南京成为中国首座国际和平城市

2018-04-14

时代英语·高二 2018年2期

“In the notorious Nanjing Massacre during World War II， more than 300，000 Chinese people lost their lives and 20，000 women were raped. This history makes people remember the war and makes them more aware of the significance of peace，” said Fred Arment， executive director of International Cities of Peace in a video speech.

Nanjing in east Chinas Jiangsu province was an ancient capital for six of Chinas dynasties. The freezing winter of 1937 saw brutal killing by invading Japanese troops. One person was killed every 12 seconds.

The International Cities of Peace list includes Coventry in England， Bern in Switzerland， Amsterdam in the Netherlands， Berlin in Germany and so on.

Liu Cheng， UNESCO Chair on Peace Studies and a professor at Nanjing University， said that there were certain requirements for becoming an International City of Peace.

“For instance， the city might be traumatized by war or have witnessed big peace-related events，” he said. “It should also be advanced in peace studies and activities.”

Lius Institute for Peace Studies， together with the Institute of Nanjing Massacre History and International Peace， submitted an application to the International Cities of Peace.

“What was left by history was not hatred， but our awareness of peace，” he also said.

“Nanjing is among the cities that felt the greatest pain in World War II， and the Nanjing Massacre left us indelible memories，” said Zhang Jianjun， executive chairman of the Institute of Nanjing Massacre History and International Peace. “So we understand better how valuable peace is.”

Peace education has always been emphasized in Nanjing. Nanjing University is the first university to conduct research on peace studies in China.

Kawasaki Akira， a representative with the Japanese NGO Peace Boat， said that the designation of Nanjing as an International City of Peace could help the Chinese people cherish peace and the Japanese people reflect on themselves.

“Peace does not only mean ‘no war，” said Lee Ji Won， a professor at Daelim University of Republic of Korea. “Peace also means reducing violence， improving social justice and safeguarding human rights.”

“Peace is the only way out for human beings，” said Cao Lubao， a publicity official with Nanjing City. “People from all countries should take lessons from history and enhance communication.”

“國际和平城市协会”项目执行会长弗雷德·阿门特在视频讲话中说：“第二次世界大战时，在臭名昭著的南京大屠杀事件中，30多万中国军民丧生，另有2万多妇女被强奸。这段历史使得人们铭记这场战争，让人们更深刻地认识到和平的重要性。”

南京位于中国东部的江苏省，是中国的“六朝古都”。在1937年那个寒冷的冬天，日本侵略军在这里进行了残忍的大屠杀。每12秒就有一人被杀害。

目前已成为“国际和平城市”的有英国考文垂、瑞士伯尔尼、荷兰阿姆斯特丹、德国柏林等。

联合国教科文组织和平学教席、南京大学教授刘成介绍说，要想成为“国际和平城市”，需要具备一定的条件。

“比如在战争中受过创伤，或发生过重大的有关和平的事件，”他说，“以及长期致力于和平学的研究和推广。”

刘教授所在的南京大学和平学研究所联合南京大屠杀史与国际和平研究院向“国际和平城市协会”发出了申请报告。

他还说：“历史留下的不是仇恨，而是我们对和平的认识。”

南京大屠杀史与国际和平研究院执行院长张建军说：“南京是在第二次世界大战中饱受战火摧残的城市之一。南京大屠杀给我们留下了不可磨灭的记忆，所以我们更懂得和平的珍贵。”

南京一直都很重视和平教育。南京大学是中国首个开设和平学研究的高校。

日本非政府组织“和平之舟”的代表川崎哲表示，把南京指定为国际和平城市，能让中国人珍惜和平，日本人也会反思自己。

韩国大林大学教授李智远说：“和平不仅仅代表着没有战争，还意味着减少暴力、促进社会正义和维护人权。”

南京市委宣传部官员曹路宝说：“和平才是人间正道。全世界人民都应从历史中吸取教训、加强沟通。”