Post-event Report
 

ALPHA Education and WongAvery Asia Pacific Peace Museum co-hosted with Chinese Professionals Association of Canada and Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto the 87th Commemoration of the Nanking Massacre on December 12, 2024.

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At 7:00 pm in Toronto, 620 Canadians from diverse communities came together in hope and peace to remember the 300,000 victims in Nanking, China who perished in 6 weeks, as of December 13 1937, from indiscriminate, brutal killing by the Imperial Japanese Army.

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The program began with the City of Toronto Land Acknowledgement, followed by Canada’s National Anthem, and a 1-minute silence. Dr. Joseph Yu Kai Wong, Chair and Founder of ALPHA Education provided an inspirational opening presentation. Following were presentations by Senator Yuen Pau Woo, Mayor of Toronto Olivia Chow, Federal and Provincial Members of Parliament, Chair of York Region District School Board, and Matthew Ahn, ALPHA Education youth leader.

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The fully packed theatre watched in profound silence and inspired interest the screening of the award-winning docudrama, Iris Chang - The Rape of Nanking, planned and produced by ALPHA Education to foster reconciliation, justice, and peace. The film is based on the book published in 1997, The Rape of Nanking: The Forgotten Holocaust of World War II by Iris Chang, a New York Times bestseller.

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The vital importance of remembering, learning, and relevance of this essential history for the present and future are captured in the following quotes from two attendees, among many:

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“ The event was not only a moving tribute to the victims but also a profound learning experience for all who attended.”

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“I was deeply inspired by the history of ALPHA Education’s unwavering dedication to raising public awareness about WWII in Asia. The stories shared during the event, and Iris Chang’s book and film, left a lasting impression on me and undoubtedly many others. These efforts are vital in ensuring the lessons of history continue to resonate with future generations.”

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