Conclusion: Importance of Citizen-Led Initiatives

As mentioned herein, a true culture of peace based on the will for peace of the hibakusha must take root in local communities in order to achieve lasting peace.

In city planning, municipal governments coordinate social capital, which is comprised of mutual trust and connections, as well as cultural capital, such as people’s abilities and nature, using their authority and the measures available to them. However, these so-called “soft” or intangible elements of city planning differ from the “hard” or tangible elements in that soft city planning cannot be tackled by municipal government alone. Only with citizen-led participation can we truly begin to work on the soft elements of city planning.

The culture of peace is much the same. Municipal governments must work to create city planning that incorporates the culture of peace. However, even though municipal governments can propose that citizens should desire peace in order to live happy lives, and that they consider and take action for the realization of peace in their own ways, but in the end, the ones who must actually take action are the citizens themselves.

When citizens take the lead and practice what they can for peace, the results build upon each other to create momentum that becomes the driving force to move world policymakers to work for peace. As a result, citizens will be able to enjoy the peace they have created to lead fulfilling lives.

The City of Hiroshima believes that it is our job as an autonomous body to steadily promote citizen-led initiatives that help to build the culture of peace. In addition, as the TPNW has been established as an international norm, we will work to promote it as a road map for civil society. Together with more than 8,200 Mayors for Peace member cities in 166 countries and regions, the City of Hiroshima aims to help the culture of peace take root around the world. We want to make the abolition of nuclear weapons, and the realization of lasting world peace that comes with their abolition, the consensus of civil society.

1) The Atomic Bombing and the Will of Hiroshima
2) Becoming an International Peace Culture City
3) What is the Culture of Peace?
4) The Significance of Promoting the Culture of Peace
5) Promoting the Culture of Peace is the Role of Cities
6) The Will for Peace Based on the Realities of the Atomic Bombing
7) Promotion of the Culture of Peace by Mayors for Peace​

Inquiries regarding this page

Peace Promotion Division, Citizens Affairs Bureau
Tel: 81-82-242-7831/Fax: 81-82-242-7452
E-mail: peace@city.hiroshima.lg.jp