Cassandra Peterson 
Karin Okuda has always been aware of the horrific nature of nuclear weapons. Her school, Hiroshima Jogakuin Senior High School lost 330 students and 20 staff members during the bombings in 1945, which has fueled their extraordinary peace education program. Karin grew up listening to the testimonies of Hibakusha and learning about the significance of nuclear disarmament. While she acutely felt the importance of disseminating Hiroshima’s peace message around the world, it was not easy for her, as a high school student, to find out how to best reach people in different countries.
The Critical Issues Forum (CIF) project was a great opportunity for Karin to get one step closer to her dream of working for world peace and security. She participated in the 2014 Spring Conference, held in Monterey, where she presented on the daunting challenges of creating a world free of nuclear weapons. Karin enjoyed the experience so much that she also took part in the 2015 Spring Conference, acting as the emcee.
According to Karin, the CIF project gave her a fresh perspective on nuclear disarmament issues. Meeting with students from the United States and discussing how to achieve peace significantly widened her worldview. She was impressed by the American students’ passion for disarmament. It was very stimulating for her to see that students from the United States were discussing their country’s policy making process in regards to nuclear weapons. Seeing that she shared a common goal of a world free of nuclear weapons with the American students motivated Karin to work more diligently for peace and security.
During the 2014 Conference, Karin stayed with an American host family. She called the experience eye-opening, noting it deepened her understanding of American culture and friendship. It was this homestay that inspired to share her own culture with American students during the 2015 Conference in Hiroshima. She assisted in orienting the visiting schools, leading a tour, and showing heartwarming hospitality. Karin was literally a “peace ambassador” to strengthen the friendship between the United States and Japan, spreading the message of Hiroshima to the world.
Through the CIF project, Karin also stated that she was able to develop confidence in areas where she had previously been lacking. She strengthened her passion for peace and security, while enhancing her knowledge of intercultural communication. Based on her time with CIF, Karin believes that there is no barrier among hearts, although sometimes it does seem impossible to reconcile differences among governments. She has stated that she will cherish the friendships she developed through CIF, as friendship across cultures is critical in working towards a world free of nuclear weapons. The experience multiplied Karin’s desire to be a true “global citizen”, transcending differences between countries, and she is now determined to grown into a leader who can contribute to peace, security, and strengthening the friendship between the United States and Japan.