Ten Thousand Things
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"Ten Thousand Things" is a Buddhist expression representing the dynamic interconnection and simultaneous unity and diversity of everything in the universe.

PEACE BOAT HIBAKUSHA PROJECT: Global Voyage for a Nuclear-Free World

PEACE BOAT, a Japan-based, international NGO working since
1983 to promote peace and sustainability through
peace voyages onboard a passenger ship, departed from Yokohama
on September 7 2008, for its 63rd GLOBAL VOYAGE FOR PEACE.

101 Hibakusha (Atomic Bomb Survivors) of Hiroshima and
Nagasaki joined this voyage to share their testimonies about
the atomic bombings of their cities with people around the world.
Participating Hibakusha are from Korea, Brazil, Canada and
Australia, as well as Japan.

Through direct interaction with youth, citizens, NGOs and
victims of wars from other parts of the world, the Hibakusha will act as peace and disarmament educators,
raising awareness on the destructiveness of nuclear weapons and the human costs of war.
They will also add their voices to the call to abolish all nuclear weapons.
And they will share their alternative vision for peace and global stability that
does not rely on force.

In commemoration of Peace Boat's 25th Anniversary, this voyage
will energize the global network of citizens working
for peace and nuclear abolition. The participants will visit
22 ports in 20 countries. Highlights will include exchanges with victims
of Agent Orange in Viet Nam – a public event in India, now a nuclear
state – visiting the Hiroshima-Nagasaki Square with the Mayor of Telde,
Spain – a peace festival and possible meeting with President Chavez in
Venezuela – giving testimony at the UN General Assembly in New York, USA –
exchange with victims of nuclear testing in Tahiti – and a national
conference and proposed meeting with Prime Minister Rudd in Sydney,
Australia. Joint activities with the “Mayors for Peace” campaign,
coordinated by the Mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, will also take
place in all ports.

This is likely to be the first and only time in world history for such
a large group of Hibakusha to travel and share their experiences
directly with citizens around the world. This historic peace project
enabling global dialogue and exchange between Hibakusha, victims
of nuclear test bombings, other victims of war, is supported by many
Japanese and international NGOs, Nobel Peace Laureates, as well as
individuals worldwide who yearn for and work for peacebuilding.

In recent years, because of concerns about the aging of Hibakusha,
more efforts have been made to preserve their testimonies. One
online source is "VOICES OF HIBAKUSHA," transcripts from the documentary
Hiroshima Witness produced by Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation
and NHK, the Japanese public television broadcasting
company.

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