Canadian Academy’s Grade 12 student, Lorea Fujii, has dedicated the last three years to promoting global peace through her involvement with Nihon Hidankyo, an organization recently awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize. This recognition highlights the group’s tireless advocacy for the abolition of nuclear weapons and their work in raising awareness of the catastrophic impacts of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings of 1945. The press release can be viewed here.
Lorea’s journey into activism began three years ago on a school trip to Hiroshima. Motivated by CA’s core value of critical inquiry, she reflected on the questions, “Why didn’t we learn about peace sooner?” and “Why do nuclear weapons still exist today?” Guided by Ms. Endo-Crum, Lorea was introduced to the Hiroshima Nagasaki Peace Messengers, a group open to Japanese-speaking high school students committed to creating a nuclear-free world.
After a rigorous application process, out of approximately 1000 members, Lorea was one of the few selected students to go abroad to represent the group. As survivors of the Hiroshima Nagasaki bombings were too sick or old to go abroad, Lorea shared the testimonies and memories (one of them can be found on this link) of those who suffered, to a global audience. Her responsibilities included collecting and delivering over 15,000 signatures, and presenting them to the UN, having open discussions and advocating for nuclear disarmament at the Japanese Parliament and international embassies, and presenting the case to the Nobel Peace Prize committee in Norway, in June. These roles demanded confidence, resilience, commitment, and a deep understanding of the survivors’ experiences and the lasting effects of nuclear weapons, such as trauma, cancer, and irreversible physical damage.
On October 11th, 2024, Nihon Hidankyo celebrated with tears of joy upon being named Nobel Peace Prize winner. The receipt of the award could not have been more timely, given the current political global tension. Reflecting on this achievement, Lorea expressed pride but emphasized that the prize marks the beginning of a larger mission to amplify awareness about nuclear weapons’ devastating consequences. She passionately advocates for reaching younger audiences, believing that the next generation has the power to enact lasting change.
Lorea is also part of the CA High School service club, Aogiri, who meet every Friday, to discuss social issues. As Lorea prepares to graduate, she knows her time as a High School Peace Messenger will end. However, she plans to study in the US and remains committed to continuing her advocacy work and sharing the stories of hibakusha (atomic bomb survivors) to ensure their voices are heard worldwide.
Lorea’s contributions demonstrate the transformative power of education, the strength of CA’s values, and the ability of young people to drive meaningful change on a global scale. Through her work, she inspires her peers to think critically, act compassionately, and strive for a world of peace.
We have put together a few resources below, to find out more about Hiroshima and Nagasaki and activism:
