by Sean Morris, Commission member
Earlier this week I helped a colleague in organising the Executive Conference of Mayors for Peace held in Manchester. The conference is held every two years with Manchester hosting as a Vice President.
On Sunday there was a walk of the Manchester Peace Trail. Manchester is a famous city with a long history. It was the world’s first industrial city, where many people came to work in the new cotton mills and factories in the 18th and 19th centuries. It is also famous for people taking a leading role in the struggle against injustice and for peace, for the good of Manchester and the wider world. The Manchester City Centre Peace Trail highlights some of their stories. To discover the amazing people and incredible events, celebrated in the streets of Manchester, see the Manchester Peace Trail Website.
On Monday the opening commemoration event took place at the Manchester Arena Glade of Light memorial. The names of the 22 who died were read out by the Dean of Manchester Cathedral and poems by Lemn Sissay and Tony Walsh were read out by the Lord Mayor of Manchester and Councillor Erinma Bell. The Mayors of Manchester, Hiroshima and Nagasaki laid flowers and a minute’ silence was held.
The conference discussed the Mayors for Peace PX Vision, peace education, the upcoming Nobel Peace Prize ceremony with Nidon Hidankyo, and preparing for the 80th anniversary of the atomic weapon attacks in 2025.
There was also a European Chapter and a UK & Ireland Chapter meeting. At the UK & Ireland meeting, Mayor Matsui outlined the PX Vision and a recent visit to Dublin where he spoke to both houses of the Irish Parliament, to a meeting at which 16 new Irish Mayors signed to join Mayors for Peace and he met President Higgins.
Mayor Matsui also met pupils from Chorlton High School who have a gingko tree and they talked to him about it. Manchester now has school links with both Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
Manchester Museum, who have a Hiroshima exhibit of melted glass and paper cranes, was visited by the delegates. Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum has provided new panels on peace cranes which were unveiled at Manchester Museum.
Finally, a trip to Old Trafford where Mayor Matsui met Manchester United officials. Talks were held to create peace links between the club and Hiroshima’s J League club, Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
