Category Archives: East Asia

China: Heart Youth Peace Charity Organization; Peace Is What We Do Today

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION .

An article from WeChat (translation by google)

(Editor’s note: The Chinese name of this organization can also be translated as “X-Youth Peace Organization.”)

[International Day of Peace] Three-line Declaration of Peace

Today, September 21, is International Day of Peace. Here, we first quote the “Peace Declaration” initiated by the International Peace Culture Website:

“I’m sick and tired of the culture of war. I support the culture of peace. I will continue supporting it on social media until we win.”

— Declaration of Peace

(Photo received at CPNN from X-Youth Peace Organization

War is not a gene, it is an invention.   

David Adams is an American peace activist, scientist, scholar, author, and journalist. He is the former director of UNESCO’s International Year of the Culture of Peace project and the founder of the International Peace Culture News Network.

Not long ago, we had the opportunity to exchange his understanding of peace at a forum.

He began by telling a story from his youth, during the Sputnik and Cuban Missile Crisis. His generation realized for the first time that the world could be destroyed by nuclear war.

After that, David spent some time researching the mechanisms of aggression in the brain. He worked in university labs for 25 years, publishing about 100 scientific papers, trying to figure out: how exactly does aggression work? Could a way be found to “brake” on the violent genes in humans?

But 25 years later, he came to the opposite conclusion: aggressive brain mechanisms were not the root cause of the danger of World War III.
Those who plan wars are not necessarily “aggressive.” They may simply be presidents, generals, or officials performing their duties.

The real problem isn’t in genes, it’s in culture.

Later, he participated in convening scientists worldwide to formulate the “Seville Declaration on Violence.” The answers given by geneticists, animal behavior experts, and anthropologists are: “The same species that invented war is capable of inventing peace.”
——Margaret Mead

War is not genetically determined. War is an invention. This means that it can also be replaced.

The culture of peace was once enshrined in the United Nations, but was subsequently silenced.  

David later went to UNESCO to promote the “Culture of Peace” project. The first projects were selected in El Salvador and Mozambique, which had just emerged from civil war. They brought together former combatants from both sides of the civil war to jointly plan education, culture, science, and communication projects.

They then submitted these proposals to major powers, requesting funding.

Result: Major powers refused to contribute funds.

“I didn’t understand then, but I do now,” David said. “Those big powers don’t want peace. They profit from the military-industrial complex, and peace would threaten their profits.”

Later, the Southern countries pushed for the establishment of an “International Year of the Culture of Peace” at the United Nations. In 2000, the UN system adopted the “Declaration on the Culture of Peace.” However, major powers opposed it. Although it was eventually adopted, a clause was added stipulating that funds could not be used to promote it.

The 2000 Manifesto collected signatures worldwide: millions in India, 15 million in Brazil during Carnival, and about 40% of Colombia’s population signed it.

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Questions related to this article:

Does China promote a culture of peace?

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However, UNESCO later changed its Director-General, and the project was halted. David later ran the “Peace Culture News Network,” publishing stories of peace culture from around the world daily, and wrote *A History of War Culture*. He drew two conclusions:

First, nation-states have monopolized the narrative of war culture;

Second, the most important weapon in the culture of war is the control of information.

In fact, there exists another tradition in the world—one that is not based on conquest and hegemony, but on harmony. For example, Chinese culture, which has existed for over 5,000 years, emphasizes “harmony and unity.”

This precisely confirms David Adams’s judgment: a culture of peace is possible.

The three-line peace declaration, the baton is passed to the youth.  

In a recent forum, we analyzed several long-term trends in the world today, and ultimately agreed that:

A global economic collapse is looming.

Perhaps this economic collapse will give rise to a new civilization in the future, but at this stage, those of us dedicated to peace work need to first spread the declaration of peace and the culture of peace to more young people.

This peace declaration contains only three lines:

“I’m sick and tired of the culture of war. I support the culture of peace.
I will continue supporting it on social media until we win.”

Many people, upon seeing this declaration, would find “until we win” too radical.

David responded in the forum: “Yes, it is aggressive. We need to be aggressive for peace. The fight for peace is, in a sense, a struggle. It is not meditation, but action.”

The Heart Youth Peace Charity Organization, representing young people, understands the “aggressiveness” of this action for peace. We cannot simply call for peace verbally; we need more action to wake more people up—war is a packaged lie, it is not the only way to solve problems, and we have the opportunity to choose peace.

In the view of the Heart Youth Peace Charity Organization, peace is not just a grand narrative, but also an everyday capability. We never expect to change the whole world overnight, but we believe that every encounter and exchange paves the way for a new era of peace in the future.

“Perhaps humanity will not be able to completely say goodbye to war in the short term, but at least—the next generation will know that on this planet, there are always people working for peace and never giving up.”

You can see each other from both sides of the mountain. 

Gandhi said:”We are all climbing the mountain of truth, but some of the paths are on the other side of the mountain so we don’t see them.”

David, the founder of the International Peace Culture website, comes from the West, but he also saw the lies of war and the possibility of peace. He started by studying human aggression and eventually moved towards a culture of peace.

David, from the West, once said: “I firmly believe that to understand the culture of peace, one must first understand the culture of war, including its history, organization, strengths and weaknesses.”

On this side of the mountain, Chinese culture has a spirit of “harmony” that has lasted for thousands of years, and the historical wisdom of “turning swords into plowshares”.

The Heart of the East Youth Peace Charity Organization also started by studying war, and has firmly embarked on the path of seeking peace.

Global cultures may differ, but peace is not an unattainable goal; rather, it is another new era of civilization that humanity can choose.

“When the power of love overtakes the love of power, the world will know peace. ——Jimi Hendrix

“Another world is possible.” ——World Social Forum

If you also embrace a culture of peace, you are welcome to share these three lines of declaration and reflect on how to do something small and concrete that relates to peace in your daily life:

“I’m sick and tired of the culture of war. I support the culture of peace.
I will continue supporting it on social media until we win.”

Today is International Day of Peace, and we would like to add a sentence to this three-line Declaration of Peace:

Peace is what we do today.

*This article is based on excerpts from a seminar with Dr. David Adams. For more information, please search: Culture of Peace News Network

Xin

East Asia, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

Thailand: SBAC 2026 focuses on Building Cultures of Peace

.. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ..

An article from Social Business Academia Conference

The Social Business Academia Conference (SBAC) returns for its 13th edition as a premier international platform dedicated to advancing the concept and practice of Social Business—a transformative framework pioneered by Nobel Peace Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus. Rooted in the core principle of solving human problems through sustainable, non-dividend business models, social business redefines the role of capital and human creativity to foster systemic global change.


In a global landscape marked by rising inequality, climate fragility, economic displacement, and social conflict, the imperative to cultivate sustainable peace has never been more urgent. SBAC 2026 focuses on Building Cultures of Peace through Research and Education, recognizing that true peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but the presence of socio-economic justice, equal opportunity, and ecological stability.

SBAC 2026 will be held in Thailand 25–26 November 2026, co-organized by the Yunus Centre and Yunus Center AIT. Hosted in Thailand—a global beacon of peace and resilience—this year’s conference highlights the crucial role of academic research, higher education, and social business models in peacebuilding, conflict mitigation, and achieving the 3ZERO Vision: zero net carbon emissions, zero wealth concentration to end poverty, and zero unemployment through entrepreneurship.

SBAC 2026 welcomes contributions from scholars, practitioners, activists, and professionals to present emerging trends, empirical research, and real-world applications of social business in advancing global peace and human security.

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Question for this article:

How can international development be transformed to promote a culture of peace?

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Conference Tracks

1. Health & Sport: Social innovations in healthcare delivery, mental health, well-being, and inclusive access to sport and physical activity.


2. Education: Pedagogical innovations, digital education for underserved populations, and social businesses in literacy and skill development.


3. Technology and Artificial Intelligence: Leveraging AI and digital
tools to address systemic challenges in society; ethical AI for social good.


4. Finance and the SDGs: Social finance, inclusive banking, microcredit, innovative funding mechanisms and their roles in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.


5. Marketing and Entrepreneurship: Market strategies of social businesses, inclusive entrepreneurship, bottom-of-the-pyramid marketing, and mission-driven startups.


6. Environment, Disaster Management, and Pollution Control: Environmental sustainability, climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, and green innovations.


7. Wealth Concentration: Social business approaches to reduce inequality, promote economic inclusion, and build community wealth.


8. Peace and Justice: Restorative justice, conflict resolution, economic stability in post-conflict zones, human security, legal empowerment, and ethical social business frameworks.


9. Food Security: Sustainable agriculture, supply chain resilience, food sovereignty, fighting hunger, and social business models addressing nutrition and food distribution in vulnerable communities.
– – – – – –

If you wish to make a comment on this article, you may write to coordinator@cpnn-world.org with the title “Comment on (name of article)” and we will put your comment on line. Because of the flood of spam, we have discontinued the direct application of comments.

East Asia, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Asia and Pacific: International Day of Peace

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION .

A survey by CPNN

We have found 94 events in 18 Asian and Pacific countries. They were listed in Google during the weeks of September 17-28 this year under the key words “International day of peace”, “Peace Day”, 国际和平日 (Chinese) 国際平和デ (Japanese) and अंतर्राष्ट्रीय शांति दिवस (Hindi). No doubt there were also events listed on the Internet in languages other than those for which we searched.

India, Jalandhar

Here are excerpts from the articles, translated into English.

AUSTRALIA

BALLARAT : Let’s Talk Peace Ballarat is hosting the Ballarat Week of Peace, featuring meditation actions, artwork, conversations, peace pole planting, a peace walk, and more.

PORT ADELAIDE AND SOUTHPORT : On September 21, protesters took to the streets to demand the Labour government sever military ties with the United States and Israel. There was a festive atmosphere at the rally in Yartapuulti (Port Adelaide). Speakers called for an end to AUKUS and militarism and urged the Australian government to support Palestine by severing ties with Israel. The protest was organized by Port Adelaide Community Opposes AUKUS. Highlights included performances by two choirs, a giant inflatable submarine, kayakers, drummers, music, and street performances. Another memorable event was the arrival of the Peacewalkers Against AUKUS, who walked over 400 kilometers from Port Augusta to Port Adelaide to say “No to AUKUS.” Amnesty International hosted an event in Southport, Kombumerri/Gold Coast Region. Speakers included Helen O’Sullivan, a Gaza Flotilla activist, Halikl Keretas of Amnesty International, and Ofure Agbon, a high school student, who spoke about the war in Sudan. The Sydney Anti-AUKUS Coalition (SAAC) and Stop the War on Palestine (SWOP) co-organised the protest which attracted up to 300 people to Sydney Town Hall, Gadigal Country ,

QUEENSLAND : September 19, 2026. What an exciting day for the Rotary Club of Loganholme! This morning, we were warmly welcomed to Daisy Hill State School to witness the installation of two Peace Poles that our club was proud to donate to the school community.

SYDNEY : The Australian city of Sydney witnessed a public march and a massive demonstration today, Sunday, on the occasion of the International Day of Peace. The event lasted from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, and started in front of the Sydney City Hall, before turning into a march that toured a number of the city’s streets, with the participation of crowds of citizens, activists and representatives of a number of bodies and organizations. The march came as part of what was called a “National Day of Action,” which focused on issues of peace, justice, and anti-war action, calling for an end to foreign military alliances, as well as discussing issues related to military bases, espionage and wiretapping bases, and the arms industry.

BANGLADESH

DHAKA : Today, the students of Crans Montana International School celebrated the International Day of Peace with enthusiasm and a strong spirit of togetherness. Throughout the past week, our students participated in a variety of meaningful and educational activities that helped them understand the importance of peace, kindness, respect, empathy, and harmony.

KHULNA : The Sundarbans Organization will coordinate three actions during Campaign Nonviolence Action Days 2026: a peace and healing gathering, a youth/community workshop on nonviolent solutions and climate justice, and a climate cleanup and advocacy action focused on building peaceful, resilient coastal communities in Bangladesh.


COX’S BAZAR ROHINGYA REFUGEES CAMP : Three actions for Peace week: 1. Organize a safe gathering for Rohingya youth to reflect on their experiences, share hopes, and promote solidarity and community healing. 2. Conduct an educational session for young people on human rights, peacebuilding, dignity, and the importance of preventing hate and discrimination. 3. Organize a community-based action such as a climate/environmental cleanup and youth advocacy activity to raise awareness about challenges facing refugees and encourage collective responsibility.

BRUNEI

BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN : Princess Hafizha, President of the Brunei Girl Scouts Association, visited the association’s headquarters yesterday to attend and preside over the International Day of Peace celebrations. During the event, the five finalists for the 2026 Brunei Girl Scouts Association Day of Peace Speech Contest took to the stage to deliver inspiring speeches

CAMBODIA

Prime Minister Hun Manet has called on Thailand to honour agreements reached between the two countries and work with Cambodia to resolve their border issues peacefully and in accordance with international law, as Cambodia marks today’s International Day of Peace.

CHINA

BEIJING: On the occasion of the United Nations International Day of Peace, the UNESCO International Experts Conference was solemnly held today at the Beijing Heyuan Peace Festival. This conference was jointly hosted by UNESCO, its official partner, the Beijing International Peace Culture Foundation, and the China Federation of Radio and Television Social Organizations. Experts and representatives from China, Jordan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, and other countries gathered to conduct thematic discussions on two key projects: the “International Youth Short Video Competition” and the “Silk Road Historical Dialogue Sites Network,” aiming to promote international sister city cooperation and protect and disseminate world cultural and intangible cultural heritage.

BEIJING: UN International Day of Peace: World Youth Photography Art Exhibition serving not merely as an artistic celebration but as a cross-border dialogue on peace. From the quiet memories of the Weixian Internment Camp for Western expatriates to the vibrant lives captured through the lenses of today’s youth, this exhibition uses light and shadow as a vessel to traverse history and the present, carrying humanity’s shared longing for tranquility.

HANCHUAN CITY : The 2026 International Day of Peace commemorative event was held in Hanchuan City, Xiaogan. Attendees included Jazlan, Deputy President of the Senate of Malaysia; Trenkova, former Deputy Prime Minister of Bulgaria; and Kari, a member of the National Assembly of Mauritania and Chair of the Mauritania-China Friendship Group. Lu Kang, Vice Minister of the International Department of the CPC Central Committee, and Chen Ping, Vice Governor of Hubei Province, delivered speeches.

HONGKONG : We cordially invite you to celebrate the International Day of Peace through the power of rhythm! In your busy lives, put down your screens and fatigue, and join the drumming circle at the Fringe Club on September 22nd to connect with others. A large selection of drums and percussion instruments will be available, welcoming beginners and experienced musicians alike to join in and experience the joy of musical expression. Every month, the event brings together 80-90 people to drum, sing, and dance, injecting positive energy, unity, and harmony into the heart of Central. The event aims to allow participants to experience the healing power of collective drumming, de-stressing, boosting immunity, and inspiring inner joy. The event is professionally guided by Japanese percussionist Masunaga Kagemi and the Qi Gu Le team.

HONGKONG : The “Bridge of Peace” International Forum was launched in Hong Kong, bringing rare footage of the Weifang Concentration Camp to Hong Kong for the first time. In response to the United Nations International Day of Peace on September 21, the Li Ka Shing Institute of Professional and Continuing Education at Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU LiPACE) recently held its first international forum and thematic photo exhibition, “Bridges of Peace: Celebrating the International Day of Peace Through Humanitarian Legacy.” The event brought together diplomats, scholars, and educators from various countries, with over 200 participants both online and offline, to discuss peace building and heritage preservation.

JUYONGGUAN GREAT WALL : On September 21, the United Nations International Day of Peace, the “We Came from the Great Wall” cultural initiative was officially launched at the Juyongguan section of the Great Wall. With the slogan “World Peace Bound by Shared Destiny, Peace Forever,” the event used music as a bridge and calligraphy and painting as a medium to bring together artists and culture enthusiasts from home and abroad to jointly advocate for world peace and promote cultural exchange and mutual learning.

NANJING : September 21 marks the 45th International Day of Peace. On September 20, the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders hosted an educational event themed “From Memory to Action—International Day of Peace 2026” at Peace Park. Approximately 150 Chinese and international representatives—including inheritors of the historical memory of the Nanjing Massacre and “Violet Grass” international volunteers—gathered at the venue. Through activities such as multilingual recitations, the writing of peace messages, and the sowing of peace seeds, they conveyed to the world Nanjing’s firm stance on remembering history and cherishing peace.

WUHAN : The commemoration of the 2026 International Day of Peace opened in Wuhan, Hubei Province. The event, themed “Facing Challenges Together and Building a House of Peace Together,” was attended by approximately 300 people from various fields, including political figures and senior figures from over 60 countries. Friends from Brazil, France, and other countries shared their interpretations of ancient Chinese wisdom on peace and the concept of “harmony,” which calls for cooperation and coexistence. Flying Tiger veterans and witnesses of Operation Doolittle also shared touching stories of solidarity and mutual support between the Chinese and American peoples.

INDIA

AMBALA : On the occasion of International Peace Day, a Humanity and Peace Message Program was organized at the Government Postgraduate College, Ambala Cantonment. Students and staff members participated in the program. During the program, a video message from International Peace Ambassador Prem Rawat was shown. For more than six decades, Prem Rawat has been spreading the message of humanity, inner peace, and a true understanding of life across the world.

AMRITSAR : BBK DAV College for Women. An awareness activity, Essay Writing Competition of the students on the occasion of international day of peace to sensitize students about the importance of peace,harmony,tolerance,non-violence and peaceful coexistence.

BHILAI : Brahma Kumaris: On the occasion of International Peace Day, under the aegis of Prajapita Brahmakumari Ishwari University, Vishwa Vidyalaya organized a grand women’s conference on the theme “Women empowered by inner strength – architects of world peace” in the Peace Auditorium, Sector 7.

TIRSKUND PANCHAYAT : World Peace Day was celebrated with great enthusiasm on Monday at Samaul Sankuladhin Primary School, Adivasi Tola, Madhura, Tirskund Panchayat, Forbesganj Block. On this occasion, the school children gave the message of peace by forming a human chain.

CHANDIGARH : On this International Day of Peace, we at Yuvsatta Ngo renews our commitment to nurturing young people as agents of peace, inclusion and positive change. And this year, the message becomes even more meaningful as Chandigarh prepares to welcome young people from India and around the world for the 19th Global Youth Peace Fest (GYPF 2026), 30 September – 2 October 2026

GWALIOR : Video of address at a program organized by the Kushwaha community at Bela ki Baodi in Gwalior for the International Day of Peace .

HATHRAS : International Peace Day was celebrated in Hathras on Monday. Several events were held in the city to promote world peace, non-violence, and mutual harmony. The main event took place at SSD School on Agra Road. Children and teachers lit candles and prayed for world peace and the well-being of humanity.

JALANDHAR : The International Day of Peace was celebrated with great enthusiasm and commitment by the students of the various school branches of St. Soldier institutions. The students carried posters and emblems of doves and the earth, symbols of brotherhood and non-violence. The programme concluded with a collective pledge by the students to promote peace and kindness in their daily lives.

KODERMA : The campus of PVSS DAV Public School, Jhumritilaiya, was filled with messages of peace, non-violence, tolerance, and universal brotherhood on Monday. The school celebrated International Peace Day in a dignified and enthusiastic atmosphere. Students gave the message of peace through speeches and poems. Akriti Singh of Class IX-A expressed her views on the need for peace through an English speech. Samridhi Verma of Class IX-B presented a Hindi speech. Aarohi Gupta of Class VII-A expressed her sentimental views on peace and harmony through an English poem and Aarvi Verma of the same class through a Hindi poem.

KOLKATA : On the occasion of the United Nations International Day of Peace, Pragyan Foundation celebrated International Day of Peace with a seminar dedicated to promoting peace, unity, harmony, and collective well-being at Pragyan Bhavan.

KOLKATA : International Peace Day was celebrated at Agrasen Balika Shiksha Sadan. Girl students took out a peace march. Under the Bharat Scouts and Guides umbrella, eighth- and ninth-grade students from the Agrasen Balika Shiksha Sadan Guide Group enthusiastically participated in the peace march. During the rally, the students raised awareness about peace, non-violence, unity, and brotherhood through posters, slogans, and various messages.

MIRZAPUR : At KBPG College in Mirzapur on International Peace Day, the program began with a prayer to Goddess Saraswati and a welcome song. Students from the Music Department presented a beautiful musical performance. Brahma Kumari Dr. Sunita Didi addressed the students on the topic, “Stay Positive, No Matter What.” She explained that life circumstances don’t always go our way, but with positive thinking and a strong mindset, one can face even the most difficult situations.

MUSAFFARPUR : A seminar was held under the auspices of the National Students’ Union (NSS) at RDS College on Monday to mark International Peace Day.

MUZAFFARPUR : ORGANIZATION: GIRL UP SONY. “She Creates, She Leads” will be a youth-led campaign in Muzaffarpur, Bihar, combining 3 offline and 5 online sessions during Campaign Nonviolence Action Days. Through conversations, storytelling and interactive activities, we will promote women’s empowerment, gender equality and women’s entrepreneurship, while encouraging young people to support peaceful and nonviolent solutions to discrimination and barriers faced by women. The campaign will also highlight women entrepreneurs as role models of leadership and positive change.

NEW DELHI : Video of International Day of Peace event at Gandhi Smriti, where Gandhi spent his last days.

ORAI : On the occasion of World Peace Day, the Maun Sadhna Parivar organized a peace march to spread the message of love, peace, and global unity. Practitioners of Maun Sadhna from various parts of the country participated in the march. Following this, an interfaith conference was held at the Lodhi Dharamshala on Kuiyan Road from 2 p.m. It conveyed the message of universal love, human unity, and world peace.

POONCH : PM Shri Girls High School, Degwar, organized an inspirational program to mark International Peace Day.

RAMGARH :International Peace Day was celebrated on Monday under the auspices of the Shantidhara Foundation, Ramgarh. A prayer meeting was held at Gandhi Chowk in support of a world free of war. The program began with a two-minute silence for the souls of those killed in various wars over the past year. This was followed by candlelight tributes. A collective prayer for world peace was then recited.

JHARKHAND : World Peace Day was celebrated on Monday, September 21, 2026, at Swami Vivekananda College of Education, Salbani. The program began with the lighting of a lamp in front of the portrait of Swami Vivekananda and the late Dr. Subrata Kumar Biswas, the founding president of the college. College professor Sanjeev Kumar Tiwari, who conducted the program, said that World Peace Day reminds us that peace is not merely the absence of war, but the presence of love, respect, tolerance, and humanity.

TALIKPARAMBA : ACTION DETAILS: community prayer circle and silent vigil for global peace and harmony; interactive film screening, open-forum workshop, and seminar on nonviolent conflict resolution; local tree-planting initiative, community cleanup drive, and public advocacy meeting promoting environmental sustainability and social justice.

TARUN : A three-day training camp for the Bharat Scouts and Guides began on International Peace Day at PM Shri Composite School, in the Tarun education zone. Subhash Chandra, the new Block Education Officer, inaugurated the camp by planting a sapling on the campus along with the school family. The officer explained the importance of International Peace Day to the children. He delivered the message of love, harmony, tolerance, and brotherhood.

TRIVENIGANJ : NSS (National Service Scheme) volunteers conducted an awareness program on International Peace Day at Anuplal Yadav College in Triveniganj. They explained to villagers the importance of peace, harmony, and brotherhood.

UTTAR PRADESH : A grand program was organized at Maharishi Vidya Mandir on International Peace Day with the aim of world peace, goodwill and welfare of humanity. School teacher Subhash Chandra presented a detailed introduction of the outline and objective of the program. On this occasion, the school’s Principal RL Singh delivered the message of Veda Vidya Martand Brahmachari Dr. Girish Chandra Verma to the students and teachers present.

VARANASI : On the occasion of the International Peace Day, a special prayer was held at Shri Kashi Vishwanath Dham n Sunday to pray for world peace, harmony and brotherhood.

INDONESIA

JAKARTA : Video of celebration at Beacon Academy.

JAPAN

AMAGASAKI CITY : International Peace Day Tea Ceremony

FUJISAWA CITY : September 21st is International Peace Day. The student council has designated this day until the 25th as International Peace Week, and the assembly committee has planned a high-five event to spread smiles and peace. The rules are very simple: say hello and high-five when you pass someone. We hope that everyone’s high-fives will bring peace to our school, our community, and the world.

FUKUSHIMA CITY : Calligraphy expressing a wish for peace offered at Fukushima Prefectural Gokoku Shrine on International Peace Day by the Fukushima Higashi High School Calligraphy Club.

HAKODATE : Calligraphy Club of Hakodate Nishi High School dedicates calligraphy with the inscription “Harmony and All Nations” as a prayer for peace. 　The event was organized by “Wa Project TAISHI” (Representative: Tatsuhiko Miyamoto), which works on regional revitalization and peace activities both domestically and internationally, mainly by calligraphers. This year marked the 10th anniversary of the event. This year, 26 calligraphers and high school calligraphy clubs, among others, wrote calligraphy at 49 Gokoku Shrines nationwide, including Hiroshima and Nagasaki Peace Parks and Yasukuni Shrine (Tokyo), praying for world peace and the recovery of disaster-stricken areas.


HIKONE CITY : To coincide with International Peace Day on September 21st, a dedication calligraphy event expressing prayers for world peace was held at the Shiga Prefectural Gokoku Shrine in Osumi-cho, Hikone City. Members of the calligraphy club at Omi High School participated, powerfully writing words expressing their wishes for peace, including the character for “prayer.”

HIROSHIMA : International Peace Day event held in front of the Atomic Bomb Dome: Calligraphers express their wishes for peace through calligraphy.

IKEDA : Up until now, our school has conducted peace education on August 6th, the school day. However, starting this academic year, we have decided to hold “Hosogou Peace Day,” a school-wide initiative to deepen our understanding of peace, in conjunction with “International Day of Peace” on September 21st. In the second period, the sixth graders visited the classrooms of the first through fifth graders and conducted lessons that they had planned and prepared themselves. In the fifth period, we invited a representative from the Cabinet Office’s Headquarters for International Peace Cooperation to give a lecture to students in grades 6-9 on the theme of “Japan’s International Peace Cooperation Activities.”

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Question for this article

What has happened this year (2026) for the International Day of Peace?


Japan, Ikoma City

JAPAN – continued from left column

IKOMA CITY : A prayer for peace entrusted to calligraphy: Calligrapher from Ikoma City, Nara Prefecture, and junior and senior high school students create calligraphy at the Nara Prefectural Gokoku Shrine on “International Peace Day”. (See photo above).

KAGOSHIMA CITY : On the 21st, International Peace Day, an event was held at the Kagoshima Prefectural Gokoku Shrine. Sixteen members of the calligraphy club from Shonan High School (Kagoshima City) performed calligraphy accompanied by gagaku (ancient Japanese court music), depicting Emperor Meiji’s way of life and autumn scenery.

KANAZAWA CITY : On the 21st, at Gokoku Shrine in Kanazawa City, 13 high school students from Komatsu Otani and Aviation Ishikawa performed calligraphy, also praying for the recovery of Noto.

Among them, the students from Aviation Ishikawa wrote the characters for “peace and tranquility,” representing a peaceful and calm world. The students from Komatsu Otani expressed the importance of connecting people, with the theme of “bonds.”

KOBE CITY : 21st is “PEACE DAY.” To coincide with this day, cinemo is designating September 17th (Thu) to 23rd (Wed/Holiday), 2026 as “Peace Day Week” and will be holding the “PEACE DAY Film Festival 2026” nationwide, featuring screenings of films with a peace theme. Through film, we aim to help people understand the current state of the world and inspire them to think about and act on peace. Amusesta! KOBE also sympathizes with the spirit of this initiative and will be holding screenings as part of the “PEACE DAY Film Festival 2026” on September 21st and 22nd.

KUMAMOTO CITY : In conjunction with the United Nations’ International Day of Peace; “Let there be peace; let us build a world without conflict.” Calligraphy by Shokei Junior and Senior High School (Kumamoto City).

MIYAZAKI CITY : In conjunction with International Peace Day on the 21st of this month, high school students in Miyazaki City created calligraphy expressing their wishes for world peace. 

On the 25th, four members of the Miyazaki Omiya High School Calligraphy Club visited the Miyazaki Prefectural Gokoku Shrine in Miyazaki City and created a work on a 1.5-meter-high by 3-meter-wide sheet of paper, expressing their wishes for world peace and the recovery of areas affected by disasters such as the Kumamoto earthquake.

MORIOKA CITY : High school students from Morioka City have dedicated calligraphy, expressing their wishes for peace, to a shrine. Eight members of the Morioka Second High School calligraphy club from Iwate Prefecture took part. The students wrote phrases such as “Peace without disaster,” “Peace for the future,” and “Prayer” on a sheet of paper measuring 1.6 meters high and 3.1 meters wide. The artwork will be displayed at Iwate Gokoku Shrine for one year.

NAGASAKI : On the 21st, the International Day of Peace, Approximately 50 people, including members of the Nagasaki Prefecture Atomic Bomb Survivors’ Handbook Association, local residents, and foreign tourists, participated in ringing the “Bell of Nagasaki.” Precisely at noon, they all pulled on the rope together, creating a sound that symbolizes a wish for peace. In front of the Peace Memorial Statue, calligrapher Yoshie Koshihara presented a work themed “Prayer for World Peace.” She wrote the words of the late atomic bomb survivor physician, Tatsushiro Akizuki: “Let us leave our minor differences aside and gather together for the greater good.”

NAGASAKI : On September 21st, the United Nations’ International Day of Peace, a performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 will be held at the Benex Nagasaki Brick Hall in Nagasaki City. The orchestra will consist of approximately 90 members and a chorus of about 160, with participation from Kwassui High School, Shimabara High School, and Nagasaki University. The project’s overall director is world-renowned conductor Leona Ito.

NANTO CITY : On the 21st, the “International Day of Peace” designated by the United Nations, a Japanese taiko drum performance was held in the Taira area of Nanto City, Toyama Prefecture, to pray for peace.

NARA CITY : On the 23rd, a ceremonial calligraphy dedication took place at the Nara Prefecture Gokoku Shrine (Chief Priest: Shigeto Kitamori) in Furuichi-cho, Nara City. Calligrapher Mizuha Yamanaka (33), a resident of Ikoma City, and six students from the calligraphy club of Nara Gakuen Tomigaoka Junior and Senior High School took up their brushes for the event.

NIIGATA : Female calligrapher, Saisui Shimoda: I will once again be offering calligraphy at Niigata Prefectural Gokoku Shrine this year on Wednesday, September 23rd. This year marks my 10th year participating in this activity. Wielding my brush in the hope of peace.This year, from Shimoda Calligraphy Association, Ayami Shimoda, Koki Shimoda, and four students will be doing the calligraphy. Additionally, nine students from the calligraphy club at Niigata Daiichi High School will be participating.

OITA CITY : September 21st is the United Nations’ International Day of Peace. At the Oita Prefectural Gokoku Shrine in Oita City, a prayer for world peace was expressed through calligraphy.

OKAYAMA : Video of high school students showcasing calligraphy at a shrine to pray for peace and disaster recovery, coinciding with the UN’s “World Day of Peace”.

OMIYA : In conjunction with the United Nations’ International Day of Peace (September 21), a votive calligraphy offering of prayers for peace, was held at the Saitama Gokoku Shrine in Omiya Ward, Saitama City. Four calligraphers, including Kaori Sekine, and two students from the calligraphy club of Saitama Prefectural Omiya Commercial High School, offered their calligraphy, and participating citizens also contributed characters such as “peace” and “love.”

OSAKA : On September 21st, the United Nations’ International Day of Peace, a bell was rung in Osaka as a symbol of hope for peace. The World Peace Bell

　was rung in Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park in Osaka. The bell was made by casting coins from around the world that were donated at the 1990 International Garden and Greenery Exposition.

SAGA CITY : [Video]　In conjunction with the United Nations’ International Day of Peace (21st), a calligraphy dedication event expressing wishes for peace was held at the Saga Prefectural Gokoku Shrine in Saga City. This year marked the 10th anniversary of the event, and 13 students from the Saga Commercial High School Calligraphy Club took to the helm, expressing their hopes for world peace and the recovery of areas affected by the Kumamoto earthquake and heavy rain disasters. The students powerfully inscribed a message beginning with “Praying for world peace” on a piece of paper measuring 1.5 meters high and 6 meters wide. They included phrases such as “Connecting our thoughts and illuminating the future” and “Accepting differences and supporting each other,” concluding with “Towards a tomorrow where all lives can smile.

SENDAI : (Video) Today is the International Day of Peace, and a prayer for world peace was held at the Miyagi Gokoku Shrine. The performance, by the calligraphy club of my alma mater, Sendai Ikuei Gakuen—infused with prayers for peace, was truly spectacular.

TAKARAZUKA CITY : Today is International Peace Day. I participated in the “Peace Bell” event held at Suehiro Central Park and rang the bell in prayer for lasting world peace. In 1989, Takarazuka City declared itself a “Nuclear-Free Peace City,” and has been carrying out various peace-related events with the aim of realizing a peaceful society, while passing on to future generations the horrors of war, the importance of peace, and the preciousness of life.

TAKAYAMA CITY : In conjunction with “International Peace Day” on the 21st, the Hida Takayama High School Calligraphy Club powerfully displayed their calligraphy expressing their hopes for world peace at Hida Gokoku Shrine in Horibata-cho, Takayama City.

TOKUSHIMA CITY : To commemorate International Peace Day, high school students performed a calligraphy demonstration at a shrine in Tokushima City on the 22nd, expressing their wish for world peace. At the Gokoku Shrine in Tokushima City, calligrapher Yukako Okachi , a native of Tokushima Prefecture, and five members of the Jonan High School Calligraphy Club each performed a calligraphy demonstration. The students powerfully wrote the words “Keiō Kairai,” meaning to inherit the past and forge a path to the future, on a large sheet of paper measuring 2 meters high and 3 meters wide. Rinno Yamashita, Head of the Jonan High School Calligraphy Club said “We chose this calligraphy to express our desire to continue carrying on the spirit that our predecessors have passed down to us.” “We would be happy if people feel inspired to work together to build a peaceful world.

TOKYO : On September 20th, coinciding with Peace Day (September 21st), Human Trust Cinema Shibuya will host the “PEACE DAY × International Peace Film Festival 2026”.

TOKYO : Regarding “PEACE DAY 2026 @ Yoyogi Park,” which was scheduled to be held at Yoyogi Park on Monday, September 21st (national holiday), 
after repeated discussions among the organizers and related parties in light of the weather conditions due to the approach of Typhoon No. 25, we have decided to cancel the event
, prioritizing the safety of all attendees, performers, exhibitors, staff, and everyone involved in the event . Although the event at Yoyogi Park has been cancelled, on September 21st (Monday, public holiday), we will be holding a live streaming event from 13:00 to 17:00, featuring talks
, as an opportunity to send a message of PEACE DAY, together with the performers, staff, and organizations working on peace activities .The broadcast will be available on the
 YouTube Live platform, as originally planned.

UTSUNOMIYA CITY : On the 21st, “International Peace Day,” high school students held a calligraphy performance at a shrine in Utsunomiya City.

UWAJIMA : International Peace Day: Bell-ringing ceremony held in Uwajima, Ehime Prefecture, the birthplace of the “Peace Bell.” This initiative is held annually at Taiheiji Temple in Uwajima City to coincide with International Peace Day. Approximately 50 citizens and others gathered to ring the temple bell.

MALAYSIA

KUALA LUMPUR : Diverse local communities gathered at the Church of the Sacred Heart on Jalan Peel to celebrate thr International Day of Peace. The occasion featured a symbolic Peace Walk, a dedicated Peace Pole Planting Ceremony, and vibrant cultural performances showcasing Malaysia’s rich diversity

MONGOLIA

ULAANBAATAR : The United Nations in Mongolia organized a special ceremony to celebrate International Peace Day, celebrating world peace, harmony, and human well-being. Representatives from various religions and spiritual organizations gathered together to express their deepest condolences and prayers for peace and the well-being of humanity. Held at the Peace Bell in front of Sukhbaatar Square, the ceremony was attended by representatives from various organizations, including the UN Resident Coordinator in Mongolia. The Brahma Kumaris’ participation in the ceremony brought a message of spiritual peace and spiritual awakening. All delegates lit peace lamps and participated in the collective ringing of the Peace Bell.

NEPAL

KATHMANDU : Photo of World Peace Day celebration at Bouddhanath, the largest spherical Buddhist stupa in Nepal and a major spiritual center.

PULCHOWK : (Poster) Inner Wheel District 350 Nepal. Please join us in celebrating the international day of peace and be part of this meaningful program.

RUPANDEHI : September 23, 2026. The 17th World Peace Forum program has been organized in Lumbini, the birthplace of Buddha. This three-day international program, which will run from Monday to Wednesday, is being organized for the first time in South Asia. Previously, this forum has been held in Barcelona, Spain, and South Africa. The main theme of the program is ‘Reimagining Peace in the 21st Century’. Discussions are focused on climate justice, sustainable development, and tourism development. According to Basudev Gautam, founder and chairman of the Lumbini World Peace Forum, the program has the presence of renowned personalities at the national and international level. International speakers and representatives include Vicky Hansen, President of International Schengen Peace Foundation (Luxembourg), Steve Keely AM, Founding Executive Chairman of the Institute for Economics and Peace (Australia), Dacho Dorji Dhadul, Director of Bhutan Tourism Council, and Dr. Wolfgang George Allt. Additionally, Andre Phillippe, Secretary-General of the Inter-Parliamentary Union from Geneva, conveyed good wishes through a video message.

PAKISTAN

PRESIDENT AND PRIME MINISTER : President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif have reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to international peace and a strong, effective and inclusive multilateral international system with the United Nations at its core. In their separate messages on International Day of Peace being observed today (Monday), they said Pakistan supports peaceful settlement of disputes and a comprehensive approach to conflict prevention and resolution based on dialogue, diplomacy and collective action. The Prime Minister said that strengthening a culture of peace is a shared responsibility of government institutions, civil society, religious leaders, teachers, the media, communities, and families alike.

BAHAWALPUR : The Islamia University of Bahawalpur organized a Cultural Peace Walk to mark the International Day of Peace at the Baghdad ul Jadeed Campus. A large number of students from The Islamia University of Bahawalpur representing various provinces, ethnicities, and linguistic backgrounds of Pakistan articipated in the walk.

ISLAMABAD : Islamabad Peace Club.
We are designing a session to introduce NVC through interactive activities and reflections.

RAWALPINDI : World Peace Day was observed in Rawalpindi like elsewhere across the world with various activities organized by government, educational, social and cultural institutions to promote peace, tolerance, mutual respect and dialogue in society. As part of the observance, an exhibition of paintings and posters prepared by artists was held at the Punjab Arts Council Rawalpindi, highlighting messages of peace, human values, brotherhood and social harmony through art. Speakers at different events emphasized that sustainable peace was not limited to ending conflicts and wars but also required promotion of tolerance, justice, equal opportunities, mutual respect and peaceful coexistence in society.

SHINKIARI MANSEHRA : I educate the class 7th student about non violence and I will arrange a documentary session for these students, there are 15 students participated in this activity and these students also draws awareness charts.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

PORT MORESBY : The W.K. Kiddie Peace & Gutpela Sindaun Foundation Inc, again took the lead to host the World Peace Day celebrations in Port Moresby on Monday, September 21, 2026. Video: Here are some highlights of the event.

PHILIPPIINES

MAKATA CITY, METRO MANILA : 153 members gathered at the International Inner Whee (IW) Philippines Headquarters to celebrate the International Day of Peace, entitled “Imagine Peace in Our Hands.” National President Jeisala urged members to stand united, while NR Amelia shared her vision of IW Philippines as a powerful force for friendship, service, peace, and positive change. International Board Director Donna R. Jiao emphasised celebrating global sisterhood all year round, and Past International President Zenaida Yungco-Farcon shared a touching message on forgiveness, reminding everyone to serve with boundless compassion.
A special highlight featured video messages of peace and greetings from sister clubs across the globe, symbolising One World of Peace. The celebration concluded in inspiring harmony as members joined voices to sing John Lennon’s Imagine.

SOUTH KOREA

JEJU : Reflect on the meaning of “peace” in daily life through performances and experiences! The 2026 Jeju Peace Culture Festival will be held at the Jeju International Peace Center! The event includes a ceremony commemorating the United Nations International Day of Peace, as well as celebratory performances by the Bliss Children’s Choir, the Tanner Chamber Orchestra, and singer Jung Soo-jung. In addition to peace-themed exhibitions and artist lectures, various cultural experiences will be offered, including a peace sticker collection challenge, making peace message badges, creating recycled plaster air fresheners, and making tomato dolls.

SEOUL : On the occasion of the International Day of Peace celebrated in Korea, the International Peace Forum was held to strengthen the value of peace in the face of ongoing conflicts, humanitarian crises, and climate threats. The forum was attended by Mr. Ban Ki-moon, who delivered the main speech.

SRI LANKA

VANTHARUMOOLAI: The notion that peacebuilding is not simply the responsibility of governments, politicians and peace organisations, but is also a responsibility of educational institutions, appears to be permeating the consciousness of at least a section of the academic community. This was visible on International Peace Day at an event held at Eastern University by the Faculty of Health-Care Sciences. The event was unusual not least because the medical and nursing faculty of the university had decided that peacebuilding was relevant to its academic and professional responsibilities.

THAILAND

BANGKOK : Video from International School Bangkok. · , our ISB community came together to reflect on a simple but powerful idea: peace is something we all have a part in creating. It can begin with how we listen, how we include others, how we show kindness, and how we choose to treat one another each day. Because peace is not only something we hope for around the world. It is something we can practice right here, in our classrooms, across our campus, and throughout our community.

BANGKOK : Bangkok Patana School. Throughout the week, classes discussed what a peaceful school looks and feels like. Students shared which spaces around campus help them feel calm and happy, and reflected on moments when school feels less peaceful. They also considered how simple actions, from including someone in a game to offering a kind word or helping a younger student, can make a positive difference to others. To mark the International Day of Peace, students wore blue and learned about the paper crane, an internationally recognised symbol of peace and hope. Buddy classes came together to teach and learn the art of origami, creating cranes that will be collected and displayed as a reminder that even small actions can have a lasting impact.

VIETNAM

HO CHI MINH CITY : In response to the United Nations International Day of Peace, at the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City, the program was organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Peace Committee (HPC) and the Ho Chi Minh City Peace and Development Fund (HPDF) in collaboration with the Global Flagship of Peace. In her speech, Ms. Ton Nu Thi Ninh, President of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Defense Forces and the Ho Chi Minh City Peace Committee shared with international friends her reflections on Vietnam’s history, its diplomatic identity , and its path to reconciliation. She emphasized that a painful yet resilient history is a sacred part of national memory, not something to be erased or forgotten. However, our approach to history should be forward-looking: remembering to understand, understanding to reconcile, and reconciling to build the future together. Also, the War Remnants Museum (Ho Chi Minh City) inaugurated a new exhibition space with three themes: “Remembrance.” The message of peace continued to spread through the arts program featuring Vietnamese artists. The program opened with a performance by the group Orange Happiness, composed of Agent Orange/Dioxin victims from Ho Chi Minh City, who sang the songs “Take Me to Brooklyn,” “You Raise Me Up,” and “Nối Vòng Tay Lớn” (Joining Hands in a Large Circle).

QUANG TRI PROVINCE : An international seminar titled “From Memory to the Future: The Value of Peace” was held in Quang Tri Province as part of the activities leading up to the 2026 Festival for Peace marking the 45th anniversary of the International Day of Peace. Pham Quang Vinh, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, former Vietnamese Ambassador to the United States, and President of the Vietnam-USA Society, said, “The aspiration for peace—the desire to bring peace to the world and cooperate for shared development—is a common human longing. It is a goal that the entire world has joined hands to pursue for years. From the suffering caused by war, we have drawn lessons and insights on how to make peace a reality and ensure its sustainability.” Delegates discussed “The value of peace in today’s volatile world” and “Building a culture of peace for a sustainable future.” Over 120 domestic and international delegates signed a message addressed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres: “We stand here, joining hands in a shared wish: Peace for every person, every household, and every nation. No war against anyone, anywhere, or for any reason.”

East Asia, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, South Asia,

Tabling of the Ocean of Peace Alliance and Australia-Fiji Vuvale Union

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

An article from the Foreign Ministry of Australia

Ministerial statement 11 August 2026

At a time of great uncertainty, risk and contestation, the Albanese Government recognises that Australia cannot afford to be a passive observer of the profound changes occurring around us.

Photo from Instagram

The Ocean of Peace: Vision to Treaty  weighs the benefits and risks of turning the Ocean of Peace Declaration, endorsed by Pacific leaders in 2025, into a legally binding agreement.

The paper proposes negotiating a new regional peace and security treaty as a Protocol to the Treaty of Rarotonga.

Peace is never a given.

And we are not here to just occupy the space.

For the past four years, we have been building Australia’s future in our
region.

A future built through partnerships, not coercion.

A future built by the countries and peoples of our region.

And that is why, from the outset, the Albanese Government has listened to our region, engaged with respect and humility, and acted on our shared priorities.

We are investing in being the partner of choice for our immediate region, including the Pacific.

We are using all tools of statecraft to invest in Pacific relationships, trust and regionalism.

Embracing Pacific leadership and backing initiatives that make our region safer, more prosperous and more resilient.

And we could not have had a better partner in this than Fiji.

Under Prime Minister Rabuka, Fiji has crafted and tirelessly championed a vision of our Blue Pacific as an ‘Ocean of Peace’ that the Pacific family has embraced.

As Prime Minister Rabuka described it:

“a region in which strategic competition is managed; where stability is the touchstone of regional relationships; and where coercion is eschewed.

A region where differences are resolved peacefully’.

Fiji is a leader in our region, and one of only three Pacific island countries with a military.

Australian and Fijian service men and women have stood shoulder to shoulder in two world wars, in deployments to support our region’s security, and in peacekeeping missions across the world.

And it is in the shared pursuit of peace, stability and prosperity, that we deepen our partnership.

I know Prime Minister Albanese was deeply moved to receive Fiji’s highest honour – the Companion of the Order of Fiji – on the same day as signing these landmark treaties.

As the name of our treaty suggests, Australia and Fiji are one family, one Vuvale.

Australia was honoured to accept Prime Minister Rabuka’s proposal for the Ocean of Peace Alliance.

An Alliance is the highest act of trust between two nations.

This is Fiji’s first Alliance and only Australia’s fourth.

It will build ever deeper levels of interoperability.

We will, plan, train, exercise and deploy together, strengthening our combined capability, to enhance our respective sovereignty and to ensure our nations’ and our region’s security at a time of fracture and of disruption.

The Vuvale Union Treaty is equally important.

It will be a multi-generational endeavour to integrate our economies, our security and our peoples.

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Question for this article:

Where in the world are zones of peace?

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It is backed by more than a billion dollars of investment over a decade, including grants and loans.

On Security: together, we will elevate our fight against the scourge of transnational crime and illicit drugs.

With an investment of $181 million, the AFP will work hand in hand with the Fiji Police Force to disrupt criminal networks and strengthen intelligence to interdict drugs before they reach Fijian or Australian shores.

We will support Australian doctors and nurses to enhance specialist training for Fiji’s health workers, boosting Fiji’s response to fastest-growing HIV outbreak in the world.

Under our economic pillar, we will finance nation-building infrastructure – ports, and major climate adaptation projects – strengthening Fiji’s role as a regional hub.

And we will back Fiji’s economic diversification agenda, supporting secure digital infrastructure, enhancing critical infrastructure investment screening, and increasing supply chain resilience.

Our final pillar is our People.

Australia and Fiji are linked by deep personal connections, including more than 100,000 people in Australia with Fijian heritage.

Our multifaith, multicultural communities and First Nations peoples share a strong bond.

For thousands of years, Australia’s First Nations peoples have maintained connections across our region.

During World War II, Fijian missionaries, skilled farmers, builders and sailors, worked alongside the Yolŋu people and elders still recall the esteem with which they were held.

The theme of this year’s Garma festival was ‘Bukmak’ – a local Yolŋu word meaning “everyone”.

The same name was gifted to the Bukmak Forum established through the Vuvale Union.

The Forum will bring together government, traditional, faith and business leaders as our two nations build a shared future.

Yolŋu elder Djapirri Mununggirritj travelled forty hours from Yirrkala to stand with our Prime Ministers at the Treaty’s signing.

And a Fijian delegation, including Fiji’s Minister for Women, Sashi Kiran, and traditional leaders, joined this year’s Garma festival.

This reflects the spirit of shared history, purpose and vision that drive the partnership between Australia and Fiji.

And the foundations upon which we have now chosen to elevate our bilateral relationship.

Colleagues, these two treaties tabled in Parliament today will transform our relationship, far beyond what was contemplated when we started this journey together.

They will form a durable structure for generations of the future.

I have just returned from Fiji where Pacific Islands Forum Foreign Ministers reaffirmed our Leaders’ call to give practical effect to the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration.

And these are the first two treaties to answer that call.

As Prime Minister Rabuka has said, these treaties reaffirm Fiji and Australia as trusted partners working together not only to benefit each other, but as contributors to a more stable, peaceful and resilient Blue Pacific continent.

We know that in these unprecedented and dangerous times, we are stronger together.

And everything we do will also be aimed at supporting our Pacific region.

Investments in Fiji will flow on to the Pacific family, which relies on Fiji as a regional hub for transport, logistics, education and healthcare.

Mr Deputy President, these two treaties send an unequivocal signal of our commitment to each other and to the Pacific family.

They will help realise the vision of an Ocean of Peace to make us all more secure, prosperous and resilient.

I commend the Ocean of Peace Alliance and Vuvale Union treaties to the Senate for consideration.

Media enquiries

Minister’s office: (02) 6277 7500
DFAT Media Liaison: (02) 6261 1555

[Editor’s note: Click here for a copy of the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration. Note that it commits to cultivating a culture of peace grounded in the Pacific Way. As described here, it is supported by Australia, Cook Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Fiji, French Polynesia, the Republic of Kiribati, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, New Caledonia, the Republic of Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, the Republic of Palau, the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, the Kingdom of Tonga, Tuvalu and the Republic of Vanuatu]

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DISARMAMENT & SECURITY, East Asia, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

Indonesia: Building peace from the slopes of Mount Muria

TOLERANCE AND SOLIDARITY .

An article by Teguh Karyanto from Anabaptist World

Wiyata Wacana Christian Religious College (STAKWW), in collaboration with the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC), held a peace curriculum development discussion with Christians and Muslims on the slopes of Mount Muria, Central Java, on May 6, 2026. — Ellia Christin Wardhani

The demonstration that led to the Aug. 13, 2025, demonstration  in Pati, Central Java, is a reminder that the need for education that builds a culture of peace is becoming increasingly urgent. Differences in interests and views can easily develop into violence if not managed through dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution. This condition shows that peace is not just an ideal, but a skill and value that needs to be built in social life.

Building on this awareness, the Wiyata Wacana Christian Religious College (STAKWW), in collaboration with Mennonite Central Committee, held a peace curriculum development discussion on the slopes of Mount Muria, Central Java, on May 6. This activity brought together academics, church leaders, peace practitioners and international partners to formulate a curriculum that is able to instill the values of peace, reconciliation, justice and conflict transformation in theology education in Indonesia.

Through the development of this curriculum, STAKWW and MCC hope to prepare church and community leaders who not only have a strong theological understanding, but are also able to become agents of peace who bring dialogue, strengthen reconciliation and build a more just and harmonious coexistence in a pluralistic society. Here are five things about peace service.

1. STAKWW Pati initiates peace curriculum development

This discussion is a strategic step for STAKWW in developing a curriculum that is relevant to the challenges of the pluralistic life of the Indonesian people. The participants had a dialogue about concepts, learning materials, teaching methods and the implementation of peace education in the context of the church and society. This activity is expected to produce a curriculum that is not only academic, but also shapes the character of students as peacemakers. Through collaboration between academics, practitioners and church leaders, this curriculum is designed to be able to respond to the needs of community service and empowerment in a contextual manner. This discussion found topics of nonviolent learning and conflict transformation.

2. The slopes of Mount Muria become a space for peace reflection

The choice of location on the slopes of Mount Muria, which is on the north coast of Java, has its own meaning. The region, which is known as a place for a tradition of dialogue, tolerance and harmonious community life, was the right space for reflection to discuss the values of peace. The calm atmosphere encouraged participants to hold deep conversations about the importance of education as a means of social transformation. In addition to being a place for discussion, the beautiful natural environment also invited participants to reflect on the relationship between spirituality, concern for others and responsibility for creation. This learning experience that is integrated with the local context strengthens the participants’ commitment to bring the values of peace into their daily lives and ministry.

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Question for this article

Religion: a barrier or a way to peace?, What makes it one or the other?

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3. MCC shows commitment to peace education

This activity received support from Mennonite Central Committee, which is strongly committed to promoting peace, reconciliation and community development. MCC’s support for the development of a peace curriculum in Indonesia, as well as strengthening cooperation between theological educational institutions and international networks, are building a culture of peace. Through this partnership, STAKWW Pati has the opportunity to enrich a global perspective while developing an educational approach that remains rooted in the local Indonesian context. Continued collaboration is expected to encourage the birth of various educational, research and community service initiatives oriented towards peaceful transformation.

4. Cross-generational and cross-institutional collaboration

The discussion brought together lecturers, researchers, church leaders, students and international partners in an open-dialogue atmosphere. Various experiences and perspectives were shared to enrich the preparation of the peace curriculum, so as to be able to respond to the challenges of social conflict, cultural diversity and the needs of the church in building a peaceful coexistence. Such cross-background interactions create mutually enriching learning spaces, where each participant can contribute based on their experience and expertise. Through collaborative dialogue, participants also identified various learning strategies that encourage students to become agents of peace who are able to bring reconciliation in society.

5. Building a generation of peacemakers

Through this activity, STAKWW affirmed its commitment to produce graduates who not only have theological competence, but also become agents of peace in society. The peace curriculum is expected to be the foundation for the birth of church and community leaders who are able to build dialogue, strengthen reconciliation, and present the values of love, justice, and peace in the life of the nation and state. Through an integrative learning process, students will be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and character needed to respond to various social problems wisely and constructively. Thus, STAKWW hopes that its graduates can make a real contribution to the realization of an inclusive, harmonious, and empowered community in facing various challenges in the future.

The discussion on the development of the Peace Curriculum at STAKWW is an important milestone in strengthening the role of theological education as a means of social transformation. With the support of MCC and the collaboration of various parties, this initiative is expected to give birth to a contextual peace education model, rooted in Christian values, and able to make a real contribution to the realization of a peaceful, inclusive and civilized Indonesian society.

More than just curriculum development, this initiative is a long-term investment to shape a generation of church leaders, educators, and agents of change who are able to build dialogue, manage conflicts constructively, and bring about reconciliation in a pluralistic society. From the slopes of Mount Muria, STAKWW and MCC affirmed their commitment to continue to knit a web of peace through education, so that the values of love, justice and respect for the dignity of every human being can be realized in the life of society, nation and state.

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Teguh Karyanto is a pastor at Javanese Mennonite Church (GITJ) Pesantenan Pati, lecturer of Wiyata Wacana Seminary Indonesia, secretary of GITJ Synod, member of Global Anabaptist Higher Education Network (GAHEN) and specialist of Mission Commission under Mennonite World Conference (MWC).

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East Asia, TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY

UNESCO Korean workshop: Translating Peace into Action

… TOLERANCE AND SOLIDARITY …

A page from Linked-in of Edvard Grigoryan

From declarations to action — translating peace into something you can actually feel.

This June, I had the honor of being one of 42 youth leaders from 33 countries selected to take part in the 12th Youth Leadership Workshop on GCED in Seoul, Republic of Korea.

The theme couldn’t have spoken more directly to my work in Peace and Conflict Resolution: “Translating Peace into Action: Leveraging Media and the Arts for Youth Advocacy.”

We kept returning to one question that has stayed with me since:
“Do we have the courage to face the realities of our time, and allow ourselves to feel deeply enough that it transforms us and our future?”

Over five intensive days, we moved beyond theory and into practice. A few moments that marked me:

→ A keynote on whether youth can truly promote peace in an era of global crisis

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Question for this article:

Youth initiatives for a culture of peace, How can we ensure they get the attention and funding they deserve?

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→ A powerful session on the Art of Peacebuilding through Theatre of the Oppressed, turning conflict into embodied understanding

→ Hands-on labs on Media and Information Literacy and countering hate speech — essential skills for anyone working in conflict-sensitive spaces

→ Confronting ethics and empathy in the age of AI

→ A deeply moving visit to the War & Women’s Human Rights Museum, a reminder of why this work matters

→ And throughout it all, designing real, community-based action plans we’ll carry home

What made this experience extraordinary was the people — peacemakers, artists, journalists, and changemakers from every corner of the world, all proving that peace is not a policy text. It’s something we build, practice, and live every day.

This workshop was made possible by UNESCO Asia-Pacific Centre of Education for International Understanding (APCEIU) and the UNESCO MGIEP Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development, in partnership with the GCED Youth Network — a remarkable demonstration of UNESCO’s commitment to equipping young people to lead transformative change.

For someone whose path is rooted in peace and conflict resolution, this was more than a workshop. It was a reminder that the most durable peace begins with empathy — and that media and the arts may be among our most underused tools for advocacy.

Grateful, energized, and ready to translate this into action.

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East Asia, EDUCATION FOR PEACE, TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY

Pacific Islands: New paper proposes turning the Ocean of Peace Declaration into a regional treaty

DISARMAMENT AND SECURITY .

An article from the Pacific Security College

Evolving the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration into a regional peace and security treaty could provide predictability in a period of increasing geostrategic competition, a new policy paper published by the Pacific Security College suggests.


Leaders at the Ocean of Peace Commemorative Ceremony at the 54th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders’ Meeting in Honiara, Solomon Islands. Photo: Pacific Security College

The Ocean of Peace: Vision to Treaty  weighs the benefits and risks of turning the Ocean of Peace Declaration, endorsed by Pacific leaders in 2025, into a legally binding agreement. The paper proposes negotiating a new regional peace and security treaty as a Protocol to the Treaty of Rarotonga.

Author Ben Burdon said that, amid growing geopolitical tensions, it was useful to reflect on how the Pacific could maximise its agency and authority in its own interests.

“The Pacific’s strategic vision is made clear in the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration,” Mr Burdon said.

[Editor’s note: Click here for a copy of the Blue Pacific Ocean of Peace Declaration. Note that it commits to cultivating a culture of peace grounded in the Pacific Way.]

“Embedding the Ocean of Peace and Pacific values and norms into international law and practice, as has been done with nuclear weapons, fishing and climate change, is a potential next step.

“Negotiating a new treaty as a protocol to Rarotonga would turn a respected nuclear-free zone into a legally binding regional peace and security system – one built and owned by the Pacific.”

The protocol proposed in the paper – dubbed ‘Rarotonga II’ – includes principles such as establishing the Pacific as a Zone of Peace, recognising climate security as a peace obligation, and providing a mechanism for external partners to formally commit to Pacific peace and security law and practice.

“Rarotonga II would introduce prior consultation, transparency and collective discussion. It would reduce surprise and mistrust between Pacific countries and external powers, while strengthening regionalism,” Mr Burdon said.

In 2027, China is expected to acquire the capability to retake Taiwan militarily. While capacity does not equate intent, Mr Burdon’s paper notes that the Pacific’s strategic geography would be critical for military access and denial.

“While a regional peace and security treaty is not without risk, the strategic guardrails set out in such an agreement could help the Pacific manage the difficult geopolitical environment ahead,” Mr Burdon said.

Professor Dave Peebles, Director of the Pacific Security College, said the paper’s publication comes at a time of growing uncertainty across the region.

“The Pacific’s capacity to come together in pursuit of common goals remains one of its greatest strengths – and one that carries particular weight in an increasingly contested strategic environment,” Professor Peebles said.

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Question for this article:

Where in the world are zones of peace?

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“The proposal will undoubtedly generate both support and critique. That’s its value, when the topic is so important and the stakes are so high.

“Policy papers published by the College are designed to prompt careful reflection and constructive debate, and to create space for diverse perspectives on the region’s most pressing issues.”

The Ocean of Peace: Vision to Treaty includes insights from four regional experts with backgrounds spanning international law, diplomacy, politics, academia and governance: Tuiloma Neroni Slade, Dr Sandra Tarte, Dr Anna Naupa and Sione Tekiteki.

Tuiloma, former Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum, observed that Mr Burdon’s account of the sensitivities involved in developing a new protocol to the Treaty of Rarotonga was both realistic and perceptive.

“I broadly agree with his assessment of both the possible benefits and the attendant risks, particularly the danger of destabilising existing security relationships, fragmenting Pacific unity, and inviting geopolitical backlash,” he said.

Tuiloma acknowledged the challenges of making and revising treaties and suggested that rather than reopening the Treaty of Rarotonga, it could be more practical to strengthen implementation of the existing text.

“The Pacific is strongest when it acts collectively. Whatever form the next steps for the Ocean of Peace may take, they will need to be guided by unity and deepened regionalism.”

Dr Tarte, from the University of the South Pacific, recognised the clear pathway set out by the paper for codifying key principles of the Ocean of Peace, while bolstering the key role the Treaty of Rarotonga plays in the Pacific’s security architecture.

“It significantly advances thinking around how to manage inter-state tensions and external engagement, thereby promoting greater transparency in security matters and reaffirming the rules-based order,” Dr Tarte said.

Dr Tarte acknowledged that the Ocean of Peace Declaration has provided a pivotal platform for advocating Pacific priorities on the global stage.

“It is time to take the next step and, as this discussion paper explores, to ‘turn vision into law’,” Dr Tarte said.

Dr Naupa, from the Pacific Security College, welcomed Mr Burdon’s pragmatism in leveraging the 40-year-old Treaty of Rarotonga and his consideration of what Pacific deterrence options look like in today’s world.

She emphasised the importance of inclusive consultation and grassroots-driven processes in any future regional peace and security decisions.

“State-led security strategies must be Pacific peoples-centred and address historical legacies,” Dr Naupa said.

“Designing a regional deterrence model needs to consider how these long-standing elements of Pacific regional policy would be integrated into the preventative diplomacy model proposed by Burdon.”

Mr Tekiteki, from the Auckland University of Technology Law School, said an Ocean of Peace protocol would be an attempt to institutionalise and safeguard Pacific agency.

“The idea of an Ocean of Peace treaty framed as a protocol to the Treaty of Rarotonga is compelling, particularly in its attempt to move the Pacific beyond the largely normative framing of the Blue Pacific Continent towards something more concrete and grounded in legal order,” he said.

“Deeper regional security coordination may strengthen solidarity and collectively position the region against intensifying geopolitical competition.”

The Pacific Security College’s policy paper series  aims to contribute a diversity of views and ideas to regional conversations about the journey to 2050.

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DISARMAMENT & SECURITY, East Asia

The China–Gulf axis is reshaping renewable energy in the Global South

.. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ..

An article by Safa Joudeh in the East Asia Forum (reprinted according to Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International

The United Arab Emirates and China are jointly delivering utility-scale wind and solar projects, with the former providing diplomatic access and financial firepower and the latter delivering the technology and construction.

In late 2025, the UAE-based company Global South Utilities launched 50-megawatt solar projects in the Central African Republic and Madagascar with Chinese firms supplying core technology. In early 2026, UAE state-owned renewable energy giant Masdar signed an agreement to build and operate the 300-megawatt Guzar Solar and Battery Energy Storage Project in Uzbekistan, again using Chinese photovoltaic modules and battery storage systems.


From Argentina to Costa Rica and Chile, Masdar is looking to replicate this model through partnerships with Latin American state-run energy projects, with China serving as the critical enabler anchoring supply chains, co-financing deals and deploying infrastructure at scale.

This pattern of China–UAE cooperation is likely to accelerate as global energy markets remain volatile following the US–Israeli war on Iran. Governments across the Global South are seeking to diversify into renewable energy sources, creating new market opportunities for emerging players. While this pattern first emerged due to energy disruptions in the wake of the pandemic, increased volatility in global energy markets in the wake of the US–Israeli war on Iran promises to further accelerate this trend

The China–UAE renewable energy axis is more than a commercial partnership. It is a convergence of state-capitalist models that is reshaping energy transitions in the Global South. By jointly expanding their global energy engagements, China and the UAE are systematically extending their strategic and commercial footprints in global energy markets, and in doing so ushering in an increasingly multipolar global energy order.

Fossil fuels still supply nearly 60 per cent of global electricity generation, with nuclear accounting for 9 per cent and renewables around one third. But the balance is beginning to shift, as renewables now drive nearly three-quarters of the year-on-year growth in electricity generation — even as fossil-fuel output continues to rise.

The drivers are largely economic. Hybrid solar and wind systems combined with battery storage can now deliver electricity at costs competitive with coal and gas. With financing and infrastructure support, green transitions are not only viable but financially rational.

Geopolitical shocks have strengthened this shift, beginning with the disruption to global oil and gas markets following international sanctions on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which supplies 80 per cent of crude oil and 90 per cent of liquefied natural gas bound for Asian markets, has triggered a severe oil supply shock.

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Question for this article:

Are we making progress in renewable energy?

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Policy responses have been contradictory. Some governments have sought to ensure fossil fuel accessibility by ramping up coal output and reinstating energy subsidies. But the crisis has also accelerated a longer-term reorientation. India is fast-tracking its wind and solar pipelines alongside emergency coal measures, while Indonesia has ordered 100 gigawatts of solar capacity and is targeting full vehicle electrification. The Philippines has also fast-tracked 1.5 gigawatts of renewable projects to secure domestic power delivery.

Against this backdrop, Chinese and Gulf companies, primarily from Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are positioned to supply renewable energy infrastructure. As the world’s largest green technology producer, China already holds a structural advantage. It controls 80–90 per cent of global solar photovoltaic manufacturing capacity while Chinese firms account for 78 per cent of the global wind turbine market. Chinese firms are also dominant in lithium-ion battery production and the processing of rare earth elements and critical minerals.

A decade of state-backed investment has driven solar photovoltaic and battery production costs down by 90 per cent, eroding the market share of Western companies like Vestas and Siemens and making Chinese firms dominant global suppliers of reliable, low-cost energy technologies.

But rising trade barriers in the West and parts of Asia, along with geopolitical tensions, have curtailed Chinese firms’ role as developers. China is responding by pivoting from developer to enabler, partnering with Gulf entities like Masdar, AMEA Power and Saudi Arabia’s Acwa to finance and develop projects that deploy Chinese technology.

The logic of the alliance is straightforward. Gulf sovereign wealth-backed developers collaborate with Chinese suppliers and contractors to construct renewable energy facilities. Gulf companies originate, design and manage projects, using diplomatic relationships to win concessions and secure financing. Chinese entities remain involved as suppliers and engineering, procurement and construction contractors. As structural demand surges in markets where the China–Gulf axis is active, these actors are positioned as the most competitive bidders for tenders across Asia, Africa and Latin America.

Masdar’s state backing gives it an exceptionally low cost of capital, enabling it to bid the lowest electricity tariffs seen in any emerging market and win government tenders across Asia, including in Uzbekistan and Indonesia. It has also set a record low solar tariff in Africa through a joint venture in Cote d’Ivoire.

Masdar relies on Chinese suppliers and contractors to win competitive tenders while bypassing Western manufacturers. The result is deeper entrenchment of Chinese technology and supply chains across Global South energy infrastructure.

The China–Gulf axis is reshaping who builds and finances renewable energy in the Global South. More importantly, it is also influencing where projects are built, on what political terms and within whose geostrategic orbit countries access and govern their energy future.

The International Energy Agency projects global renewable electricity capacity will expand by thousands of gigawatts by 2030, with global state-backed utilities positioned to dominate this landscape. The emerging risk is that the energy transition, conceived as an ecological project, is being consolidated into a new model of capital accumulation and infrastructure dependency, with a new set of state-backed green utility managers at its centre.

Africa, East Asia, Mideast, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, ,

Abu Sayyaf Threat And The Culture Of Peace In Basilan, Philippines: The Legacy Of Life And Martyrdom Fr. Rhoel Gallardo – OpEd

. EDUCATION FOR PEACE .

An article by Rommel C. Banlaoi in Eurasia Review

Fr. Rhoel Gallardo. Photo Credit: Toshiroo, Wikipedia Commons
Director Rommel Galapia Ruiz’s  film, Seeds of Peace: The Life Story of Fr. Rhoel Gallardo,  is more than a cinematic tribute; it is a stern reminder of the enduring struggle to defend faith and promote peace in the face of violent extremism.  Director Ruiz deserves the accolade for capturing the human dimension of Gallardo’s great sacrifice and situating it within the broader narrative of Basilan’s transformation from a safe haven for terrorists to a zone of peace. His work contributes not only to the preservation of memories of Fr. Gallardo but also to the rethinking of Philippine counterterrorism strategies.

My research on the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) has consistently emphasized that while the group cloaks its actions in religious rhetoric, its motivations are largely opportunistic—driven by ransom, criminality, and exploitation of local grievances. The abduction and killing of Fr. Gallardo in 2000 exemplified the nexus of crime, terrorism and violence exhibited by the ASG. Yet, his mission in Tumahubong was not simply about teaching Christian children; it was about nurturing a fragile culture of peace where Christians and Muslims could coexist despite the shadow of violent extremism from the ASG. His school became a sanctuary of dialogue, a seedbed of hope amidst fear and terror.

Gallardo’s contribution to promoting peace in Basilan resonates with the broader lesson that counterterrorism cannot be reduced to military operations alone. His life demonstrated that education, interfaith solidarity, and community empowerment are indispensable in resisting extremist narratives. This insight aligns with the Philippine government’s Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (PCVE) framework, which emphasizes community-based approaches, interfaith dialogue, and livelihood programs as complements to security operations. Gallardo’s legacy anticipated this holistic strategy, showing that the culture of peace is itself a counterterrorism tool.

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Question(s) related to this article:

What are some good films and videos that promote a culture of peace?

Islamic extremism, how should it be opposed?

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The transformation of Basilan from a stronghold of the ASG into one of the most peaceful provinces in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region is a testament to this integrated approach. Sustained military pressure and governance reforms were crucial, but equally vital were grassroots initiatives that fostered trust and resilience—initiatives that Gallardo embodied. Today, Basilan stands as a symbol of progress, with enormous declines in terrorist incidents reflecting the success of combining security with peacebuilding.

Yet, this achievement must not lead to complacency. Extremist threats persist, and the possibility of resurgence remains real. Vigilance is required to sustain the gains, and the state must continue to invest in education, livelihood, and interfaith dialogue as part of a comprehensive counterterrorism framework. Programs under the PCVE strategy must be strengthened, ensuring that communities remain resilient against extremist recruitment and propaganda.

Fr. Gallardo’s martyrdom reminds us that peace is fragile but achievable. His legacy challenges policymakers to rethink counterterrorism as a project of human security, where the culture of peace is the most enduring antidote to the culture of terror. The film Seeds of Hope ensures that his story continues to inspire, reminding us that the seeds he planted must be nurtured with vigilance, dialogue, and collective commitment. 

The film by Director Ruiz is profoundly timely as it coincides with two significant commemorations: the 26th year of Fr. Gallardo’s martyrdom and the 25th anniversary of the tragic events of 9/11. Both moments remind us of the enduring struggle against violence and the call to uphold peace, courage, and faith in the face of adversity. By reflecting on Fr. Gallardo’s sacrifice alongside the global memory of 9/11, the film becomes not only a tribute to his life but also a powerful reminder of the universal need for reconciliation, resilience, and hope in pursuit of peace.

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East Asia, EDUCATION FOR PEACE

36,000 protesters rally in Tokyo against Japanese PM Takaichi’s push to revise constitution

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY .

An article from Xinhua China News

Tens of thousands of Japanese people gathered around the parliament building in Tokyo on Sunday [April 19] to protest attempts of the government of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi to revise the country’s pacifist constitution and to call for the protection of Article 9.

About 36,000 people attended the rally, organizers said, the second protest to draw about 30,000 people near the National Diet Building against constitutional revision since April 8.



Frame from You Tube video of an additional protest on May 4

Protesters held placards reading “No to war,” “Do not undermine Article 9” and “Takaichi step down,” calling for the protection of Japan’s pacifist constitution.

“The fact that so many people have gathered here to protest the Takaichi administration’s push for constitutional revision shows that the Japanese people do not want war,” a protester surnamed Hara told Xinhua. It was her fourth time attending such a rally.

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Question related to this article:

How can the peace movement become stronger and more effective?

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Hara accused Takaichi, backed by her ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s (LDP) supermajority in the lower house, of pressing ahead with constitutional amendment in defiance of public opposition, intending to turn Japan into a country “capable of waging war,” which she said she strongly opposes.

“I hope (the Takaichi government) can listen to the voice of the people,” she added.

Another protester, identified as Takahashi, said Japan had inflicted profound suffering across Asia during wartime and that its pacifist constitution was drafted in reflection on that history. She opposes any move to revise it.

“I have nephews and nieces, and I absolutely do not want them to be sent to war someday,” said Izumi, a first-time participant. “I oppose war. Article 9 must be protected at all costs.”

Another male protester said he feared war and was alarmed by the ruling LDP’s push to revise Article 9. He expressed hope that Takaichi would step down and be replaced by leadership capable of advancing genuine democracy and that Japan would maintain friendly relations with China and countries around the world.

Japan’s Constitution, which took effect in 1947, is often referred to as the pacifist constitution because its Article 9 renounces war as a sovereign right and prohibits Japan from possessing “war potential” such as military forces.

However, both Takaichi and right-wing forces in Japan have long sought to revise Article 9. At an LDP convention on April 12, Takaichi declared that “the time has come” to reform the Constitution, saying that “we would like to hold next year’s convention with a proposal for a constitutional amendment in sight,” signalling a renewed determination that has triggered widespread concern and criticism across Japanese society. 

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DISARMAMENT & SECURITY, East Asia