Dhesarme Members Participate in the Hiroshima ICAN Academy 2026 Program
- Jul 25
- 4 min read
Between June 16 and July 2, DHESARME members Fernando Fiala, Júlia Marcon, and Maria Eduarda de Oliveira participated in the online sessions of the Hiroshima ICAN Academy on Nuclear Weapons and Global Security 2026. The program is organized annually by the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), the City of Hiroshima, and the Japanese organization Hiroshima Organization for Global Peace (HOPe). Aiming to develop global leaders capable of making concrete contributions to a more peaceful and secure world, this year's program was held under the theme "Bridging divides to advance nuclear disarmament."
The first webinar focused on the humanitarian impacts of nuclear weapons and featured two survivors affected by these weapons. Kazuhiko Futagawa is an in utero hibakusha, meaning that he was in his mother's womb when the atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima and was born eight months after the bombing. During the event, Futagawa shared more about his family's history and the challenges faced by in utero hibakusha, highlighting the experiences of those born with microcephaly who endured social stigma and a lack of medical support. Mary Dickson is a writer, nuclear disarmament activist, and survivor of the nuclear tests conducted by the United States in Nevada. Mary emphasized the feeling of betrayal experienced by members of her community when they realized that the health complications they were facing, including cancers and infertility, were the result of tests carried out by their own government: "We worried about the Russians' nuclear bombs, but in the end it was our own country's bombs that attacked us."
In the second webinar, participants learned more about the social, environmental, and economic impacts of nuclear weapons through a presentation by Robert Jacobs, a historian and writer whose research focuses on nuclear colonialism and the impacts of nuclear testing. Jacobs emphasized the severe consequences of residual radiation from radioactive particles, which remain in the environment after nuclear explosions and can contaminate soil, water, food, and the human body. He highlighted that communities affected by nuclear testing experience consequences that extend far beyond the initial exposure, including impacts on the traditional ways of life of many Indigenous peoples, resulting in forced displacement, constant uncertainty about their own health and that of their families, and cultural disruption through the loss of traditional livelihoods.
The third webinar, delivered by Dr. Laura Considine, focused on the concept of nuclear deterrence. It explored the different forms of deterrence (minimum, limited, and maximum), the nuclear doctrines adopted by countries such as China, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, and Russia, and how factors including the security environment, domestic politics, and international norms shape these strategies. The session also addressed the dilemmas of deterrence, such as arms racing, the need for second-strike capability, and the risks of accidents, miscalculations, and unintended escalation, particularly in a multipolar world with a growing number of nuclear-armed states. Finally, the lecture emphasized the importance of nuclear risk reduction initiatives aimed at decreasing the likelihood of the intentional, accidental, or unauthorized use of nuclear weapons.
In the fourth webinar, participants had the opportunity to hear from Melissa Parke and Seth Shelden of ICAN, who discussed the humanitarian impacts of nuclear weapons and the role of civil society in advancing nuclear disarmament. Melissa marked the 80th anniversary of the nuclear tests in the Marshall Islands and recalled that other communities, including Indigenous peoples affected by the Nevada tests and Korean survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, have historically had their experiences overlooked. She emphasized the broader dimension of nuclear colonialism and highlighted the importance of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) for recognizing the specific impacts on women, girls, and Indigenous peoples. Seth underscored the role of civil society in amplifying the voices of historically marginalized communities and in reshaping the narrative surrounding nuclear weapons. The online phase of the program concluded with the fifth webinar, during which participants heard from Jason Robinson, Deputy Permanent Representative of the Permanent Mission of Ireland to the United Nations in Geneva to the Conference on Disarmament.
Fernando Fiala, DHESARME Content Editor, described the experience as "unique in combining a deeper understanding of how nuclear weapons function and their geopolitical dimension with an examination of the devastating and irreversible impacts these weapons have on civilian populations, the environment, and the protection of human rights, human dignity, and the planet itself. Having the privilege of hearing directly from experts, hibakusha, diplomats, and other distinguished figures enriched the course by allowing us to learn firsthand about the history and work of people who dedicate their lives to the fight against nuclear weapons." When asked about the highlights of the program, DHESARME member Maria Eduarda de Oliveira stated: "What impacted me the most was gaining an even deeper understanding that the destruction does not end when a nuclear weapon explodes. Its consequences continue for many years, affecting the health, quality of life, and future of thousands of people, especially children and future generations."
Júlia Marcon, Dhesarme Communications Director, who also participated in the program last year, highlighted that the most remarkable aspect of both experiences was the opportunity to hear directly from the hibakusha and learn their stories: "We are the last generation to have this unique opportunity to speak with survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings. Our mission is to preserve and share these stories, keeping this legacy alive. I am deeply grateful to this program for everything I experienced and learned, and seeing other young people have the opportunity to hear from professionals, survivors, and activists was incredible. Initiatives like this are essential to building a more peaceful future."
By actively participating in programs such as this, Dhesarme reaffirms its commitment to promoting humanitarian disarmament and peace education, and congratulates the organizations responsible for the program for strengthening dialogue, preserving historical memory, and fostering the engagement of young leaders in building a world free of nuclear weapons.
25/07/2026 BRT
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