Conveying A Message of Peace to the World
Ms. Thurlow holds her commendation with Acting Consul-General of Japan Nobuaki Yamamoto.
Toronto peace educator Setsuko Thurlow received a Foreign Minister's Commendation at a ceremony at the official residence of the Consul-General of Japan on August 25.
Ms. Thurlow suffered the atomic bombing of Hiroshima when she was 13 years old. After immigrating to Canada, she found Canadians often did not possess much awareness of nuclear weapons, and so, in 1975, she held the first Hiroshima Day in front of Toronto City Hall. She also organized the first photographic exhibit in Canada on the bombing in order to spread awareness of the horrors of nuclear weapons. As well, as one of the few survivors of the bomb who speaks English, she has been invited to the United Nations to speak on her experiences. She has advocated to the world for the total ban of nuclear weapons, and also promoted friendship between Japan and the international community.
Ms. Thurlow said at the ceremony that she very much appreciates the honour of receiving the Foreign Minister's Commendation. She said she and other atomic bomb victims have worked to convey the horrors of nuclear weapons to the world for many years. She said they will continue to push toward a world without nuclear weapons so that the death of her peers would not be in vain. To the Japanese Government, she expressed her strong hope that the country will take a leadership role in the total ban on nuclear weapons.
Ms. Thurlow speaks with National Association of Japanese Canadians President Ken Noma.
Ms. Thurlow spoke to each of the invited quests , and tirelessly posed for photographs until the event came to a close. Her gracious composure made clear why she would be so widely admired and respected.
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