. Applicants shall be students or young professionals approximately 25 years of age or younger.  
2. Applicants should have a strong interest in issues related to nuclear weapons and security, and also be keen to work for global peace, for instance as a UN worker, diplomat or international NGO worker. 
3. Among the participants, one (1) of them shall be a resident of Hiroshima Prefecture with Japanese nationality or a child of a parent who is from Hiroshima Prefecture. 
4. Applicants should be able to comprehend technical terms and participate in discussions in English.
5. Applicants should be considerate and respectful of the diversity of all the people involved in the Academy such as gender, nationality, race, ethnicity, political beliefs, religious thoughts, sexual orientation, and physical characteristics.
6. Applicants should have access to the Internet for communication and online learning at the place of their residence.
7. Applicants should have the will to remain actively involved in the issues of nuclear weapons and global security after the program by making full use of the knowledge and skills gained in the program, and to be able to disseminate about their experiences utilizing social media, etc. 

Application method and deadline

Please download the application form below.

Application form

Fill out the application form, sign, and send it by post or by online application to the Peace Promotion Project Team, Hiroshima Prefectural Government (see below for the address).

If you have several documents and send it by online application, please combine them and attache one document.  

The application form consists of three parts:

– Personal Particulars (Signature to show applicant’s intention)

– English Proficiency （Native English speakers do not need to prove this.）

– Short Essay (700 words)

“Current situation and issues of nuclear weapons and global security”

Application Deadline: Friday, June 26, 2020 | 17:00 (Japan Standard Time)

  ・If any changes have to be made to the information submitted, please promptly contact the Peace Promotion Project Team as below.

・The personal information will be managed by the organizer and will not be used for any purpose other than the Academy and promotion of the events which are organized by Hiroshima Prefecture and/or ICAN. 

Selection

The selection committee will review the applications based on the application requirements as above. A phone/Skype interview (in English) may be conducted in early July.  If applicable, applicants will be contacted by the organizer to schedule the interview.

1. All applicants will be notified of the selection result by Friday, July 10, 2020.

2. Even after the selection has been made, if a successful applicant engages in an inappropriate act or suffers a significant health issue, the organizer reserves the right to cancel their participation.