In August 1945, Nagasaki was the target of the world's second atomic bomb attack after Hiroshima. An estimated 40,000 people were instantly killed, the death toll eventually reaching over 70,000 with hundreds of thousands injured and diseased as a result of the bombing.” We sincerely hope that humankind will never experience the same tragedy again,” Syoko Hirai from Seiwa Jyoshigakuin High School near Nagasaki shared in her message.

Inspired by desire for peace, the eight Peace Messengers participate in a campaign to solicit 10,000 signatures from their communities calling on world leaders to commit to disarmament and world peace. This year, the student collected 79,244 signatures demonstrating that young people still feel strongly about global justice and peace.

Students around the world learn about the nuclear bomb attack on southern Japan in their history classes, but understanding the social and human impact of the attack is crucial to ensuring that Nagasaki remains the last city bombed, explained Koshiro Kusano. Born and raised in Nagasaki, Koshiro is familiar with stories of pain and suffering - his grandmother died from radiation complications soon after the attacks, long before he was born. “I think people must understand the pain within survivors to appreciate the terror of nuclear weapons,” he said. Sixty years after the bomb attack on Nagasaki, survivors are now elderly; the Peace Messengers hope to ensure their stories live on as a reminder of the importance of peace.

Dialogues and relationships are needed to ensure world peace, suggests Marina Futeta in her message. “There is a view that world power is balanced by obtaining nuclear weapons,” Marina said, “I think relationship and mutual trust will make for a peaceful world.”

Two Brazilians, a Peruvian and Korean along with four Japanese formed this year’s Peace Messengers. Selected after interviews and essay competition the young high school student feel honoured to advocate for peace and educate other young people on the dangers of nuclear war. This is the first delegation to include non-Japanese messengers.

The YWCA of Japan runs several programmes on peace and disarmament, the president of the YWCA of Nagasaki who is accompanying the Peace Messengers explained to World YWCA staff. Their latest campaign aims to bring the world’s attention to article 9 of Japanese constitution that renounces war as a means of settling international dispute. Postcards with the text of the ‘No war’ clause of the Japanese constitution are posted around the world.