The blast from the 1954 nuclear weapons test on Bikini Atoll (Image: Public Domain; US Dept of Energy)
On the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima, the Planetary Health Initiative and the Blue Mountains Peace Collective hosted a Peace Symposium and Community Picnic to provide pathways for everyone to take steps for a more peaceful future. The event kicked off ICAN’s Week of Action for the Abolition [of Nuclear Weapons] and everyone was asked to send a message to the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to urge them to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons in this term. You can add your voice to this urgent call here
Key Points:
- Nuclear Abolition Campaign: The symposium marked the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima, urging Australia to sign the Treaty on Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons through ICAN’s Week of Action.
- Community-wide Peace Building: Over 130 participants heard diverse speakers emphasising that peace requires whole-of-community engagement, from addressing local social injustice to international diplomacy.
- Key presenters included Japanese journalist Harumi Hayakawa, Quaker Rosemary Morrow, Rotarian Jennifer Scott, artist Matilda Emmerich, ICAN Ambassador Robert Tickner, Indonesian Ambassador Dr Siswo Pramono, MP Susan Templeman, and Mayor Mark Greenhill.
The Blue Mountains Peace Collective reflected on the inaugural Blue Mountains Peace Symposium and Community Picnic:
The foundations of sustainable peace must be built through a culture of peace in the minds and actions of people worldwide. As defined by the United Nations, the Culture of Peace is a “set of values, attitudes, modes of behaviour and ways of life that reject violence and prevent conflicts by tackling their root causes to solve problems through dialogue and negotiation among individuals, groups and nations” (UN Resolutions A/RES/52/13).
Real sustainable Peace is:
• an end to violent conflict,
• an end to injustices, and
• a culture of peace.
Peace is not something we achieve, peace must be worked for and practised daily, Dharug man, Chris Tobin, reminded the large audience gathered for the Blue Mountains Peace Symposium and Picnic. That Saturday, August 2nd, truly was one of the coldest, wettest, most miserable days of winter, but Chris Tobin’s warm welcome and opening remarks set the tone for the symposium: peace is a whole of community need, the ‘business’ of all of us, at all times.
Chris Tobin’s opening address
The symposium was a collaboration of the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative and the Blue Mountains Peace Collective, held at the Planetary Health Centre in Katoomba. The August 2nd date was chosen to mark the 80th anniversary of the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima. The symposium was thus part of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons’ (ICAN) Week of Action.
Harumi Hayakawa on Peace in Japan.
With the effects of nuclear weapons and the necessity for communities to promote, work on and embrace peace in everyday life both front of mind, it was fitting that the first speaker of the day was Japanese journalist Harumi Hayakawa. Harumi reminded us of the very great human cost of war; of why working for peace is so important.
Later, in the lunch break, she helped children and adults to make the origami cranes that remain a poignant symbol of the desire for life of Sadako Sasaki, a child victim of the Hiroshima bomb.
Harumi teaching participants how to make origami cranes during the Peace Picnic.
Following on from Harumi, Jennifer Scott stated: ‘Peace is not the absence of war, it is the absence of want.’ Jennifer is an active Rotarian for peace. Both internationally and locally, Rotary engages in promoting peace through on-the-ground work (building education, ameliorating poverty), by providing peace studies fellowships and much more.
Jennifer, who works in education in Cambodia, encouraged the audience in hope, in doing what we each can do to develop a world where social justice makes peace possible.
Rotary International Director, Jennifer Scott
Similarly, Rowe Morrow OAM, in a video presentation, spoke of the long and influential work of Quakers toward a fairer and more peaceful world, whether that be through protest (Quakers being early among the protestors at Pine Gap), international activism (Quakers have a UN presence, as does Rotary) or local community support work.
Rowe Morrow speaking on Quakers and Peace
Attendees at the symposium ranged in age (it was great to see some children there) and this, too, was reflected in the morning session presentations. There was history of past peace actions: a screening of the 1946 documentary, ‘Indonesia Calling’, which movingly portrayed Australian Waterside Workers unionists refusing, and convincing others to join them in refusing, to service Dutch ships in Australian ports post-war. These ships were transporting armaments with the aim of the Dutch regaining control of the recently independent Indonesian population: united, local action helped prevent that outcome.
Peace Collective member Bruce Cornwell described past successful protests, and discussed potential future actions. Emerging activists, too, stood up to be counted: Year 11 student, Matilda Emmerich, already an artist and poet, presented her work, Where Hope Sits, giving older activists hope for the future.
Artist Matilda Emmerich
There was more hope and pertinent comment in the performances of Ecopella and the Bearded Ladies community choirs, and in the lunchtime activities, for children and adults alike, in origami, badgemaking, book learning (local bookshop, RoseyRavelston) and in sharing picnic food from Bibi’s Kitchen.
Ecopella Community Choir
The afternoon session, chaired by Nick Franklin, emphasised the importance of formal, governmental promotion of peace, particularly in working to abolish nuclear weapons. Robert Tickner, Ambassador to ICAN (International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons), pointed to Australia having already supported the banning of land mines, cluster munitions and other weapons of war – and argued, eloquently, that it is time the Australian government took the next steps and signed and ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). This signing, he suggested would also enable Australia to develop more independent foreign and strategic policies.
ICAN Ambassador, Robert Tickner’s presentation
Blue Mountains Mayor, Mark Greenhill, member of the international Mayors for Peace, a group originally founded in 1982 by the mayor of Hiroshima, recognised the need for community action – campaigns against family violence, for gender equality and diversity, for example – as the essential supports for viable peace.
Mayor Mark Greenhill’s presentation
Our local federal member, Susan Templeman, outlined the federal government’s activities and policies in relation to the promotion of peace, noting that the Labor Party was committed to the signing of the TPNW (but when, the audience asked? When?).
Susan Templeman’s presentation
The three Australian representatives were joined by H.E. Dr Siswo Pramono, Indonesian Ambassador to Australia: the Indonesian government having become, in 2024, one of the 94 signatories to TPNW. Dr Pramono spoke as an advocate for Australia’s signing of the treaty to abolish nuclear weapons ASAP.
Dr Siswo Pramono’s presentation
Well over a hundred people filled the audience seats at the symposium and their questions and comments were an essential part of the ongoing conversation throughout the day. Given current events, many comments concerned the unjustified and unjustifiable imposition of unbearable conflict on the people of Gaza. Actions were discussed – sanctions, pressure on Australian and international politicians and governments, protests, local supports and more.
Australia’s problematic commitment to AUKUS and nuclear submarines received several mentions, as it should. The cost of these submarines could fund so much for so many Australians – reminding us all, yet again, that a world that favours war over peace is a world in which humans suffer terribly in conflicts, and also unnecessarily through lack of service provision, when money is instead spent on weaponry that kills.
Fortunately, early on the day, the news came through that the March for Humanity would proceed across Sydney Harbour Bridge the following day. We expected it then, and know now, that the march was HUGE and the Blue Mountains was brilliantly represented.
In all, the Peace Symposium of August the 2nd was a remarkable event. As Robert Tickner said, ‘today (was) absolutely inspirational’.
With many thanks to all who volunteered and participated,
… the Blue Mountains Peace Collective.
Take Action:
- Add your name to the ICAN Australia petition to the Australian Government to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons here
- Get involved with the actions of the Blue Mountains Peace Collective. Learn more here
- Subscribe to our newsletter to learn more about actions you can take and to hear about our upcoming events
