Hiroshima and Nagasaki Anniversary: events and initiatives

70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki

Commemorative events and initiatives in Aotearoa New Zealand

Below are the details of commemorative and related events and initiatives to mark the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, 6 August, and of Nagasaki, 9 August, which is also the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples.

Links – on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/notes/peace-movement-aotearoa/70th-anniversary-of-the-atomic-bombing-of-hiroshima-and-nagasaki-commemorative-e/892313880815982 – formatted for printing, http://www.icanw.org.nz

NATIONWIDE

From nuclear weapons-free Aotearoa New Zealand to a nuclear weapons-free world, join the call for action to abolish nuclear weapons! The new iCAN Aotearoa New Zealand campaign materials – a petition to parliament, an online petition, and a letter writing campaign – calling on the government to step up and start a diplomatic process on a nuclear weapons ban treaty will be launched on 9 August and will be available online then at http://www.icanw.org.nz

New resources from the New Zealand Red Cross: the NZ Red Cross ‘Paper Cranes’ campaign is now available at https://www.redcross.org.nz/what-we-do/in-new-zealand/wars-laws-and-humanity/awareness-campaigns and three new factsheets – on nuclear weapons and international humanitarian law, on the humanitarian consequences of nuclear weapons, and on the lack of capacity to respond to a nuclear weapon detonation – will be available on that page next week.

Peace Sunday resources for 9 August – Christian World Service’s 2015 Peace Sunday resources ‘Out of the depths I cry to you’ (Psalm 130:1) are now available online. "This year we remember the legacy of the first nuclear bombs dropped on Japan, those involved in nuclear testing and people and families traumatised by last year’s war in Gaza. We hear their longing for safety and peace at the same time as we hear the voices in our own communities seeking to tackle the causes of violence. There are no shortcuts to peace – we need to work to make it happen every day." Worship resources for Peace Sunday are at http://cws.org.nz/sites/default/files/PeaceSunday2015.pdf Peace Sunday slides for children are at http://cws.org.nz/sites/default/files/PeaceSunday2015_0.ppt (please select those appropriate for your group) Church Leaflet is available as a Word document at http://cws.org.nz/sites/default/files/Gazaleaflet0715.doc and as a PDF document at http://cws.org.nz/sites/default/files/Gazaleaflet0715.pdf Give Gaza A Break: Gaza Appeal information is at http://cws.org.nz/what-can-i-do/emergencies/gaza-emergency

Motion: Bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki – 70th Anniversary, NZ House of Representatives, 30 July 2015, is at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/icanz300715.pdf

AUCKLAND

Tuesday, 4 August – No more Hiroshimas: Ban the Bombs of horrific mass destruction, a forum with Tim Wright organised by Laurie Ross, 6.30pm at the UNITE office, 6a Western Springs Road, Morningside, Auckland.

Wednesday, 5 August – ‘The Transformative Potential of a Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapons’, a lecture by Tim Wright, the Asia Pacific Director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (iCAN). From 6pm to 7pm, Lecture Theatre 039, Ground Floor, The Clock Tower, 22 Princes Street, City Campus, Auckland. Organised by the Faculty of Law, together with the International Law Association (Auckland sub-branch) and the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs; please RSVP to lawevents More information is available at http://www.law.auckland.ac.nz/en/about/events-1/events/events-2015/01/08/NuclearWeaponsTreaty.html

Thursday, 6 August – Pray with us on Hiroshima Day, join us to pray for the victims of Hiroshima and all nuclear weaponry and reflect on what we can do to ensure that such weapons of mass destruction are never used again. At 12.15pm, the Peace Place, 22 Emily Place, Auckland CBD; organised by Pax Christi Aotearoa, further information is available at https://www.facebook.com/events/948891125154505

Sunday, 9 August – Hiroshima and Nagasaki Commemoration. You are warmly invited to attend this 70th year commemoration to remember those who died at Hiroshima and Nagasaki as a result of the atomic bombs dropped on their cities in 1945. Each year we pause to commemorate this occasion and to continue our work for peace, which WILPF has been pursuing for the last 100 years. The programme will include speakers, poetry, crane-making, music, singer songwriter Chris Priestly, and candle-floating. Candles will be supplied. At 5pm, Auckland Domain Wintergardens; organised by the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) Tamaki Makaurau Branch, further information is available at https://www.facebook.com/events/1009986409034415

Thursday, 13 August – No More Hiroshimas: Civil Society Unites to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, Emily Watson will speak about the April Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conference, where she worked with the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) Reaching Critical Will team, and the humanitarian movement for nuclear disarmament. At 6.30pm, Room WG 608, Sir Paul Reeves Building, AUT, Mayoral Drive, Auckland; organised by WILPF Tamaki Makaurau and the Pacific Media Centre, AUT, for further information please contact joanmac The A4 poster for this event is available at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/wilpf130815.pdf

WELLINGTON

Sunday, 2 August – Hiroshima and Nagasaki Atomic Bombings’ 70th Anniversary "Never Again" Commemoration, from 10.30am to 11.30am at the Peace Flame, by the Lady Norwood Rose Garden, Botanic Garden, Wellington (wet weather venue is the adjacent Begonia House). Organised by Richard Tingey, in association with Wellington City Council, the flyer for this event is available at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/wgn02082015.jpg

Sunday, 2 August – Opening of Tumanako! Children’s Art Works for a Peaceful World Exhibition, by Mayors for Peace Executive Leader Celia Wade-Brown, from 12 noon to 2pm, Mezzanine Room, Wellington Central Library, 65 Victoria Street. The poster for this event is at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/wcc020815.png – please note, all are welcome, you do not need to RSVP before Sunday to attend. The Exhibition – which is hosted by Wellington City Council in association with Soka Gakkai International of New Zealand, supported by UNANZ, UNICEF NZ, Commonwealth Youth NZ and Initiative for Change – will run for two weeks in the library.

Monday, 3 August – Nuclear Weapons and the International Movement for Disarmament! A speaker event, discussion, nibbles, with Tim Wright, Asia-Pacific Director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, and Emily Watson, Victoria University. From 6.30pm to 10pm, Kirk Building, Room 204, Kelburn Campus, Kelburn Parade, Victoria University of Wellington; organised by Red Cross at Vic, further information is available at https://www.facebook.com/events/870884109626499

Sunday, 9 August – Remembering Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Peace Sunday service with Rev Dr Susan Jones, St Andrew’s on The Terrace, and Edwina Hughes, iCAN Aotearoa New Zealand, 10am at St Andrew’s, 30 The Terrace, Wellington. A ‘Peace filled pizza’ lunch, with a short film to mark the atomic bombing anniversary and the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, and discussion, is at 12 noon in the church hall, a donation to help cover lunch costs would be appreciated. Organised by St Andrew’s on The Terrace and Peace Movement Aotearoa.

Monday, 24 August – ‘Banning nuclear weapons, killer robots and the use of explosive weapons in populated areas’, a lunchtime forum on humanitarian disarmament with speakers from the International Network on Explosive Weapons, New Zealand Red Cross, Campaign to Stop Killer Robots, and iCAN Aotearoa New Zealand; details will be confirmed next week, and available at https://www.facebook.com/PeaceMovementAotearoa/events

CHRISTCHURCH

Friday, 7 August – UCPOLS presents ‘The Transformative Potential of a Treaty Banning Nuclear Weapons’, a lecture by Tim Wright, Asia Pacific Director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. From 10am to 11am, Seminar Room 210, James Hight Library, Canterbury University. The poster for this event is at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/chc070815.jpg

Friday, 7 August – Banning Nuclear Weapons, a special forum with Tim Wright. At 7pm, WEA, 59 Gloucester Street, Christchurch; organised by the Christchurch Progressive Network.

Sunday, 9 August – Remember Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Memorial Commemoration. For the 39th consecutive year people in Christchurch will gather to commemorate the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and remember the dead and surviving Hibakusha (atomic victims). The programme includes speakers Mayor, Lianne Dalziel, and a Japanese representative, the Japanese Women’s Choir, and a lantern ceremony with the lanterns lit by Japanese children and the family of the late Mia Tay who initiated this commemoration in August 1976 and helped organise it for 37 years. From 5pm to 6pm at the World Peace Bell in the Botanical Gardens; organised by the Disarmament and Security Centre and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF) Otautahi branch, for more information contact kate The poster for this event is available at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/chc090815.jpg

DUNEDIN

Thursday, 6 August – Public Commemoration: Hiroshima and Nagasaki 70 years later Peace Vigil. We encourage you to join us in a public ceremony to commemorate the dropping of the nuclear weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 at the exact time of the bomb – which here in NZ is at 11.15am. As people gather for the ceremony the O-Taiko drummers will perform. Richard Jackson, Director of the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies, will introduce the ceremony. Marian Hobbs, former Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control, will offer her reflections on this important day and role of NZ in anti-nuclear advocacy. The ceremony will conclude with a poetry reading by a member of Dunedin’s Japanese community, and a moment of silence. Remember Hiroshima – Ban Nuclear Weapons! All are welcome. At 11am, Peace Pole, Otago Museum Reserve; organised by Peacing Together and National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies’ students, for more information please contact peacingtogether2015

Thursday, 6 August – Public Discussion: From Nuclear Free NZ to Nuclear Free World. We encourage you to join us in a public discussion on the status of, and prospects for, global nuclear disarmament, beginning with an exchange of views between Dr Kennedy Graham and Tim Wright. Dr Graham holds the global affairs, and defence and disarmament, portfolios of the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand. Tim Wright is the director (Asia Pacific) of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons. Dr Sungyong Lee of the National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies will facilitate. In the second portion of the event members of the public will be given the opportunity to ask either participant questions. Remember Hiroshima – Ban Nuclear Weapons! All are welcome. From 5.15pm to 7pm, in the Student Union, Main Common Room, Otago University; organised by Peacing Together, for more information please contact peacingtogether2015 This event is one in the series of events leading up to this year’s celebration of World Peace Day at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

iCAN Aotearoa New Zealand:From nuclear weapons-free Aotearoa New Zealand to a nuclear weapons-free world, join the call for action to abolish nuclear weapons! ~ web site icanz ~

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the national networking peace organisation
PO Box 9314, Wellington 6141, Aotearoa New Zealand
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Website – http://www.converge.org.nz/pma
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