Announcing the Hiroshima-ICAN Academy on Nuclear Weapons and Global Security 2023

Peace Boat is pleased to announce that Hiroshima Prefecture and the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), will hold the Hiroshima-ICAN Academy on Nuclear Weapons and Global Security 2023. As an International Steering Group member of ICAN, Peace Boat plays a central role in the planning and organization of the Academy. Through this program, we aim to nurture global leaders who can make concrete contributions towards a more peaceful and secure world.  Join us for this opportunity to meet and learn together with inspiring, diverse individuals from around the world!

The deadline for applications is July 31. 

Background

In April 2019, Hiroshima Prefecture and ICAN signed a memorandum of understanding on collaboration in the field of human resource development for the next generation toward nuclear weapons abolition. Both established an executive committee to launch the Hiroshima-ICAN Academy, a course that aims to nurture global leaders who can make concrete contributions towards a more peaceful and secure world. This year will mark the fifth time the course has been held.
 

2023 Program Overview

The Academy 2023 is planned to be held in three sessions: "Online Learning and Webinar Session", "Hiroshima Session" and "Online Reflection Session". Participants are expected to complete all three sessions.

This year’s overall theme will be “Nuclear weapons and global risks.” The world is faced with severe risks such as climate change, natural disasters, natural resource crisis, and pandemics. Ongoing wars and heightened geopolitical tensions are not only directly threatening people’s lives but also increasing social divides and polarization. Cyber insecurity and emerging technologies are adding unpredictability to our future. Amid these crises, the risk of nuclear war has become very real. Examining the humanitarian and environmental consequences of nuclear weapons, the Academy explores ways to build a sustainable, secure world for all.

Dates:

1. “Online Learning and Webinar Session": Several webinars scheduled for the first half of October (exact dates will be announced later
2. “Hiroshima Session”:  Tuesday, October 24 – Friday, October 27
3. “Online Reflection Session”: Friday, November 17

Participants: 30 youth (university or graduate school students, young professionals) approximately 25 or younger

• 15 from nuclear weapon states (NWSs)
• 15 from non-nuclear weapon states (NNWSs)
  NWSs are China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, as defined by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). NNWSs are all countries not NWSs. Among participants, one shall have a connection to Hiroshima Prefecture.

Language: The program will be conducted in English.

Tuition: Free

Costs associated with the “Hiroshima session”: Free (travel costs not included)

• Meals and accommodation during the program and costs associated with the fieldwork (admission fees, etc.) will be covered by the organizers.
• Participants are responsible for covering their travel expenses to and from their home and Hiroshima, visa fees (if applicable), overseas travel insurance fees, and other personal expenses associated with their participation.
• Scholarships: Several outstanding participants may be supported with a travel scholarship.

In principle, the scholarships will be provided to those who would otherwise find it difficult to come to Hiroshima for economic reasons, mainly from economically disadvantaged countries/regions. Intention to apply for this need-basis travel scholarship will not have any impact on the overall selection process. Participants are encouraged to seek financial support from their school or affiliated organization. The organizers can issue an official letter of support for these purposes.

Sessions Overview

1.  “Online Learning and Webinar Session”

Through an asynchronous learning program (self-paced) and participating in webinars as a synchronous program (set-pace, at scheduled times), participants will learn about four themes: the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons; the political, legal, and technical aspects of nuclear weapons and global security; civil society in action; and disarmament diplomacy and the role of the United Nations. During the interactive and engaging webinars, participants will have opportunities to learn both from guest educators, including Hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors), and each other.

Time and Dates: TBD (Several webinars will be scheduled for the first half of October)
Platform: Zoom (TBC)

2. “Hiroshima Session”

Participants will have the unique opportunity to learn about the humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons through activities such as directly hearing Hibakusha testimonies and visiting A-bombed sites and Peace Memorial Museum, along with other learning about other nuclear weapons-related topics. This is an in-person educational program in Hiroshima. It is increasingly important during this time of tension regarding the potential use of nuclear weapons for participants to come together to learn from Hiroshima and its people.

Dates: Tuesday, October 24 – Friday, October 27
Place: Hiroshima City

3. “Online Reflection Session”

After participants return to their places of residence, there will be an online forum for participants to share how they will apply what they have learned through the Academy in their respective activities, locations, and initiatives.

Date: Friday, November 17
Time: TBD
Platform: Zoom (TBC)

Program Features

• Understand the reality of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, the inhumanity of nuclear weapons, and health effects of radiation through testimonies by survivors and their supporters.
• Learn about current trends related to nuclear weapons and global security through exchange with experts.
• Acquire skills and mindsets for contributing in the global arena towards realizing a peaceful world.
• Engage with and learn from UN officials, diplomats, and NGO members.

Program Themes

• Humanitarian impact of nuclear weapons
• Political, legal, and technical aspects of nuclear weapons and global security
• Civil society in action
• Diplomacy for disarmament and security, and the role of the United Nations

Information Sessions

Join us for one of the two online information sessions to learn more about the program and the application process. The content of both information sessions will be the same.

1. 7:30-9:00 pm Japan Standard Time: JST (UTC+9), Friday, June 30 (Europe, Africa, Middle East, Asia and Oceania, and Pacific) 
   Click here to register to join the above Online Information Session.
2. 8:00-9:30 am JST(UTC+9), Thursday, July 13 (North and South America, and Pacific)
   Click here to register to join the above Online Information Session.

Application requirements

Applicants shall meet all the following requirements:

1. Applicants should have a strong interest in issues related to nuclear weapons and global security, and also be keen to work for global peace, for instance as a diplomat or for the UN or international NGOs.
2. Applicants shall be students or young professionals approximately 25 years of age or younger. (Some exceptions were accepted in the past.)
3. Applicants are strongly requested to participate in all sessions.
4. Attending all lectures and submitting assignments for the “Online Learning and Webinar Session” is a prerequisite for participating in “Hiroshima Session.”
5. Applicants should be able to participate in discussions regarding nuclear weapons and related topics, including some technical terminology, in English.
6. Applicants should be considerate and respectful of the diversity of all those involved in the Academy, including nationality, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability, religious beliefs, political beliefs, and opinions.
7. Applicants should have access to the internet for communication and webinars at their place of residence.
8. Applicants should, ideally, remain actively involved in the issues of nuclear weapons and global security after the program by making full use of the knowledge and skills gained in the program, and to be able to share their experience utilising social media, etc.

Application method and deadline

Please access here to fill out the Application Form (Google Forms). Application Deadline: 5:00 pm JPT (UCT+9) on Monday, July 31

The application consists of two parts:

1. Personal Information
2. Short Essay (700 words)
   • Applicants are strongly suggested to watch the live-stream/recording of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony held on August 6. The URL for that will be announced here on this webpage, as time comes near August.
   • The Application Form requests you to submit an essay by uploading it. If you do not have a Google account, you will not be able to use the upload function in the Application Form, so please send your essay to chiheiwa@pref.hiroshima.lg.jp after filling out the application form online. You can download the Essay Sheet here.
   • If you do not have access to Google services, please download the application form in Microsoft Word format here and submit it to chiheiwa@pref.hiroshima.lg.jp.

To make any changes to information submitted, please promptly contact the office of the Executive Committee as below. The organizer may request that applicants submit an official certificate of English proficiency, if necessary.
Personal information (e.g. nationality) will be protected by the organizers and not used for any purpose other than the Academy and promotion of relevant events organized by Hiroshima Prefecture and/or ICAN.

Selection

The selection committee will review the applications based on the requirements above, ensuring diversity in gender, geographical representation, perspectives on nuclear weapons and global security, and other backgrounds. A phone/Zoom interview (in English) may be conducted, in which case, applicants will be contacted by the organizer to schedule the interview.

Applicants will be notified of the selection results on Friday, September 8. Even after the selection has been made, if a successful  applicant engages in inappropriate behavior, the organizer reserves the right to cancel their participation.

Schedule (Tentative)

Inquiries

Executive Committee of Hiroshima-ICAN Academy
Tel: +81-82-513-2368
Email: chiheiwa@pref.hiroshima.lg.jp
Address: 10-52, Motomachi, Naka-ku, HiroshimaCity, 730-8511, Japan

Reports from Previous Academies

Academy 2022: Report

Participants: 29 students and young professionals
Part I: Online learning and webinars
Part II: Four-day in-person program in Hiroshima.

Academy 2021: Report on webinars / Report on Special Program

Participants: 31 students and young professionals
Part I: Online learning and webinars
Part II: In-person program was scheduled but canceled due to COVID-19.
It was replaced by a Special Program that featured online testimonies by Hibakusha and a virtual tour of A-bombed sites and the Peace Memorial Museum in Hiroshima

Academy 2020: Report

Participants: 31 students and young professionals
Part I: Online learning and webinars
Part II: In-person program was scheduled but canceled due to COVID-19.

Academy 2019: Report

Participants: 15 students and young professionals
Nine-day in-person program

Participants in the last four years

Number of participants to date: 106
Participants’ countries/regions: 38 (Algeria, Argentine, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Fiji, France, Georgia, Germany, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Republic of Korea, Kyrgyz Republic, Lebanon, Mexico, Mongolia, Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, Poland, Russia, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, United Kingdom, the United States of America, Uzbekistan, Zambia)