Get Involved

Simply stated, working for an NGO means exerting your energy to make the world a better place. Our world faces many problems, such as war, nuclear weapons, natural disasters, poverty, human rights violations, and discrimination. Together with those affected by hardship, NGOs like ANT-Hiroshima work to conceive and carry out nonviolent solutions to address these conditions. NGO workers must ask themselves: Who are we working with, and how will we pursue this work? We must respect those we work with, along with their language and culture, and be able to communicate with them about their needs.

Although specialized knowledge and skills — including language, international cooperation, development, and humanitarian aid — are important for and can be gained through NGO work, we believe that the most important skill is our capacity for empathy and compassion for others. At heart, ANT-Hiroshima’s work is motivated by love for others, for the whole human family. Despite the difficulties of NGO work, this is the deeper appeal and joy of our mission.

Volunteer

Would you like to serve as a volunteer? Our activities are sustained by many supporters, just like you, who want to make a contribution to help others. ANT-Hiroshima has a variety of volunteer opportunities, depending on your interests and availability. Contact us to find out how you can get involved.

Volunteer opportunities include:
  • Book making: lacing translation stickers on printed books
  • Event support: preparation, set-up, and clean-up
  • Event staff: reception table and managing volunteers
  • Languages: translation and double-checking of various languages
  • Host family: hosting international visitors at your home

Internships

ANT-Hiroshima offers internships at our office, particularly to students who are considering working for an NGO or other international organization in the future, as well as those looking to learn more about the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and nuclear weapons.

By experiencing the work of an NGO at ANT-Hiroshima, our interns have the chance to reflect on their current activities and future path. In order for this experience to be as meaningful as possible, interns are given responsibilities that will best suit their goals and the needs of the organization.

Please note that, while international interns are welcome at ANT-Hiroshima, you must be able to communicate in Japanese, as well as pay for your own travel expenses and housing. We do not offer online internships. As ability to communicate in Japanese is a prerequisite for an internship, please see our Japanese page on internships for more information about the application process and intern duties. If you wish to inquire about the possibility of an internship, please contact us.


Words from an Intern: Sumeet Shivam

In a world that often feels divided by conflicts, differences, and misunderstandings, I felt a strong calling to contribute my efforts towards a greater cause — the cause of peace. This curiosity led me to discover ANT-Hiroshima, an organization that encapsulates the essence of curiosity, compassion, and positive change. From my weekly visits to this organization, I get to learn something very important, and the office is always bustling with fun-filled peace-related activities, such as learning how to make paper cranes, engaging in peace talks and lectures with high school and university students, visiting Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, collaborating, and sharing ideas with people with similar interests and views on peace, and many more. Every step I take with ANT-Hiroshima reaffirms my belief that global peace, no matter how impossible it may sound, is achievable when we stand together with purpose.
Related projects: Peace Education Activities, Towards a Nuclear-Free World

 

Words from an intern: Ayako Hosokawa

I participated in peace activities in high school, but left Hiroshima for the first time when I entered university. When August 6 (the anniversary of the atomic bombing) arrived there, I realized that what was normal in Hiroshima was not normal elsewhere. Once I gained better understanding of international affairs and the UN system compared to when I was in high school, I wanted to gain experience in Hiroshima once again, so I began my internship at ANT-Hiroshima. Once again, I realized the importance of hearing the stories of hibakusha firsthand and visiting Peace Memorial Museum. I also learned a great deal from interacting with Israeli and Palestinian people. I would like to continue to gain experience in Hiroshima while acquiring knowledge at university.

We can help you connect with individuals and groups that share a similar vision.

In our work with others who hold the same vision of creating a more peaceful world, ANT-Hiroshima has developed a broad network of individuals and groups both in Japan and internationally. We would be happy to help with networking in this way.

  • Would you like to start a project, working together with others in Japan or around the world?
  • Would you like to learn more about Hiroshima and help convey our message to others in Japan and around the world?
  • Do you need advice on activities involving peace education?

Please feel free to contact our office for support.

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