2022 Events

Dr. Ponzio explained the significance of the Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’s Our Common Agenda (OCA) report issued in 2021. He identified major goals for addressing global governance challenges, notably conflict prevention and management for building peace, COVID-19, representation, and human rights promotion, climate action and governing the global commons, promoting a collaborative economy and global public goods, and confronting the implications from rapid development of AI technology. Please view the video recording.

The International Day of Peace is observed in Tokyo on 21 September and the Peace Bell Ceremony was held at Meiji Jingu Shrine with the attendance of Governor Yuriko KOIKE of the Tokyo Metropolitan City who expressed her appreciation of the significance of holding it in Tokyo. Professor Sukehiro HASEGAWA, Chair of the Organizing Committee noted in his opening remarks that “achieving peace rests with the spirit of respecting and accommodating each other`s differences.”

Ambassador Zelayandia presented her views on the causes and implications of the civil war which started in El Salvador with the assassination of the archbishop Óscar Romero in March 1980. Please click here for details of their views.

Professor Hiroko AKIZUKI, member of the United Nations Commission on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) joined by Professors Misako TAKIZAWA, and Ai KIHARA-HUNT, discussed the current status and issues taken up by CEDAW, followed by a lively exchange of opinions with the participation of experts and scholars. Please click here for the gist of the remarks. (Organized by Akiko ABE)

Mr. Naoto Hisajima, Director-General, Secretariat of the International Peace Cooperation Headquarters, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan stated, that Japan marked the 30th anniversary of Japan’s involvement in international peace cooperation activities, looking back the past experiences and at the way ahead. The seminar was organized by Mr. Daiki Inoue and its report was compiled by Mr. Maciej Witek.

ACUNS Tokyo, Kyoto Peacebuilding Center and Global Peacebuilding Association of Japan will hold a Seminar on Japan`s National Peace Cooperation Activities. Please click here for the full program. If you are interested in participating, please fill in the registration form here by Tuesday, 26 July.

Ambassador Korsunsky started his presentation by stating that this crisis is a war, a full-scale brutal war that was unimaginable a little more than two months ago. Of course, Ukraine knew that there is a very aggressive neighbor the assault on Ukrainian territory and sovereignty began 8 years ago in 2014, and people always knew that it would be difficult to resolve territorial problems with Russia – who knows better about those issues than Japan? On 24 February a classical war began of military assault on Ukraine, with missiles, planes, and tanks in Ukrainian territory. Since then, for 67 days Ukraine fights against Russian aggression, and definitely in this war is deeply involved in partnerships negotiations and assistance with partners in the world.

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Former Foreign Minister and Ambassador to Japan Charles Murigande of Rwanda to Japan made a critical review of the developments in Rwanda since its genocide in 1994. He was joined by Hiroshi KATO, Former Vice President of Japan International Development Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Professor at the International University of Japan. Please click here for its video recording.