A Summer Internship at ALPHA Education: Making a contribution to Peace and Justice

By: Emma Tang (3L)

Photo Emma Tang (author) and her research supervisor, Gen-ling Chang, the Deputy Executive Director of ALPHA Education, at the WongAvery Asia Pacific Peace Museum. 

ALPHA Education and the Summer Program 

This summer, I worked as an IHRP fellow at the Association for Learning and Preserving the History of WWII in Asia (ALPHA) Education. Founded in 1997, ALPHA Education has evolved into a global leader advocating for peace, social justice, and humanity. I was drawn to work at ALPHA Education because I always seek ways to connect with and support my community as an Asian descendant.

The summer program promotes the exploration of sustainable peacebuilding through critical inquiry into the history and legacies of World War II in Asia. It consists of learning, discussion, and research activities. We had students from Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Toronto. Participants have diverse academic backgrounds, including history, political science, international relations, and law, and represent several universities, notably from the University of Hong Kong and the University of Toronto. The summer program topics included Critical Perspectives on World War II in Asia, Roots of Racism, Colonialism and Imperialism, Human Experimentation and Biological & Chemical Warfare, Japanese Military Sexual Slavery, Forced Labour, and Justice and Peace. 

Volunteer at the Gala

On June 9th, it marked the Opening Gala for the WongAvery Asia Pacific Peace Museum. Over 800 guests attended, with presence of the leaders from the City, the eduction boards, and the community. The gala was emotional, educational, and meaningful. It featured a mix of performances from the community, including Chinese and Korean artists. The event also highlighted the museum initiative’s story, the project process, and brought attention to the relatively unknown atrocities of WWII in Asia. I worked as a volunteer, which further enhanced my passion for peace and advocacy.

Study Group and Research 

As a group, I worked with students from the University of Toronto and the University of Hong Kong. Together, we completed assignments researching on Unit 731 Testimonies, sources on Japanese Military Sexual Slavery, and the Ballad of Hanaoka. This collaboration enhanced our understanding of these significant historical events and strengthened our analytical and teamwork skills. I also co-led two discussions on the topics of Forced Labour, and Justice and Peace. By engaging participants in critical analysis, we aimed to deepen understanding and inspire action towards creating more equitable and peaceful societies.

My research project was dedicated to advancing peace education and exploring its implications for modern times. Gen-Ling Chang, the Deputy Executive Director of ALPHA, was assigned as my research supervisor. At our meetings, not only did I meet with her in her office, but she also provided personal tours of the museum for me to learn and to gather resources. She highlighted resources that could be useful for my research, such as pre-war resource materials that promoted Japanese militarism and racism, which were reflected in their military strategies. Later, I narrowed down my research topic to Japan’s Militarism and War Preparations in pre-World War II Asia. 

I explored the factors that shaped and contributed to Japan’s militarism and war preparations. This examination included an analysis of primary and secondary sources to understand the motivations behind the war of aggression. Factors leading to Japan’s initiation of war included economic conditions, fear of being colonized, the aspiration to emulate and surpass Western colonial powers, and the ideologies inherent in Japan’s militarism. As Japan undertook extensive preparations for war in the prelude, I also examined the strategies employed by Japan to foster acceptance of war among its population, utilizing various mediums to build support for the war effort. Understanding these historical contexts helps us identify the dangerous potential of similar ideologies in contemporary global politics. I analyzed the connections between militarism and racism, and explored the lessons we can learn to foster peacebuilding in our modern world. This experience also enhanced my understanding of the mechanisms that can promote transparency, accountability, and sustained peace in political contexts. 

Conclusion

Through search work and discussions on historical events, reconciliation, and peacebuilding strategies, it deepened my understanding of how historical insights can inform contemporary peace efforts. Working with ALPHA Education allowed me to connect the lessons of World War II in Asia to modern-day challenges in peacebuilding and advocacy. By deepening my knowledge of the intersections between history, justice, and peace, I feel more equipped to contribute meaningfully to global human rights initiatives and to advocate for a more just and equitable world.