Nuclear Disarmament and World Peace – Gr. 10 Student Essay Contest
Grade 10 History and Civics students are invited to participate in an essay contest on the topic of Nuclear Disarmament and World Peace. This contest is the inspiration of Setsuko Thurlow, a survivor of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945 and internationally recognized advocate for nuclear disarmament.
The contest offers students the opportunity to research issues of peace, war and nuclear disarmament and to write an essay of up to 1000 words. The contest is offered in both the first and second semesters in the 2024 – 2025 school year.
Who is eligible:
Teachers may submit one (1) essay per class from Grade 10 History or Civics classes, in both the first and second semester of the 2024 – 2025 school year.
Prizes:
First place: $500.00
Second place: $300.00
Third place: $200.00
Prizes sponsored by the Hiroshima Nagasaki Day Coalition
Deadline to register for the first semester – Friday, December 6, 2024
Deadline to submit essays for the first semester – Friday, January 10, 2025
Essay Topic:
The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and World Peace
Since the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, why and how have advocates campaigned to reduce and eliminate nuclear weapons in the world and promote world peace?
Supported by:
Ontario History and Social Science Teachers’ Association, Hiroshima Nagasaki Day Coalition and Ontario Justice Education Network
How to participate:
- Register your class using the registration link by December 6, 2024.
- Teachers can submit one essay per class in each semester.
- The deadline for submitting essays in the first semester is January 10, 2025.
- Essays must be sent in PDF format and include the student’s name, teacher’s name, class (Civics or History), and school
- Email the essay to essaycontest@ojen.ca
- Include in the subject line: Essay contest_Teacher name_ School name
Registration:
Background:
Setsuko Thurow was a 13 year old student in Hiroshima when an atomic bomb was dropped on the city on August 6,1945. Surviving the blast, Setsuko has dedicated her life to campaigning for nuclear disarmament. She was active in negotiating for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which was adopted by the United Nations in 2017. She is a founding member and tireless campaigner for the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN). She was a co-recipient representing ICAN when the organization received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017. Setsuko lives in Toronto. Among her many honours, she was invested into the Order of Canada in 2007 for exceptional contribution to social work and efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons.
International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) is a coalition of non-governmental organizations in over one hundred countries promoting adherence to and implementation of the United Nations Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.
The Hiroshima Nagasaki Day Coalition (HNDC) brings together local peace and community groups to remember the loss of lives from the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945 and works to educate the public on the dangers of nuclear weapons. Every year in August, the HNDC organizes Toronto’s commemoration for Hiroshima and Nagasaki at Toronto City Hall, as well as performs outreach throughout the year on issues related to nuclear disarmament. Setsuko Thurlow is its founding member.
