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Hiroshima Peace Forum
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On May 11, 2013, the opening session of Hiroshima Peace Forum was held.
This ongoing event provides an opportunity for Hiroshima citizens to learn about peace and the atomic bomb, and consider what kind of action they can take.
The Forum was held a total of six times on alternating Saturdays up to July 20, in conjunction with the Hiroshima City University lecture series "Peace Studies from Hiroshima: Practical Methods".
A total of around 120 people attended the Forum, including Hiroshima City University students and members of the general public selected through an open selection process.
Participants listened to lectures on multiple disciplines ranging from real-life experiences and government administration to history, medicine, the arts and media, and held group discussions.
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At the first session of the Forum, Mr. Yasuyoshi Komizo, Chairperson of this Foundation, made an opening speech of the event, and then gave a lecture on the topic of "Hiroshima's Message for the Creation of a Culture of Peace".
In his lecture, Mr. Komizo said, "The core of the Hiroshima's message is the conviction and plea of atomic bomb survivors that 'no one else should ever again suffer as we did'.
This universal message of human dignity and right to peace has painfully been developed out of the unimaginably grave sufferings they have gone through.
This itself is an impressive human achievement and it should solemnly be shared by all of us who live in today's world".
He also stated "We particularly want to convey this message to the youth who are responsible to create future world with their own visions and aspirations.
And I am convicted that the message of Hiroshima and Nagasaki can give future generations rich sources if inspiration and courage to strive for a peaceful and harmonious world founded on a shared sense of one human family".
Mr. Komizo's lecture was followed by an Atomic Bombing Testimonial Talk by Ms. Noriko Ueda, an Atomic Bombing Witness for this Foundation.
Ms. Ueda described life during wartime as she spoke about her experiences, and urged the audience to
"listen to many people and learn, and create a world that does not go to war".
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Mr. Komizo gives a lecture at the Peace Forum
Ms. Ueda speaking about her atomic bombing experience
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Lastly, Mr. Kazumi Mizumoto, vice-president of Hiroshima City University's Hiroshima Peace Institute, gave a lecture titled "The Significance of Learning about Hiroshima".
He used data to show the damage caused by the Pacific War in general, and spoke about how we can and should learn about various issues from Hiroshima's atomic bombing experience.
In the questionnaire given to participants, one participant wrote "Mr. Komizo mentioned 'young generation' a number of times.
This made me feel that the actions that we take in our lives from now on will be important".
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| (Peace and International Solidarity Promotion Division) |
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