In Lahore
- The Paper Crane video and Sadakoís Story have been very inspirational for many people. The JAC is translating the book on Sadako in Urdu.
- The idea of video On a Paper Crane was used in the Fourth International Puppet Festival in Lahore from Oct 17-27, 1998 organised by a private group Rafi Peer Theatre Workshop. The festival is a bi-annual feature. In 1992 the festival was dedicated to Peace Around the World, in 1994 its theme was Environmental Conservation and in 1996 Acceptance of Racial and Cultural Differences. In the wake of the nuclear tests in South Asia in 1998 the festival was once again dedicated to peace. The event provided an opportunity to peace activists to arrange activities to enhance awareness about nuclear issue. Such activities involved showing the Sadako video. And after a brief discussion, children from various schools were asked to make paper cranes. These paper cranes made by Pakistani children were later to be used to cover the 9-foot tall structure of a paper crane, as a peace monument in Pakistan. The festival was attended by more than 100,000 people.
- Meanwhile the Crane for Peace has become a full-fledged movement for Pakistani children in various cities. The group spearheading it says that given the situation of the world, and especially that of the South Asian region, it is essential for children to show solidarity with the cause of world peace. Furthermore, to voice the sufferings of millions of children tormented by war or the effects of war, our children must actively strive for a peaceful future. The activity of folding paper cranes is symbolic of the childrenís demand for a peaceful and nukes-free world. · Pamphlet showing what would happen if a nuclear bomb is dropped on the city of Lahore was distributed in public demonstrations, and was seen to be very effective in bringing home the devastative capability of nuclear weapons to the general public.
- Joint Action Committee for Peopleís Rights (JAC) was awarded 1998ís UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize for the Promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence. This served as a great morale booster for all human rights and peace groups in Pakistan.
- Journalists Resource Centre (JRC) Lahore initiated a public dialogue on nuclear issues at Lahore Press Club.
- A Coalition for Non-Proliferation in Pakistan (CNPP) was established in Lahore.
- Mashal Books, Lahore initiated a series of Nuclear Issues Workshops to inculcate clear and critical thinking among peace activists and published at least three books on the subject. A New addition is a bi-lingual Nuclear Peace Reader, which is a compilation of essays that analyze the various aspects of nuclear issues in South Asia.
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