Deadline: TBD

Who is Eligible to Apply?

For US and Korean educators: Junior high or high school teachers of any subject are welcome to apply. NGO leaders and informal educators working with youth populations of the same demographic (12-18 years of age) are also eligible.

For Middle East/North Africa educators: Only alumni of previous UME programs are eligible for this program.

Program Costs: For educators in need of financial assistance, UME provides scholarships covering some or all program costs including international travel, instructor fees, internal travel within Japan, accommodations, meals, and events. 

Admissions Process: An in-person or video-conference interview is required for all finalists. The Oleander admissions committee may also request additional materials or recommendations.

Questions? Please email [email protected] if you have any questions

Program Summary

Months after the atomic bomb was dropped over Hiroshima, Japan, a small patch of red oleander flowers bloomed out of the irradiated rubble. Since then, red oleander has symbolized both the dangers of nuclear war and the hope of a more peaceful future. In a similar spirit, the Oleander Initiative leverages the “power of place” of the city of Hiroshima – the first city to be devastated by nuclear weapons – to harness the power of education to promote more peaceful societies. 

The Oleander Initiative gathers educators from communities around the world to work together and transform the lessons of Hiroshima into relevant and impactful peace education activities for their students.  The Oleander Initiative generates deep awareness of the catastrophic humanitarian impacts of nuclear weapons and equips participants with intellectual tools for conflict resolution and mutual understanding. 

Program Description

From August 2 – August 10, 2021 (program dates may shift 1-2 days), up to 20 educators from the Middle East, North Africa, Korea, Japan and the United States will gather together during the 75thanniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, today a vibrant metropolis known as the City of Peace. During the program, Oleander educators develop lesson plans for their students back home informed by interactions with atomic bomb survivors, schoolteachers from the city of Hiroshima, and from experts on the humanitarian impact of nuclear war. These lesson plans — fine-tuned and co-developed with Oleander staff and fellow participants during the program — have a concrete and tangible impact on their students and communities. They raise consciousness about the catastrophic global impacts of nuclear war and inspire our next generation to work locally to promote peaceful societies. 

Program Activities

• Instruction from top academics in the fields of peace education and nuclear weapons issues
• Testimonials from hibakusha atomic bomb survivors from Hiroshima and Nagasaki
• August 6^thatomic bombing memorial ceremony hosted by the city of Hiroshima
• Educational collaborations with teachers and students from Hiroshima
• Attendance at the World Conference against A & H bombs, the oldest and largest of its type
• Personalized guidance to assist development of educational activities best suited for Oleander educators’ local contexts
• Visits to Miyajima and Hiroshima Castle
• Cultural Activities including Kagura performance, tea ceremony, and calligraphy

2019 Photo Report