From RfP Japan

In-person event

Religion and Science Discuss a “World Without Arms”

The 63rd Pugwash Conference of the Pugwash Conferences will be held in Hiroshima from November 1st to 5th, gathering scientists and experts from around the world. This time, we have invited the President of the Pugwash Conferences to host an event featuring dialogue between scientists and religious leaders. In 1970, at the opening ceremony and keynote address of the First World Conference of Religions for Peace (WCRP) held in Kyoto, Nobel Laureate in Physics Dr. Hideki Yukawa proposed a “World Without Arms.” This year, marking 80 years since the end of the war, we return to the origins of WCRP. Religious leaders and scientists will engage in dialogue, seeking together a path toward a future free of nuclear weapons.

◆Program
Co-organizer’s Greeting: Rev. Kenichiro Nakamura (Head, Stop! Nuclear Dependence Task Force)

Introduction: Prof. Masakatsu Yamazaki (Auditor, Pugwash Japan; Professor Emeritus, Tokyo Institute of Technology)

Keynote Address: Dr. Hussain Al-Shahristani (President, Pugwash Conferences; Former Deputy Prime Minister of Iraq)

Response from Religious Leaders
Rev. Yoshiharu Tomatsu (Chief Priest, Shinkoin Temple, Jodo Sect; Chair, Religions for Peace Japan)
Dr. Ketty Matsui (Visiting Professor, Institute for Christian Culture, Seisen University; Director, WCRP Japan Committee)
Mr. Makoto Mizutani (Representative Director, Japan Conference for the Revival of Religion and Faith; Member, Stop! Nuclear Dependence Task Force)
Rev. Masamichi Kamiya (Senior Advisor, ACRP; Member, Stop! Nuclear Dependence Task Force)

Responses from Pugwash Members
Prof. Masakatsu Yamazaki (Auditor, Pugwash Japan; Professor Emeritus, Tokyo Institute of Technology)
Prof. Sayaka Oki (Professor, Graduate School of Education, The University of Tokyo) *to be requested
Prof. Yoshiko Kurita (Vice-Chair, Pugwash Japan; Professor, Chiba University) *to be requested

◆Dr. Hussain Al-Shahristani
On May 21, 2024, he assumed the role of President of the Pugwash Conferences. An Iraqi scientist, scholar, and politician. He holds a Ph.D. in nuclear chemistry. In 1979, imprisoned for 11 years at Abu Ghraib Prison for refusing to cooperate with Iraq’s nuclear weapons program. Fled to Iran during the Gulf War, then returned to Iraq in 2005 and became First Deputy Speaker of the Interim National Assembly. From 2006 to 2016, he served as Minister of Oil (2006–2010), Deputy Prime Minister for Energy (2010–2014), Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs (2014), and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research (2014–2016). In 2012, he received the Freedom from Fear Award from the Roosevelt Foundation.

◆Information
❖Date and Time: Saturday, 8 November 14:00～16:30 (JST)
❖Venue: University of Tokyo Yamagami Hall Large Conference Room (at Hongo Campus)
❖FREE and Simultaneous interpretation available
❖Co-Organizers: Pugwash Japan and Religions for Peace Japan

◆Contact Religions for Peace Japan
Please complete the required information (your name, affiliation, and contact details such as email address) and submit your application via email, fax, or Google Form （ https://x.gd/sG0gi ）to the address below by Friday, 31 October.
2-7-1 Wada, Suginami-ku, Tokyo Fax: 03-3383-7993 rfpj-info@wcrp.or.jp | https://wcrp.or.jp

◆Flyer Flyer_November 8 Pugwash Conference and RfP Japan

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