During May and October, 2024, the Oleander Initiative implemented the Rotary Hiroshima Peace Culture Program (RHPC). 34 Rotarians from Canada, Kenya, Uganda, the United Kingdom and the United States participated in an intensive three day study tours of the remarkable culture of peace that grew out of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.
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Rotarians at the Oleander Initiative in Hiroshima during May and October, 2024
Rotary International is one of the premier service organizations in the world, with the mission to “provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace.” Rotary International includes 1.4 million members residing in over 200 countries.
In Hiroshima, RHCP participants explored themes of resilience, forgiveness, and peace culture through testimonials, site visits, and facilitated discussion sessions. Throughout the program, the Oleander Initiative challenged Rotarians to make meaning of the “lesson of Hiroshima” and to apply this personal understanding towards enhancing their Rotary service.
At the heart of Hiroshima peace culture are the hibakusha, or the victims of the atomic bomb. Hibakusha provide testimonials about the impact of the atomic bomb in their lives and are living symbols of Hiroshima peace culture.
Sadae Kasaoka Hibakusha Testimonial
Sadae Kasaoka was 12 years old and 3.5 kilometers away from the hypo center of the atomic bomb. She lost her mother and father on that day and grew up as an orphan in the ashes of Hiroshima.
Despite her ordeal, Kasaoka-san’s testimonial was not about the need for revenge but for the need of peace. Her story of courage, resilience, and sincere desire for peace deeply moved the RHCP participants attending her testimonial.
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Lunch and Informal Discussion Session with Sadae Kasaoka
Following the testimonial, RHCP participants had the opportunity to exchange gifts, eat lunch, and informally discuss topics on peace with Kasaoka-san.
Professor Yuko Takahashi
RHCP participants also examined Hiroshima peace culture from an academic perspective. Professor Yuko Takahashi of Hiroshima Jogakuin University provided a fascinating overview of how and why the city of Hiroshima dedicated itself to peace so quickly after the atomic bombing, as well as the factors that contributed to the growth of the remarkable culture of peace that flourishes in the city to this day.
Children’s Memorial at Hiroshima Peace Park
Following this foundational material, Rotarians visited the Hiroshima Peace museum and Peace Park, the two main sites of conscience in the City of Peace.
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Cenotaph and Peace Bell in Hiroshima Peace Park
Both sites illustrated the unique way the atomic bombing is memorialized in the City of Peace. In Hiroshima, the past is fully acknowledged and honored but is deliberately oriented towards promoting a more peaceful future.
Origami Crane Display in Hiroshima Peace Park
In all of its programs, the Oleander Initiative carefully balances emotional content around the atomic bombing with interactive activities that explore the culture of Hiroshima.
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Origami folding Peace Crane workshop
At the RHCP program, the Oleander Initiative implemented a origami crane folding workshop. Paper cranes are Hiroshima’s symbol of peace and participants learned the significance of the crane and had the opportunity to fold their own crane in order to make their own small, but tangible contribution to peace.
Throughout the program, RHCP participants immersed themselves in unforgettable Japanese cultural activities including:
Kagura Performance
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Miyajima, a UNESCO World Heritage site
A wide variety of Japanese cuisine
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Sushi!
At the end of each day, Oleander Initiative staff led interactive discussion sessions that helped RHPC participants to make meaning of their experiences. We hope that these insights into Hiroshima peace culture will be applied it to their own Rotary service.
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Discussion sessions at the Oleander Initiative
All of us at the Oleander Initiative are honored to bring the lessons of Hiroshima to members of such a prestigious organization committed to promoting world understanding, goodwill and peace.
We look forward to the impact the Rotarians at our program will make on their clubs, districts and communities!