20 junior high students in Hiroshima begin training to convey peace message in English on August 6
Apr. 24, 2017
by Gosuke Nagahisa, Staff Writer
On April 23, a training for 20 third-year junior high school students began at the Hiroshima Youth Center in Naka Ward. The students have been selected as “messengers” to convey the importance of peace to international visitors who will come to Hiroshima for the anniversary of the atomic bombing on August 6. The training sessions will be held five times, with the last session taking place on August 5. Through this training, the students will prepare a message in English and communicate it to ambassadors and tourists from other nations.
The students first listened to a talk by Mayu Yasuda, 32, a resident of Minami Ward and a “memory keeper” of the A-bomb experience, as designated by the City of Hiroshima. Ms. Yasuda encouraged the students by saying, “It was because I wanted to be of some help to the A-bomb survivors that I began my efforts as a memory keeper. I hope each of you will find how you can help, too, in a way that suits you.”
The students were then split into three groups and engaged in practical training, sharing their thoughts on essays written by their fellow participants. In a future training session, an exchange event with international students is planned. On August 5, the students will announce their message for peace at a gathering with government representatives from various nations. Then, on August 6, they will distribute a card with their message at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
Ayaka Fukushima, 14, a third-year student at Shiraki Junior High School in Asakita Ward, said, “In my own words, I would like to stress that small, local actions will help lead to creating a peaceful world.”
The City of Hiroshima’s Board of Education began this initiative in 2015, which is now in its third year, to raise awareness of peace among students. Of the 3,303 students from 52 junior high schools in Hiroshima who submitted essays on peace, 20 students were selected to serve as messengers.
(Originally published on April 24, 2017)
On April 23, a training for 20 third-year junior high school students began at the Hiroshima Youth Center in Naka Ward. The students have been selected as “messengers” to convey the importance of peace to international visitors who will come to Hiroshima for the anniversary of the atomic bombing on August 6. The training sessions will be held five times, with the last session taking place on August 5. Through this training, the students will prepare a message in English and communicate it to ambassadors and tourists from other nations.
The students first listened to a talk by Mayu Yasuda, 32, a resident of Minami Ward and a “memory keeper” of the A-bomb experience, as designated by the City of Hiroshima. Ms. Yasuda encouraged the students by saying, “It was because I wanted to be of some help to the A-bomb survivors that I began my efforts as a memory keeper. I hope each of you will find how you can help, too, in a way that suits you.”
The students were then split into three groups and engaged in practical training, sharing their thoughts on essays written by their fellow participants. In a future training session, an exchange event with international students is planned. On August 5, the students will announce their message for peace at a gathering with government representatives from various nations. Then, on August 6, they will distribute a card with their message at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
Ayaka Fukushima, 14, a third-year student at Shiraki Junior High School in Asakita Ward, said, “In my own words, I would like to stress that small, local actions will help lead to creating a peaceful world.”
The City of Hiroshima’s Board of Education began this initiative in 2015, which is now in its third year, to raise awareness of peace among students. Of the 3,303 students from 52 junior high schools in Hiroshima who submitted essays on peace, 20 students were selected to serve as messengers.
(Originally published on April 24, 2017)
