Hiroshima & Nagasaki: Commemorative events in Aotearoa New Zealand

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71st anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki: Commemorative events in Aotearoa New Zealand

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This year marks the 71st anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima (6 August) and Nagasaki (9 August) – details of the commemorative and related events in Auckland, Napier, Wellington and Christchurch are included below. This year, for the first time since the detonation of the first atomic bomb in July 1945, there is the very real possibility that negotiations on a treaty banning nuclear weapons might begin soon, further information about that is in the international section below.

* International *

~ Friday, 5, Tuesday, 16, Wednesday, 17 and Friday, 19 August – the third session of the 2016 Open-Ended Working Group Taking Forward Multilateral Nuclear Disarmament Negotiations (OEWG) will be held in Geneva on 5, 16 (afternoon only), 17 (afternoon only) and 19 August to discuss and adopt the OEWG Chair’s report of the sessions held in February and May. The Chair’s draft report includes the statement (in paragraphs 27 and 59) that a majority of UN member states now support the convening by the UN General Assembly of a conference in 2017 – which would be open to all states, international organisations and civil society – to negotiate a legally-binding instrument to prohibit nuclear weapons, to lead towards their total elimination : ) The Chair’s draft report is available on the iCAN Aotearoa New Zealand site – http://www.icanw.org.nz – and regular OEWG updates will be added there once the session gets underway. The OEWG is likely to be followed by a resolution to the UN First Committee in October recommending negotiations on a ban treaty start in 2017. These developments will be discussed during the 2016 iCAN Aotearoa New Zealand forum to mark the anniversaries of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki – this year with Dell Higgie, NZ Disarmament Ambassador – in Wellington on 8 August.

* Auckland *

~ Sunday, 7 August – Hiroshima and Nagasaki commemoration, from 5pm to 6.30pm, at the Wintergarden tropical house, Auckland Domain. The programme includes music, paper crane folding, speakers and candle floating; candles will be provided. Organised by WILPF Tamaki Makaurau, more information is available at https://www.facebook.com/events/285318235192028

* Napier *

~ Sunday, 7 August – Hiroshima and Nagasaki commemoration, from 12 noon, at the fountain outside Napier Cathedral, corner Hastings and Browning Streets; more information is available at https://www.facebook.com/events/1575619032735014

* Wellington *

~ Sunday, 7 August – ‘Never Again’ commemoration, from 10am to 11.30am, at the Peace Flame Garden, Wellington’s Botanic Gardens (or in the nearby Tropical Begonia House if it is raining). Organised by Richard Tingey, for more information please contact cavewood88

~ Sunday, 7 August – Tumanako: Children’s artworks for a peaceful world, opening from 1pm to 3pm, at Makaro, Te Wharewaka o Poneke, 109 Jervois Quay, Wellington. Organised by Wellington City Council, Soka Gakkai International of New Zealand and New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO, more information is available on the poster at icanz or at https://www.facebook.com/events/277954085895444 – the A4 poster for this event is at http://www.converge.org.nz/pma/icanz-forum-aug16.pdf

* Christchurch *

~ Saturday, 6 August – Hiroshima and Nagasaki commemoration, from 11am at the Peace Bell, Christchurch Botanic Gardens. There will be a short ceremony, with speakers, music and candles, marking the 71st anniversary of the dropping of the nuclear bombs, and committing to work towards a world without nuclear weapons, and a tree will be planted in memory of Mia Tay. We will ring the bell at 11.15 as this was the actual time of the Hiroshima bombing (8.15 Japan time) and ceremonies will be held in Japan at the same time; please bring a few flowers to scatter on the river. Organised by the Disarmament and Security Centre and WILPF Otautahi, more information is available at https://www.facebook.com/events/285318235192028

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