Three staff members from YMCA China participated in the 2024 Hiroshima YMCA International Youth Peace Seminar.
At the invitation of the Hiroshima YMCA, Zhuang Linying, a staff member from the YMCA China, along with two volunteers from Shanghai YMCA and Wang Xuan from Xi’an YMCA, attended the seminar from August 3 to 8, said YMCA&YWCA China. This marked the first time the China YMCA National Council organized a group to participate in this event.
The theme of this year’s seminar was "Passing the Baton of Hope with Our Friends." A total of 44 participants, including youth students and YMCA staff from countries such as China, Japan, and the Philippines, attended the event. Besides listening to the testimony of atomic bomb survivors, they visited the atomic bomb sites, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, and Peace Memorial Park, participating in the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony, group discussions on peace seminar themes, and the tradition of releasing peace lanterns.
By listening to the testimony of 87-year-old survivor Ms. Keiko Ogura, participants gained a deeper understanding of the devastating destruction and indelible psychological trauma caused by the atomic bomb that exploded over Hiroshima 79 years ago.
The delegation from YMCA China also participated in the Hiroshima City Peace Memorial Ceremony and the Peace Lantern Release Ceremony under the Motoyasu Bridge.
During the closing ceremony, the three young representatives introduced YMCA China's special service projects conducted in collaboration with local YMCA branches, their advocacy and practice of peace education, and their ongoing efforts to promote regional and global peace.
Shanghai YMCA volunteer Xu Shuxin remarked, "I believe that through this visit to Hiroshima, people have a desire for peace. Peace should be born of mutual understanding, and this event has broadened my horizons and allowed me to make new friends."
Since its inception in 1978, many young people from YMCAs around the world have participated in the International Youth Peace Seminar (YPS), which is a flagship project of the Hiroshima YMCA. The project aims to educate young people about the causes, tragedies, and threats associated with war and to provide a platform for them to share their ideas and aspirations, as well as be committed to building peace.
