It has been 80 years since the horror of nuclear weapons was first unleashed with the US bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Find out how to stop this madness and grow a Movement for Peace.

Learn from veterans of the Peace Movement, groups like ICAN, Rotary and Quakers, and young activists, as we chart a way forward together for a more peaceful world.

The Symposium kicks off a Week of Action for the Abolition of Nuclear Weapons by ICAN - The International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons.

It includes internationally renowned speakers including Robert Tickner AO, the Ambassador for ICAN, and Dr Siswo Pramono: Indonesian Ambassador; as well as a community forum, a film screening, an exhibition, a Community Peace Picnic with activities for the whole family, and live music by Ecopella and the Bearded Ladies Community Choir. It offers multiple paths for action as we work together for social justice, conflict resolution, and to rid the world of these weapons of mass destruction.

The Symposium has been organised by the Blue Mountains Peace Collective and the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative with the support of ICAN Australia.

Getting to the Planetary Health Centre

Via public transport - catch the 686G bus from outside the Carrington Hotel, Katoomba Street (on the Main Street, just across from Katoomba Station on the right-hand side of the road), to Acacia St after The Escarpments. The buses run every 20 minutes and take 10 minutes. You can view the bus timetable here.

	PROGRAM
	ADVOCATING FOR PEACE
1Oam	Welcome by Dharug man, Chris Tobin
10.10am	Japanese journalist Harumi Hayakawa	Harumi will speak on the nuclear bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki 80 years ago this month, and actions for Peace in Japan
10.25am	Rotary: Jennifer Scott AM	Jennifer will speak on Rotary’s work for social justice and Positive Peace
10.45am	Quakers: Rowe Morrow OAM	Rowe will speak on Quakers' action for Peace including social justice, divestment, conflict resolution, direct action and conscientious objection.
11.05am	Screening of Indonesia Calling (20mins)	The inspiring 1946 Documentary in which trade union seamen and waterside workers refused to service Dutch ships containing arms and ammunition destined for Indonesia to suppress the Country’s Independence movement.
11.30am	Youth Voices	Presentations by young people in the Mountains.
12.00pm	How do we respond to a world at war? A conversation and community discussion on ways forward.	The Blue Mountains Peace Collective and the Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative. The conversation will be a starting point for the community to respond and chart way forward.
12.30pm	COMMUNITY PEACE PICNIC	Food, exhibition, stalls, badge making, Origami crane making, and live music with Ecopella and the Bearded Ladies Community Choir.
2pm	FORUM: BAN THE BOMB, SIGN THE TREATY MC: Nick Franklin	Responding to the 80th Anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and ICAN’s Week of Action
	Mayor Mark Greenhill: Mayors for Peace	Blue Mountains City Council is a signatory for Mayors for Peace
	Blue Mountains Peace Collective and Blue Mountains Planetary Health Initiative	A brief introduction by the organisers of the event, sharing ways for everyone to get involved.
	Robert Tickner AO: ICAN’s Ambassador discussing the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and its significance to regional and global peace.	Robert Tickner is a former Australian Minister in the Hawke and Keating Governments; author; humanitarian campaigner; and nuclear weapons ban and prison reform advocate.
	H.E. Dr Siswo Pramono: Indonesian Ambassador on the Indonesian government's support for and ratification of the Treaty in September 2024	Australia and Indonesia are close neighbours and strategic partners. Our collaboration plays a crucial role in promoting stability and security in the Indo-Pacific.
	The Hon. Susan Templeman MP on the Australian Government’s position on the Treaty.	Susan Templeman is the member for Macquarie in the Australian House of Representatives and is Australia's Special Envoy for the Arts.
	Q & A session	An opportunity to engage with the panel.
3.30pm	PLENARY SESSION AND CLOSING REMARKS
4.00pm	CLOSE