In Japan, paper cranes are traditionally a symbol of good health and a long life. Today, they are also recognised internationally as a symbol of peace, and can be used to spark important conversations on the urgent need to eliminate nuclear weapons.

As a two-year-old girl, Sadako Sasaki was exposed to radiation from the Hiroshima bomb. Years later, she was diagnosed with leukaemia – a delayed effect of radiation – and she set herself the goal of folding one thousand paper cranes while in hospital, hoping that it would bring her good health.

She persevered and reached her goal but, tragically, grew weaker by the day and died at the age of 12.

Ever since, children across Japan and throughout the world have folded paper cranes to show their support for the elimination of nuclear weapons.

Why not mail or hand deliver paper cranes to elected representatives in your country, with a letter requesting their support for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons?