Hiroshima-Nagasaki Peace Study Courses: Support for On-Site Learning
－International Christian University, University of Indianapolis－
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The City of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are working on the establishment and spread of Hiroshima-Nagasaki Peace Study Courses at universities in Japan and overseas.
The aim of the course is to academically organize and structure the message of the A-bomb survivors as a common asset for humankind, and communicate this to young generations as an academic discipline with universal value.
In March 2015, on-site learning programs were held in Hiroshima by groups from the International Christian University (Japan) and University of Indianapolis (USA), both of which offer the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Peace Study Course, and this Foundation provided support.
The groups from both universities took tours of Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum, listened to an A-bomb witness testimony by Ms. Keiko Ogura, and participated in recitals of A-bomb poetry at the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims among other activities, learning about the truth of the atomic bombing.
International Christian University
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Nine international students from International Christian University (ICU) participated in the on-site learning program from March 4-6.
Participants were selected by the Rotary Foundation, which has its headquarters in America, and were international students who are majoring in Peace Research as part of their Masters course at ICU.
This was the 11th time that a group of international students from this university has visited Hiroshima as part of this initiative.
As well as learning about the reality of the damage that the bombing caused, they also discussed about the abolition of nuclear weapons with Mr. Komizo, Chairperson of this Foundation, and research fellows from Hiroshima Peace Institute, Hiroshima City University.
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International students from ICU who listened to an A-bomb testimony of Ms. Ogura (third right front)
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University of Indianapolis
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Students from the University of Indianapolis reciting their own A-bomb poetry at the Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall for the Atomic Bomb Victims
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A total of fourteen students and teachers from the University of Indianapolis participated in the on-site learning program held from March 8-10.
This was the fifth time that this university has conducted on-site learning.
In addition to learning about the reality of the damage from the atomic bombing, participants also listened to a lecture by Ms. Mari Tsuruda, Emeritus Principal of Hiroshima YMCA School of Languages, about her experiences in a Japanese internment camp in America during the war.
They were also given a tour by the curator of Hiroshima Castle of the remains of the past battle in the castle grounds, and viewed the trees in Shukkeien Garden that survived the bombing.
Through these activities and more they deepened their understanding of peace.
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| (Peace and International Solidarity Promotion Division) |
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