Father Toshiaki Koso, Pastor of St. Ignatius Church, made opening remarks at the memorial ceremony and symposium for the International Day of Peace adopted by the UN General Assembly, which were held on 21 September 2023 at the St. Ignatius Church and Sophia University, Tokyo.
International Peace Day (21/09/2023)
The International Day of Peace was commemorated at the St. Ignatius Church of Mary Cathedral, Sophia University in Tokyo.
Professor Zhang Guihong explains the Chinese position on UN Security Council reform.
China advocates (1) More developing countries should be represented in the council; (2) more countries, especially small- and medium-sized states, should have greater opportunities to serve on a rotating basis and participate in decision-making; (3) Security Council reform should adhere to the principle of geographic balance, ensuring representation of “different cultures and civilizations”; (4) all regional groupings should agree on reform proposals that concern their respective regions; and (5) any consensus on reform should reflect full democratic deliberations, as is consistent with the UN Charter. China is against adding any permanent members to the Security Council. Please click here for full text.
Prospect for Legitimacy-Based Change in the Socio-Political Crisis in Iran. (15/09/2023)
Iranian scholars Reza Arab and Forough Jonghani made presentations on the need for change sparked by protests after the death of Mahsa Amini. Initiated by the ‘Woman Life Freedom’ movement, most Iranian citizens hope for a future with a government of the people and for the people, separation of church and state, prioritization of domestic needs over adverse foreign policy, inclusion of all citizens’ ethnicities and religions, increased global trade and revived tourism, a non-partisan view of other countries’ political and social systems and international alliances.
Stimson Scholar Berg Mentions Declining Share of UN Peacekeeping Operations.
In his comment on the New Agenda for Peace, Mr. Robert Berg pointed out that the UN’s share in peacekeeping globally has been declining. The major powers want competent but not dynamic leadership at the top of the United Nations. While the constraints put on the Secretary-General are considerable, including little financial resources available, Berg found that Guterres has rightly placed his attention on overcoming the deficits of UN peacekeeping in Africa. Please click here for the full text of his speech.
Online Discussion Meeting on the New Agenda for Peace Saturday, 19 August at 9:00 p.m. Tokyo time
In his opening speech to the online meeting of former UN Special Representatives and Ambassadors to the United Nations, Professor Tshilidzi MARWALA, Rector of the UN University, warned about “the weaponization of new and emerging technologies.” MARWALA also pointed out that the rapid “developments in artificial intelligence and quantum technology-related weapons systems are exposing the insufficiency of existing global governance frameworks.” In concluding his opening remarks, MARWALA echoed the call made by Secretary-General António Guterres “to explore, formulate, and present to the UN and its member states to take concrete actions to prevent the weaponization of emerging technologies and promote their responsible application.” Please click here for the full text of his opening remarks.
The scholars and practitioners debated the efficacy of the New Agenda for Peace. (19/08/2023)
Please click here for the audio recordings of their remarks.
Online Discussion “A Critical Review: The New Agenda for Peace” (19/08/2023)
There will be an online discussion on Saturday, 19 August 2023, from 21:00 Tokyo time. If you are interested in participating in this event, please register by sending an email to Dr. Arbenita Sopaj`s email address: arbenitasopaj[@]gmail.com. Please click here for the draft details.
JCK Orientation Course (05/08/2023)
JCK orientation course was held at the Yoyogi Olympics Memorial Center on August 5, 2023. Mr. AKASHI Yasushi, GPAJ Special Advisor, and GPAJ President HASEGAWA Sukehiro delivered lectures to the participating students.
Professor Hoshino and Mr. Inoue had a lunch with Professor Hasegawa in Geneva. (10/07/2023)
Mr. Toshiya Hoshino, a former Ambassador to the United Nations and now serving as a United Nations Inspector, and Mr. Daisaku Inoue, a director of the Global Peacebuilding Association of Japan, met with Professor Sukehiro Hasegawa on 10 July 2023 at a Thai restaurant in Geneva for lunch.