The APEC Junior Conference

Sharing the thoughts of the participants

I would like everyone to live in harmony without restrictions.

We cannot live without peace if we want to be happy and have a prosperous life.

It is difficult to imagine how the city suffered such a horrible tragedy. The ruins, the fire, the dust columns, the ashes, and thousands of innocent lives lost.

I realized that A-bombs'power is so much greater than I thought. I feel grief and unfairness for those who had to suffer and go through all this tragedy.

Let's give love and prayer because that is the work of peace.

Peace is a responsibility to be kept in mind. Live in harmony with others, including the environment.

I heard about the story of Sadako and all the people who died in Hiroshima because of the atomic bomb. I feel so sad about that because there were innocent people involved.

I knew that I would visit the museum, but when I was there, it had a big impact on me. When I saw that mother with the baby, I thought of my own mother and my little brother and I started to cry. It was very sad to me.

I believe through international cooperation and communication we can truly address issues of peace. Also, to begin the process of world peace, I believe nuclear disarmament is the first step that needs to be taken.

I feel inspired to go back to my country to be an ambassador of peace, to tell my experience to my fellow family, friends and Singaporeans about the importance of peace among the country and on a global scale.

Although I studied about the atomic bomb in school, I didn't learn about it in much depth. After visiting the museum, I think I can understand how cruel the A-bomb was. After seeing this, I really felt that it was important to spread how threatening this bomb is to people all around the world. Even if our efforts are small, that's okay, because I think they can grow into something bigger. So I think everyone should start doing the little things they can towards peace.
When I go back to my country, I would like to tell my friends and family what I saw here. I would like to bring my friends back here one day and explain my experiences to them.

I was very deeply moved. I had come to Hiroshima expecting, and thinking, that nuclear disarmament was inevitable. However, after listening to his presentation, I am even more determined to combat it, and recognize its importance to the world. I feel as though I was ignorant and unknowledgeable for all this time. I hope that I will learn more during this trip.

Peace is nearly impossible to achieve, and as long as people do not trust each other, the atomic bomb can never be erased from the face of the earth. I don't think that my thoughts have changed. I still believe that these weapons of mass destruction should never be used.

Peace is relative.

It was really shocking to see the bomb's destruction through the photos and other things. And after listening to the A-bomb survivor and imagining the sights he was seeing, I think that I couldn't stand that situation if I was him and I would break down after coming into contact with a disaster like that.

It is my wish to work in any way I can to get rid of nuclear weapons. The exhibition and pictures shocked me and made me realize deeply how powerful and deadly nuclear bombs and wars are. The fact that Hiroshima was bombed completely is a bit hard to imagine, and I'm amazed how wonderfully Hiroshima became a peaceful city.

I believe atomic bombs have no place in our world.

I felt horrible for the victims of the atomic bombing in Hiroshima, seeing that they were suffering, bleeding, and desperate for water. I thought that the Hiroshima citizens whose family members were victims of the bombing are very depressed. Seeing the pictures of the bombing has made me realize that war is not the solution, it only makes innocent people suffer.

I was shocked that people who weren't responsible for the war were killed in a terrible way by an American attack that was so extreme. We can't say which one was to blame. Both countries were at war and both were at fault. Since both sides in a fight are to blame, the United States and Japan should both show remorse for their actions.

My opinions on peace have just become stronger. In school, when we learned about the atomic bomb, we learned more from an American perspective. Now, I can see and understand a different and more emotional perspective.

I feel really touched and hope that I can bring the message of peace back to my country as well as encourage the people of the world to think about the importance of world peace.

I believe that if people learned from their past and tried their very best to create a better, peaceful future, the world would definitely be better!

I felt very emotional. I tried to comprehend what had happened but I knew that I could never feel what the people of Hiroshima have endured. I feel that nuclear disarmament should not be a choice, it should be an ultimatum.

The peace museum was really interesting, because it showed the true history of the conditions the people were in after the bomb exploded. I felt very sad when I saw how people were struggling to get water. The A-bomb was a terrible thing and we should make sure that such a thing never happens again.

I felt deeply touched by the introductions and pictures in the museum. For a roof tile to have melted in that way, the environment must have been inhospitable for any human beings. I really agree that this kind of weapon should not be used under any circumstances.

I want to take action, even if it's small, and try to spread it among the people around me.

I learned the importance of taking action, not simply coming up with ideas.

They're very interesting because I can hear different perspectives on the same, seemingly simple topic of education.

I think it is an excellent opportunity to practice teamwork and creativity. It is also a challenge to express our own ideas while respecting others' opinions.

When I return to my country, I want to convey the importance of enjoying the fact that we have different cultures living together.

We should learn about the attitude of students in Hiroshima who are making efforts for peace.

The workshops are very stimulating. I have enjoyed the short time that I have spent in the workshops with the other members.

I think that the workshops are very interesting and a great chance to hear the opinions of people from different parts of the world. It is amazing when such a diverse group of people can actually agree on one thing. I really enjoy the workshops and a suggestion for future conferences could be to initiate more group conversation from ALL group members and mix people up within each group so that different people can work together.

I want to explain to people in Thailand, where two ethnic groups are at odds, how youth from nineteen nations and religions came together here and were united.

The workshops are very meaningful and valuable. We have talked a lot and accepted some completely new opinions from others. Also, we recognized problems about trade and food shortage. It is very necessary and important to build a peaceful world and to ensure a long prosperity.

Everyone's enthusiasm for conveying his or her opinions was great!