On 18 December 2021, University of Malaya (UM) organised an online international webinar and invited SGM Secretary-General Tan Leng to speak on the role of civil society organisations in supporting nuclear weapons disarmament.

This webinar was part of a project named “HEIWA” (Peace in Japanese) led by students of UM”s Southeast Asian Studies programme under the theme “TPNW and the Story of Hibakusha,” in collaboration with SGM and Youth Peace Volunteer (YPV).

In his speech, Tan Leng briefly explained the history, content and spirit in the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) and stressed on the importance of civil society organisations from around the globe in supporting the treaty. He also gave examples of SGM”s participation in various nuclear disarmament activities.

Furthermore, Tan reiterated Malaysia’s stance in eliminating nuclear weapons and urged the participants to uphold hope and perseverance when advancing towards an era that will mark the end of nuclear weapons.

In addition, a Japanese peace volunteer shared the experiences of hibakushas or survivors of atomic bombings. The youth also expressed her determination to strive for eternal world peace by making origami paper cranes.