On Monday, December 1, 2025, the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) had the honour of hosting From Hiroshima to Hope: A Conversation with Nobel Laureate Setsuko Thurlow at the Catholic Education Centre.
Setsuko Thurlow, a survivor of the Hiroshima bombing and recipient of the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN), shared her powerful journey from personal tragedy to global advocacy for nuclear disarmament. Her presentation highlighted the human, environmental, and social consequences of nuclear weapons, inspiring everyone in attendance with her courage, moral clarity, and commitment to peace.
Students and teachers from Cardinal Carter, Francis Libermann, St. Joseph’s Morrow Park, Madonna, St. John Paul II, St. Oscar Romero, and St. John Henry Newman attended the event. They watched the film Vow to Hiroshima, which chronicles Ms. Thurlow’s life and activism, and then participated in a discussion about global citizenship, international law, and the role of grassroots activism. Students were deeply moved by her story, reflecting on the importance of empathy, social responsibility, and the power of individual action to make a difference.
The room buzzed with curiosity and engagement as students asked thoughtful questions and shared their reflections. The event offered a meaningful opportunity to connect history with real-world advocacy and encouraged students to think critically about justice, peace, and equity.
