Peace Boat arriving in Kochi today

The Clipper Pacific passenger ship, with some 102 Hibakushas (atom bomb survivors) from Japan, Korea, Brazil, Canada and Australia on board, will sail into Kochi from Singapore on Monday, seeking to spread the message of peace for a nuclear weapon-free future.
Organised by Peace Boat, a Japan-based international non-governmental organisation (NGO) that strives “to promote peace, human rights, equal and sustainable development and respect for the environment,” the global voyage for peace is the 63rd and bears special significance as it happens in connection with the NGO’s silver jubilee. At a press conference here on Saturday, Maho Takahashi, a Peace Boat representative, said nuclear weapons should not be used anymore.
The crew of the ship, comprising NGO activists, survivors of war from around the world and disarmament educators will be accorded a civic reception in the city. Mayor Mercy Williams will sign a protocol, Vision 2020 campaign for nuclear non-proliferation led by Mayors for Peace, Japan, thereby becoming the only mayor in the country to be party to a campaign that has so far had the endorsement of some 330 mayors the world over.
The ship left Yokohama on September 7. From here, the ship will leave for Massawa in Eritrea. The voyage is scheduled to end at Yokohama on December 18