The Power and Practice of Storytelling for a Sustainable Future: Youth from Asia and Japan Learn from Hiroshima

The four-day study tour began on 25 August. In collaboration with SPINGLE Co., Ltd., participants received “Paper Crane Recycled Sneakers,” made from paper cranes sent from around the world. This provided a valuable opportunity to experience firsthand a creative way of conveying peace messages globally through design.

Participants also visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, joined a VR (virtual reality) guided tour of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, and listened to the testimony of Ms. Keiko Ogura, a hibakusha (atomic bomb survivor) from Hiroshima, gaining firsthand insights into the realities of the atomic bombing. In addition, they visited local companies and attended a workshop delivered by experts from Microsoft Japan on the use of digital tools such as Minecraft, deepening their understanding of how to leverage new technologies for effective storytelling for a sustainable future for all. 

This is the most favorable time to receive training in AI and digital tools, as they are playing an increasingly significant role in our society. In my case, this programme served as a bridge between my work in the physical space and the digital space, particularly in my study of art and the environment and art and memory.  - MAGPANTAY Andre Oriondo, UNITAR Training Participant (Philippines)

The most favorable aspect of the programme was the making of my story. I could use AI to create a story and see how far my imagination can take me. - Jinto Kanazawa, UNITAR Training Participant (Japan)

I was very impressed by the structured approach to using AI for creating videos and images. Although I had used AI many times before, this was the first time to go through it in such a systematic manner. - Trần Anh Thơ, UNITAR Training Participant (Vietnam)