Learning about nuclear weapons and global security
Hiroshima-ICAN Academy
Hiroshima Prefecture and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), recipient of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, will hold the Hiroshima-ICAN Academy on Nuclear Weapons and Global Security. Through this program, we aim to nurture global leaders who can make concrete contributions toward a more peaceful and secure world.
What is the Hiroshima-ICAN Academy?
◆Name：Hiroshima-ICAN Academy on Nuclear Weapons and Global Security
◆Sponsors: Hiroshima Prefecture, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN)
◆Purpose：To nurture global leaders who can make concrete contributions toward a more peaceful and secure world through training on nuclear weapons and global security.
Background to the 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 June 2024, it is estimated that there are still 12,520 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
The Academy’s program is featured by the following five elements.:
◆ Understand the reality of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, the inhumanity of nuclear weapons, and the health effects of radiation through testimonies by survivors and their supporters.
◆ Understand the social, economic, and environmental effects of nuclear weapons around the world.
◆ Learn about current trends and emerging risks related to nuclear weapons and global security, including sustainable security, through exchanges with experts.
◆ Acquire skills and mindsets for contributing in the global arena toward realizing a peaceful, sustainable world.
◆ Engage with and learn from survivors, UN officials, diplomats, NGO members, and activists.
* All lectures are conducted in English.
* We invite Japanese and international experts, UN officials, ambassadors from various countries, NGO members, and more to give lectures.
Past Academies
Hiroshima-ICAN Academy 2024（6th）
In the Hiroshima-ICAN Academy 2024, participants from around the world who passed the selection process participated in a program that included diverse lectures, exchanges with A-bomb survivors, and on-site training, after undergoing online learning through webinars that began on Wednesday, October 16, and then staying in Hiroshima for 4 days from Wednesday, November 13, to Saturday, November 16.
◆Theme: “Sustainable Security for All”
◆Participants: 21 participants from 15 countries and regions
*14 participants from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT)-defined nuclear-weapon states (China, France, UK, and USA)
*15 participants from nonnuclear-weapon states (Japan, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Italy, Norway, Ukraine, Kenya, Canada, Argentina, and Australia)
2024 Academy Schedule
【Part 1】Online Learning and Webinar Sessions
◆Date：
Orientation Wednesday, October 16
Webinars Friday, October 18, Monday, October 21, Thursday, October 24, and Monday, October 28, 2024
*Attend online lectures on nuclear weapons and security from experts in various fields.
|
Date |
Event Details |
Lecturers |
|
October 18 （Fri） |
The humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons |
Mr. Kazuhiko Futagawa (A-bomb survivor in-utero) Ms. Mary Dickson (Downwinder) |
|
October 21 （Mon） |
Current and future nuclear risks |
Ms. Laura Consideine (Professor at Leeds University (UK)) Ms. Yasmin Afina |
|
October 24 （Thu) |
The social, economic, and environmental impacts of nuclear weapons |
Mr. Robert Jacobs Ms. Franziska Stärk |
|
October 28 （Mon） |
The roles of the UN and civil society |
Ms. Melissa Parke Mr. Christopher King |
（Each lecturer's affiliation is as of the time of the event.）
【Part 2】Hiroshima Session
◆Date: Wednesday, November 13, to Saturday, November 16, 2024
◆Location: Hiroshima City (Peace Memorial Park, etc.)
*Listening to the testimony of A-bomb survivors, conducting on-site training, and more.
|
Date |
Time |
Event Details |
Venue |
|
November 13 (Wed) |
10:00–12:00 |
Opening and orientation |
Satellite Campus, Hiroshima |
|
13:00–15:00 |
Guided tour of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park |
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park |
|
|
15:00–17:00 |
Entrance to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum |
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum |
|
|
18:30–20:00 |
Welcome dinner |
ANA Crowne Plaza Hiroshima |
|
|
November 14 （Thu） |
9:30–11:00 |
Exchange with Hibakusha (A-bomb survivors) |
Satellite Campus, Hiroshima |
|
11:30–12:30 |
Lunch with Hibakusha |
Satellite Campus, Hiroshima |
|
|
12:30–13:15 |
Reviews for exchange with Hibakusha |
Satellite Campus, Hiroshima |
|
|
14:00–16:00 |
Visit to the Radiation Effects Research Foundation |
Radiation Effects Research Foundation |
|
|
16:00–16:30 |
Guided tour around Hijiyama |
Around Hijiyama |
|
|
18:00–19:00 |
Lecture about ICAN |
Satellite Campus, Hiroshima |
|
|
19:00–21:00 |
Exchange with youth activists around Hiroshima |
Satellite Campus, Hiroshima |
|
|
November 15 (Fri) |
11:00–12:00 |
Courtesy visit to the Hiroshima Governor |
Hiroshima Prefectural Government Office |
|
13:30–14:30 |
Courtesy visit to the Hiroshima Mayor |
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum |
|
|
16:00–18:00 |
Lecture about the foreign victim of an A-bomb |
Satellite Campus, Hiroshima |
|
|
November 16 (Sat) |
8:00–9:30 |
Hiroshima City tour |
Hiroshima City |
|
9:30–12:00 |
Preparation for the final presentation |
Essor Hiroshima |
|
|
13:00–14:00 |
Final presentation (public session) |
Essor Hiroshima |
|
|
14:30–16:00 |
Closing |
Essor Hiroshima |
Hiroshima-ICAN Academy 2023（5th）
◆Theme: “Nuclear Weapons and Global Risks”
◆Participants: 29 participants from 18 countries and regions
*14 participants from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT)-defined nuclear-weapon states (China, France, Russia, UK, and USA)
*15 participants from nonnuclear-weapon states (Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, India, Nepal, Turkey, Lebanon, Italy, Ukraine, Kenya, Morocco, Brazil, and Peru)
2023 Academy Schedule
【Part 1】Online Learning and Webinar Session
◆Date: October 4 (Wed), 6 (Fri), 11 (Wed), 12 (Thu), 13 (Fri), and 31 (Tue)
*Participants will learn about nuclear weapons and security online from lecturers, including UN officials and security experts.
【Part 2】Hiroshima Session
◆Date: October 24 (Tue)–27 (Fri)
◆Location: Hiroshima City (Peace Memorial Park, etc.)
*Listening to the testimony of A-bomb survivors, conducting on-site training, and more.
Hiroshima-ICAN Academy 2022（4th）
◆Theme: Nuclear Weapons and Sutainability
◆Participants: 29 participants from 20 countries and regions
*14 participants from the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT)-defined nuclear-weapon states (China, France, Russia, UK, and USA)
*15 participants from nonnuclear-weapon states (Japan, Mongolia, India, Uzbekistan, Iraq, Lebanon, Austria, Italy, Rwanda, South Africa, Zambia, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, and Fiji)
2022 Academy Schedule
【Part 1】Online Learning and Webinar Session
◆Date：October 25 (Tue) and 28 (Fri)
November 1 (Tue) and 4 (Fri)
*Participants will learn about nuclear weapons and security online from lecturers, including UN officials and security experts.)
【Part 2】Hiroshima Session
◆Date: November 9 (Wed)–November 12 (Sat)
◆Location: Hiroshima City (Peace Memorial Park, etc.)
*Listening to the testimony of A-bomb survivors, conducting on-site training, and more.
Hiroshima-ICAN Academy 2021（3rd）
*Held online only because of the impact of the novel coronavirus infection
◆Participants: 31 people from 18 countries and regions
*15 participants from five Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT)-defined nuclear-weapon states
*16 participants from 13 nonnuclear-weapon states
Hiroshima-ICAN Academy 2020（2nd）
*Held online only because of the impact of the novel coronavirus infection
◆Participants: 31 people from 20 countries and regions
*15 participants from five Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT)-defined nuclear-weapon states
*16 participants from 15 nonnuclear-weapon states
Hiroshima-ICAN Academy 2019（1st）
*Face-to-face program held in Hiroshima
◆Participants: 15 people from 11 countries and regions
*Eight participants from five Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT)-defined nuclear-weapon states
*Seven participants from six nonnuclear-weapon states
