FOLLOW US
Peace and Security
UPF-Japan Holds 33rd Peace Diplomats Forum
Written by UPF-Japan
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
Tokyo, Japan—UPF-Japan sponsored the 33rd Peace Diplomats Forum, whose theme was the role of Japan in the transformation of armed conflict, on July 4, 2018 at the Elizabeth Rose Conference Hall of the United Nations University. Five current ambassadors and three chargé d’affaires as well as 39 other guests, who included former members of the National Diet, UN representatives, former ambassadors of Japan, and academics and scholars, participated in the forum.
Hon. Yoshinori Ohno, a former minister of defense and a facilitator of the forum, gave the welcoming remarks to open the conference on behalf of UPF-Japan.
After a report of international and domestic activities of UPF-Japan, given by Mr. Masayoshi Kajikuri, president of UPF-Japan, Dr. Hideaki Shinoda, professor at the Graduate School of Foreign Studies of Tokyo University and an expert on such topics as the formulation of new policies for peace by the UN, gave a lecture about UN peacekeeping operations (PKOs) and Japan's role in UN peacekeeping.
Dr. Shinoda first introduced a conceptual framework of UN peace operations and then talked about armed conflict, which has been occurring more frequently in recent years, in such places as the Middle East, the Sahel region of Africa and Southeast Asia. He pointedly explained that the rise in violence is leading to “globalized civil war.”
Also, due to the transformation of armed conflict, the PKOs are facing various challenges, and Dr. Shinoda emphasized that partnerships with regional organizations are crucial. In addition, as Japan’s Self Defense Force faces difficulty in deploying troops in overseas missions, he expressed that it is possible for Japan to make other global contributions such as cooperating with nations participating in capacity-building efforts in Africa and PKOs in Asia, as well as providing technical support in supervision and analysis assignments.
In the panel discussion after the lecture, ambassadors of countries dealing with conflict expressed their appreciation for Japan and its global contributions made until now. Amb. Nobuyasu Abe, former undersecretary-general of the UN for disarmament affairs, raised a point that each country has its own unique role to play as the nature of certain conflict changes and diversified activities will be required after conflicts are resolved.
As the forum came to a close, UPF-Japan appointed a new Ambassador for Peace: Ms. Abigail Kwashi, a minister at Ghana’s embassy in Tokyo, who was presented with a certificate by Mr. Kajikuri.
If you find this page helpful and informative please consider making donation. Your donation will help Universal Peace Federation (UPF) provide new and improved reports, analysis and publications to you and everyone around the world.
UPF is a 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization and all donations are tax deductible in the United States. Receipts are automatically provided for donations of or above $250.00.
|
Donate to the Universal Peace Federation: Your donation to support the general programs of UPF. |
Donate to the Religious Youth Service (RYS): Your donation will be used for service projects around the world. |
Donate to UPF's Africa Projects: Your donation will be used for projects in Africa. |
Related Articles
Sri Lanka
UPF Conference at Sri Lankan Parliament Calls for Regional Cooperation
Colombo, Sri Lanka–The Parliament of Sri Lanka, in collaboration with ISCP and IAPP, co-organized a Parliamentarians Leadership Conference.
Kosovo
UPF-EUME's First Ladies Association Sponsors “No Peace Without Women” Conference
Pristina, Kosovo—UPF was one of the sponsors of the second annual “No Peace Without Women” conference.
Lebanon
UPF-Lebanon Hosts Interfaith Meeting
Beirut, Lebanon—UPF, under the auspices of the Interreligious Association for Peace and Development, held a meeting of 15 clergy leaders.