Hiroshima-ICAN Academy

It is estimated that by the end of 1945, around 140,000 people in Hiroshima and over 70,000 people in Nagasaki had died because of the two atomic bombs dropped on the cities in August of that year. Even for those who survived, the effects of the massive radiation released by the nuclear explosions caused serious damage to their bodies, and many people are still suffering from the effects of that destruction today.

However, as of January 2025, it is estimated that there are still 12,241 nuclear weapons in the world. Furthermore, the number of countries that possess nuclear weapons has increased from five in 1964 to nine today. Despite various international efforts to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons, in recent years, new nuclear risks have increased because of the miniaturization of nuclear weapons and the development of cyber technology. Numerous countries are still under the illusion that these nuclear weapons will ensure international security.

As the first city in human history to experience the inhuman devastation of nuclear weapons, Hiroshima has been calling on the world to depart from security reliant on nuclear weapons.

In recent years, awareness of the inhumanity of nuclear weapons has spread around the world, and in 2017, the United Nations adopted the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. ICAN, a coalition of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) around the world that contributed to this, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in the same year.

In 2019, the Hiroshima Prefecture and ICAN created a partnership to launch an international program in Hiroshima to foster young leaders who will contribute to world peace. This is how the “Hiroshima-ICAN Academy on Nuclear Weapons and Global Security” was born. The first Academy took place in 2019. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 and 2021 Academies were conducted online. However, since 2022, the Academy has been held annually in Hiroshima as an in-person program.

By having the young generation, who have learned about peace in Hiroshima and will play a leading role in the future and engage in various peace-seeking activities, such as supporting the reconstruction of areas that have been damaged by war, we aim to contribute to the realization of a peaceful world where people can live peacefully by expanding the circle of empathy around the world and influencing the international community.

Program Features

Hiroshima-ICAN Academy 2024（6th）