2011 Evening for Peace

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SANTA BARBARA, October 9 -- Over 250 people came together at the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation's 28th Annual Evening for Peace to celebrate the accomplishments of two distinguished peace leaders (See photo gallery.)

On October 9, 2011, the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation honored Tadatoshi Akiba and Shigeko Sasamori at the Coral Casino in Santa Barbara, California.
Shigeko Sasamori. Photo by Rick Carter Shigeko Sasamori, a survivor of the US atomic bombing of Hiroshima, accepted the Foundation's World Citizenship Award on behalf of all hibakusha of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Ms. Sasamori was 13 years-old at the time of the atomic bombing, and has dedicated most of her life to spreading the message of the hibakusha: that no one should ever have to suffer the effects of a nuclear weapon ever again.

“We hope that all of you with us this evening, and particularly the students, will be inspired to become Peace Leaders. We need you and the world needs you.”

-- David Krieger
President
Nuclear Age Peace Foundation

Tadatoshi Akiba. Photo by Rick Carter
In his address, Tadatoshi Akiba, former Mayor of Hiroshima and past President of Mayors for Peace, highlighted the urgent need to abolish all nuclear weapons by the year 2020. Dr. Akiba, who accepted the Foundation's Distinguished Peace Leadership Award, continues to advocate for a world free of nuclear weapons after stepping down as Mayor of Hiroshima in April 2011 after three terms.

The generosity of Foundation donors made it possible for more than 100 students to attend the event for free. Many of them will continue to be involved with the Foundation through the Peace Leadership Program, the Action Alert Network and the internship program.

The Foundation would like to thank all the people and organizations who contributed financial resources, time, creativity and in-kind donations to make the Evening for Peace a success. Your support allows us to be an effective voice of conscience as well as a catalyst for change in this urgent time for nuclear abolition. We are deeply grateful for your generosity.