Basel Peace Office encourages you to take action for nuclear abolition on the 73rd anniversaries of the nuclear bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Here are some action ideas. For more details and actions download the 2018 nuclear_remembrance_and_action_week_guide .
1. Join a local Hiroshima or Nagasaki Day event
There are events happening around the world. Visit Hiroshima and Nagasaki Day events to see if there is an event near you.
2. Support the UN High-Level Conference
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) decided to hold a High-Level Conference on Nuclear Disarmament in 2018 to advance effective measures for nuclear disarmament and pave the way for the elimination of nuclear weapons through a global treaty. However, the pro-nuclear states prevented the conference from being held this year. (See Nuclear Weapon States' Long Arm Seen Behind Deferral of Landmark UN Conference). In October the UN will decide whether to re-schedule the event for next year, or drop it altogether.
Help ensure that the UN is not blocked from holding this important event to achieve a nuclear-weapon-free world. Call on your government to support the UN High Level Conference when the UNGA makes its decision this October.
For more information visit www.unfoldzero.org or contact info@pnnd.org.
3. Divest from Nuclear Weapons
Money makes the world go around. The corporations manufacturing nuclear weapons are fueling the nuclear arms race for their own financial gain. They actively lobby their parliaments and governments to continue allocating the funds to nuclear weapons. And they support think tanks and other public initiatives to promote the ‘need’ for nuclear weapons maintenance, modernization or expansion.
You can help curb the power of the nuclear weapons corporations by encouraging your university, church, city, bank or government to divest from nuclear weapons.
For more information visit www.nuclearweaponsmoney.org or contact info@nuclearweaponsmoney.org.
4. Fold an origami crane
It is believed that folding 1,000 origami cranes brings one a peaceful and healthy life. Following the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, origami crane folding became an action for peace and nuclear abolition, particularly for young people.
Action: Fold a crane and give to a friend. Organise a crane-making workshop at your local school, youth group, workplace or place of worship.
Resources:
5. Join the International Fast for nuclear abolition
Every year, an International Fast is held in several countries worldwide between Hiroshima and Nagasaki days (6th-9th August). Fast by yourself, set up a group of fasters, or join one of the groups fasting in France, Germany, New Zealand, Togo, United Kingdom or USA. Contact Marc Morgan, Angie Zelter or Dominique Lalanne.
6. Endorse the Hibakusha Appeal for the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons
In April 2016, Hidankyo, the Japan Confederation of A and H Bomb Sufferers Organizations, launched an appeal for the total elimination of nuclear weapons. The appeal, which was co-sponsored by the Korean and US associations of Atomic Bomb Victims and supported by Gensuikyo, calls on all governments to conclude a treaty to prohibit and eliminate nuclear weapons, i.e. a nuclear weapons convention. People around the world are invited to endorse the appeal. Click here to see the appeal. Send your endorsement to Hidankyo.
7. Engage your legislator
Parliamentarians play a key role in determining government policy regarding nuclear abolition. They are able to ask questions in parliament (to which governments have to reply), propose motions, release joint statements and organise events.
Over 800 parliamentarians from across the political spectrum have joined Parliamentarians for Nuclear Non-proliferation and Disarmament (PNND), the international network of parliamentarians working to acheive a nuclear-weapon-free world.
Actions:
- Invite your legislator/parliamentarian to join PNND;
- Ask your legislator/parliamentarian to call on your government to support the UN High-Level Conference on Nuclear Disarmament