Hiroshima-Nagasaki Peace Study Course at DePaul University
― 3rd Study Tour ― |
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| Tour of Peace Memorial Park |
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Hiroshima City and Nagasaki City have systematically organized popular
academic study of peace, especially the message of Hibakusha: "No
one else should ever suffer what we did". To pass on this message
to younger generations as a field of academic study, both cities have been
jointly working to establish the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Peace Study Course
in universities throughout the world.
From December 6 (Mon) to December 11 (Sat) last year, a group of 22 students
from DePaul University in the United States took the third study tour to
Hiroshima. This followed similar tours in 2005 and 2007. The course is
part of the Short-Term Study Abroad Program in the university. Through
the visit to the A-bombed city Hiroshima, students experience both old
and new Japanese culture and learn about peace issues.
During their time in Hiroshima, the students took tours of the Peace
Memorial Museum and Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic
Bomb Victims, listened to a recitation of poetry about the bombing, and
heard the testimonies of A-bomb survivors, Ms. Shigeko Sasamori and Mr.
Shuntaro Hida. They also held a discussion with researchers from the Hiroshima
Peace Institute and did some fieldwork in Peace Memorial Park. Through
these peace studies, they deepened their understanding of the reality of
the atomic bombing.
On December 7 (Tues), the group visited Mayor Akiba. The Mayor encouraged
them, saying, "Students like yourselves studying here in Hiroshima
is a task of great importance for creating a peaceful world, and in particular
for achieving the abolition of nuclear weapons. I am sure that you will
make use of what you have learned during your visit and make important
contributions for the 21st century". The students asked the Mayor
why he decided to tackle peace issues and the abolition of nuclear weapons.
They also asked about the activities and achievements of Mayors for Peace.
They listened intently to the Mayor's explanations. |
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(Peace and International Solidarity Promotion Division)
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