Nuclear disarmament essay contest
Grade 10 History and Civics students are invited to participate in an essay contest on Canada’s role in the development of nuclear weapons and the campaign for nuclear disarmament and world peace. This contest is the inspiration of Setsuko Thurlow, a survivor of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in 1945 and an internationally recognized Canadian advocate for nuclear disarmament.
The contest offers students the opportunity to research issues of peace, nuclear weapons, war, international diplomacy and to write an essay of up to 1000 words. The contest is offered in the second semester of the 2025 – 2026 school year.
Who is eligible:
Teachers may submit one (1) essay per class from Grade 10 History or Civics classes, in semester two of the 2025 – 2026 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 – Friday, May 8, 2026
Deadline to submit essays – Friday, June 5, 2026
Essay Topic:
Canada’s Role in the Development of Nuclear Weapons and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and World Peace
80 years ago, with atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the world entered the Nuclear Age.
How and why did Canada and some Canadians become involved in the development of nuclear weapons, how have some Canadians campaigned for nuclear disarmament, and what should Canada and Canadian citizens do moving forward?
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 Friday, May 8, 2026
- Teachers can submit one essay per Grade 10 History and Civics class
- Deadlines for submitting essays is June 5, 2026
- Essays must be sent in PDF format and include the student’s name, teacher’s name, class (Civics or History), and school name, address and phone number. Essays should include brief endnotes on sources referenced in the essay and a bibliography.
- Email the essay to essaycontest@ojen.ca
- Include in the subject line: Essay contest_Teacher name_ School name
Classroom Introduction to the Essay Topic:
This year we are inviting teachers to show Anton Wagner’s 42 minute online film, “Our Hiroshima” to introduce their class to the roles of Canadian politicians, scientists and miners in the development of the first nuclear bombs in the 1940s and to see how activists like Setsuko Thurlow have campaigned for nuclear disarmament and world peace. A list of some additional online sources is provided. Students may reference some of these resources individually and in groups to research the issues.
Wagner, Anton. Our Hiroshima. Anton Wagner Productions, 1995. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnLk8eczE34
Register by May 8, 2026:
Background
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.
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 catastrophe, Setsuko has dedicated her life to campaigning for nuclear disarmament. She is a founding member and tireless campaigner for the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN). She was active in negotiating for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which was adopted by the United Nations in 2017. She was a co-recipient representing ICAN when the organization received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2017. Setsuko had moved to Canada with her Canadian husband, Jim, in 1955 and lives in Toronto. Among her many honours, she was invested into the Order of Canada in 2007 for her contribution to social work and efforts to eliminate nuclear weapons.
Downloads
Ontario Grade 10 Essay Contest Online Resources
Suggestions for integrating the essay contest into grade 10 courses
Introduction Letter from HNDC 2026
- Audience
- Youth
- Area of law
- International Law