Category Archives: East Asia

South Korea: Busan Film Festival and creation of world culture

EDUCATION FOR PEACE .

An article by Park Sang-seek published by the Korea Herald (reprinted by permission of the author and the publisher)

I attended as an invited guest the opening ceremony of the 22nd Busan International Film Festival on Oct. 12. I immensely enjoyed the whole ceremony and the reception. It reminded me of the 10th Singapore International Film Festival in April 1997 I attended when I served as Korean ambassador to Singapore.


Photo from the 2016 Busan festival.

After the event in Singapore I wrote an article on the SIFF in the Strait Times in which I emphasized that nations can cope with deepening racial, ethnic and cultural conflicts through cultural exchange and cooperation despite, and because of, rapid economic and social globalization.

BIFF has made me reconfirm my belief. It is ironic that economic and social globalization has actually resuscitated racial, ethnic and cultural conflicts. The reason is that the more people contact each other, the less they understand each other.

When different races develop different cultures, they become divided into different ethnic groups. Different ethnic groups form their own states (nation-states). There are also multiethnic states, but they are in general more conflict-ridden than homogeneous nation-states.

Cultural exchanges in general are more likely to promote peace among states than any other exchanges, because economic exchanges rather strengthen nationalism, while social exchange can increase immigration and migration, which in turn create racial, ethnic and cultural conflicts within a state. We are eyewitnesses to such conflicts in multiracial, multiethnic and multireligious states in both the West and non-West.

Why can cultural exchanges promote mutual understanding and empathy better among different racial, ethnic and religious peoples?

My answer is that culture is more likely to activate empathy in the human heart than any other human activity. Empathy is the main source of peace. Some scholars believe that reason is the strongest source, but empathy is more prevalent and stronger than reason in the average human.

How would an average person react to foreign cultures? She may dislike or like them. But art performances transform them into emotional panaceas and invoke empathy in audiences. Among all art forms, film is the best to build empathy because it is an integrated art form (an amalgamation of novel, poetry, music, dancing, drama, sculpture and painting) and can affect every sensual organ of the human.

Whenever I see movies, my racial, national, ethnic, educational, family and ideological backgrounds suddenly disappear and I become a primordial human being and begin to empathize with any other kind of human being.

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Question for this article:

Film festivals that promote a culture of peace, Do you know of others?

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When I watched the Iranian movie “Gabbeh,” I thought I was living with a tribe in Iran and experienced the love of mankind. I had the same experience as I had at SIFF when I saw the “Glass Garden” (a profound anatomy of human nature) showcased at BIFF. When I watched a physically handicapped girl, my psyche became instantly connected to hers, my mind melded into hers and I shared my life with her.

Film is one of the most effective and inexpensive means of promoting empathy among all humans and consequently to create a culture of peace. According to the preamble of the UNESCO constitution, “since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed.”

UNESCO believes a culture of peace can be built through education, interstate cultural exchanges and the preservation of national cultural heritage and diversity. But it has been proven that member states have been using UNESCO for the preservation of their own cultures, not for the creation of a universal culture. I personally observed this during my tenure as South Korean ambassador to UNESCO in the early 1990s.

Since UNESCO which was created to promote world culture has been unable to fulfill its objective, some other international organizations and activities have to undertake this role. BIFF and other similar organizations worldwide are most well-suited for it. I have become more convinced of this after I attended the activities of BIFF this year. BIFF may make small contributions to the creation of world culture, but its small step will lead to a giant step for humankind toward the ultimate goal.

However, it will be practically impossible to build the foundation of world culture without going through an intermediate stage: a regional stage to provide a bridge to a world culture.

Therefore, each region should establish its own regional organization for cultural cooperation. I had this in mind when I proposed a Pacific Cultural and Information Organization at a conference hosted by the Korean Commission for UNESCO in the mid-1980s. Nation-states create a regional culture in their respective regions first and work toward the creation of a global culture next. It is encouraging to note that regional film festivals are also held in all regions.

The freedom of filmmaking is one of the most important human rights. It is not surprising that dictatorships take filmmaking under state control.

BIFF can contribute to the creation of peace and global culture while promoting human exchanges better than any other cultural organization, activity or diplomacy.

After I attended the festival, I thought the programs of BIFF could be improved.

One important shortcoming of the festival is that some programs are not well internationalized. For a lack of funds, the organizer uses many university students as volunteer workers and guides, interpreters or desk workers. But they are not quite familiar with Western culture and protocol. International conferences and events are held according to Western protocol and rules of conduct and therefore BIFF should also be held according to them.

I also believe BIFF should be completely depoliticized. Otherwise, the very purpose of BIFF, the creation of a culture of peace, will never be realized.

[Publisher’s note: The author, Park Sang-seek, is a former rector at the Graduate Institute of Peace Studies at Kyung Hee University and the author of “Globalized Korea and Localized Globe.”]

East Asia, EDUCATION FOR PEACE, Uncategorized

Indonesia’s Supreme Court Upholds Water Rights

…. HUMAN RIGHTS ….

An article by Andreas Harsono for Human Rights Watch

In a landmark ruling, Indonesia’s Supreme Court this week ordered the government to restore public water services to residents in Jakarta after finding private companies “failed to protect” their right to water.

The court ordered the government to immediately revoke its contracts with two private water utilities and hand responsibility for public water supply services back to a public water utility.


Inadequate water supply service caused by privatization of Jakarta’s water supply has forced residents of low-income areas to buy expensive drinking water from street vendors and bathe in polluted public wells. © 2015 Nila Ardhianie

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The Supreme Court decision quoted residents of low-income areas in North Jakarta who blamed limited access to clean water and sanitation services on the failure of the private companies to adequately service their neighborhoods. Those residents described how the firms, PT PAM Lyonnaise Jaya and PT Aetra Air Jakarta, provided only sporadic water service, mostly limited to evening hours. The two companies were also implicated in denying water access services to residents unable to pay their bills. These residents were forced to buy expensive drinking water from street vendors and bathe in polluted public wells. “Disconnection of water services because of failure to pay due to lack of means constitutes a violation of the human right to water and other international human rights,” concluded three United Nations water experts in 2014.

Water privatization in Jakarta began in 1997 under then-President Suharto, who ordered the privatization in 1995, arguing it would improve service. Suharto ordered Jakarta’s public water utility to be divided into two operations, giving one half to a joint venture between British firm Thames Water and an Indonesian firm owned by his son. The government awarded the other privatized water operation to a joint venture between French firm Suez and Indonesia’s Salim Group, a company chaired by longtime Suharto friend Liem Sioe Liong.

The privatization contracts included guarantees that lower-income consumers would pay lower water tariffs. However, 12 residents and organizations that filed the class action lawsuit that led to the Supreme Court ruling argued that the companies deliberately underserviced lower-income consumers to prioritize higher-revenue service to wealthier consumers.

The onus is now on the government of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo to implement the court’s decision and ensure lower-income residents are no longer deprived of their rights to water and sanitation. The government should also scrutinize similar water privatization contracts in other areas including Batam, Palembang, and Banten to determine if similar discriminatory abuses are occurring there.

East Asia, HUMAN RIGHTS

Philippines: Hope, compassion reign over at the peace month culmination in Iligan

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

An article by the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process

Messages of hope and compassion reigned over here [Iligan City] on Sunday (October 1) as the people of Marawi and Iligan exchanged symbolic gifts to celebrate and cement their relationship amid challenges brought about by the ongoing crisis.

A peace gong, which was erected at the city’s public plaza, was unveiled to show the people of Marawi’s deep appreciation to the people of Iligan for unconditionally accepting them and providing them a second home.


(Click on photo to enlarge)

Deputy Presidential Peace Adviser, Undersecretary Nabil Tan, in behalf of Secretary Jesus Dureza, emphasized the need to further the peace building in the country. He led the banging of the peace gong along with Marawi City Mayor Majul Gandamra and Iligan City Vice Mayor Jemar Vera Cruz.

Speaking on behalf of the people of Marawi, Mayor Majul Gandamra expressed his gratitude to the people of Iligan, saying that the city is “first” among others, which opened its doors to the distraught people of Marawi seeking refuge.

For his part, Iligan city Mayor Celso Regencia vowed that they will continue to provide the needed help and sanctuary to the displaced people of Marawi.

“Kung tayo magkakaisa, ang Iligan City at ang Marawi City, wala silang (terrorists) lugar dito,” he said.

The crisis in Marawi has been running for almost four months since terrorist groups lay siege in the city.

“Let’s take away deep-seated biases and prejudices against each other,” Regencia said, adding that what is happening in Iligan shows the triumph of the people for coexistence.

Iligan City Vice Mayor Jemar Vera Cruz said they have welcomed “the people of Marawi with open arms.”

“All of us desire peace in Mindanao. Peace will not come to us if we will not work for it. We have to work together,” he urged.

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Question for this article:

Can peace be achieved in Mindanao?

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“Peace is not just the absence of violence. Peace should be based on justice, truth and love. Peace is having good relationship,” he noted.

Undersecretary Diosita T. Andot of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace (OPAPP) said the agency decided to culminate the celebration of the National Peace Consciousness Month in this city because of the solidarity and compassion that have been reigning since the crisis began.

“The city of Iligan epitomized what peace is. When we opened our doors to the people of Marawi,” she noted.

She said the military campaign in Marawi is just part of winning the war against violent extremism.

“We are trying to win the war through might. The threat to our peace and security is huge. We need the help of the security to counter violent extremism,” she acknowledged.

“However, there is also a need to pursue the healing process. Hindi madali tanggapin at makakalimutan ang nangyari sa Marawi,” she noted.

“Even if the war will end, there is a bigger war. We need to fight for peace. Addressing social injustices,” she urged.

OPAPP, which is leading the government’s celebration of peace month, has also completed the journey of its “Peace Buzz” here.

The Peace Buzz has been crisscrossing the country since September 21. It aims to promote a culture of peace throughout the archipelago.

“We should keep buzzing for peace na dapat po na naririnig sa Mindanao and buong Pilipinas,” Andot said.

“We need to strengthen the buzzing to reach every nook and corner of the country. We need unity. It is a key to advance the peace,” she said, encouraging people to “defend peace up to our last breath.”

The people of Cordillera also gave the people of Marawi a framed peace prayer to show its solidarity delivered by the Peace Buzz from Baguio.

Part of the culmination activities is a food fair, where internally displaced persons of Marawi sold their products at the public square to augment their livelihood.

East Asia, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

Spreading Hiroshima’s Message of Peace

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY .

An article from NHK World

Atomic bomb survivors are getting older and their number is dwindling. An American NGO has come up with a new way of preserving their experiences. It’s calling global educators to Hiroshima and Nagasaki to discuss how to share the survivors’ messages with their students.


Frame from NHK video

In early August, a group of teachers from around the world gathered in the peace park.

“My first impression of the site was… It’s hard to look at for too long for me,” says Matthew Winters, one of the participants. He is a junior high school teacher from the US state of Utah.

“There is a narrative in the United States about Nagasaki and Hiroshima in which you enunciated very well about, it was necessary to drop the nuclear bomb. It was necessary to end the war,” he says.

Winters has held classes discussing whether the bombing was necessary. But he says he wasn’t sure what the right answer was. He came to Hiroshima to learn more. “There is a human factor there that goes well beyond what’s happening in the pages of a history book,” he says.

Another participant is Hacene Benmechiche from Algeria. He is a history lecturer, and believes that peace education is especially important in his region and the Middle East, where violence persists.

“So I want our students to be peace-loving children. We are weary of violence. Violence is not a good thing. It beats development, it shatters countries, it destroys families,” he says.

This program, “Oleander Initiative,” is named after the city flower of Hiroshima, the first one to bloom after the bombing. It has become a symbol of resilience and peace. The organizer, Ray Matsumiya, hopes the teachers and their students take home the spirit of Hiroshima. He learned about the horror of the bombing from his grandfather, who experienced it.

“With the nuclear weapons ban treaty, one of the ideas is to mobilize civil societies around the world. In terms of our program, it helps spread that knowledge of why nuclear weapons shouldn’t exist,” he says.

On this day, the participants visited an atomic bomb survivor. 88-year-old Teruko Ueno welcomed them for lunch. Ueno was 1.6 kilometers away from ground zero when the bomb was dropped.

She was 16 years old and worked as a nurse at the Red Cross Hospital. She was shielded from the extreme heat by the hospital building. She still suffers from the effects of the radiation.

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Question related to this article:

Can we abolish all nuclear weapons?

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After the bombing, she struggled for days to save her colleagues and patients, who were badly burned. “Their skin was melted off their bodies. People came to my hospital saying ‘Give me water,’ and collapsed,” she explains.

She recalls how many children were born with physical disabilities. Her daughter and granddaughter listen next to her. “People were saying we would give birth to children with deformities. I was so worried,” says Ueno.

The participants are at a loss for words. “Your story…Thank you, thank you, thank you…” Winters says to Ueno.

“I am glad to hear that,” Ueno responds.

“She gave me a giant hug that just made me cry immediately. It was like being hugged by my grandmother. It was so emotionally fulfilling. It changed me. I feel like a different person today than I did yesterday,” says Winters.

Benmechiche says he learned something different. “I cannot feel exactly the way they feel. But I think that they are ready to forgive, otherwise there are still very deep wounds inside, because they know that forgiveness, not forgetfulness,” he says.

The teachers were deeply impressed with the openness and resilience of the people of Hiroshima.

The ceremony this summer was particularly special for the people of Hiroshima. It marked the achievement of a long-standing goal — the nuclear weapons ban treaty adopted in July. The teachers took part in the events.

The teachers discussed the goal of a nuclear-free world and how countries can work together to attain it. They talked about the recent nuclear weapons ban treaty, and the deep rift between nuclear powers and non-nuclear states.

“It was almost like a virtual media blackout. There was nothing said about it, even though it happened at the UN in New York,” says Kathleen Sullivan, a lecturer from the US.

“Nothing would make any change. The gap will be there unless we do something with the leaders, with the politicians,” says Khalil Smidi, a teacher from Lebanon.

“That’s where the educator’s roles are so important. It was the people that brought the ban treaty. I mean the thing that was so exciting about it, was that it was actually a process of education,” responds Sullivan.

Winters shared his new determination with his peers.

“A large majority of my students have parents that work at that military base. They are air force people and it’s a large economic center for the city. So, to combat that is going to be very difficult. We have to start a dialogue about these issues,” he says.

The teachers come up with a motto: “Education is the best weapon.” They want their students to think about how they can make even a small amount of change toward a better world.

(Thank you to the Global Campaign for Peace Education for calling this article to our attention.)

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY, East Asia

Asia: International Day of Peace

FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION

A survey by CPNN

The following 67 events in 20 Asian countries were listed in “Google News” during the week of September 21-28 under the key words “International day of peace” and 国际和平日 (Chinese). This includes also some events listed on the websites of the Global Feast for Peace, the Peace Wave, the event map for the International Day of Peace, and the Campaign Nonviolence. No doubt there were many events listed on the Internet in languages other than those for which we searched.


Here are excerpts from the articles.

ASHBURTON , AUSTRALIA : Love Peace Harmony Fun : Afternoon to celebrate International Day of Peace for 2017.

BUNDABERG, AUSTRALIA : The Bundaberg Lions Club joined forces with Bundaberg Regional Council to unveil a peace pole in Buss Park yesterday.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA : In Sydney, an International Peace Day Gala Dinner Convention sponsored by the United Nations Association of Australia Peace Program was organised by its very capable director Dr Zeny Edwards. The event, which was held at Novotel Hotel, Darling Harbour, was attended by dedicated diplomats from various countries, Australian peace advocates and peace volunteers.

SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA : September 21 was the annual United Nations “International Day of Peace”, and this Sunday 24th September the 10.30 Mass is celebrated in conjunction with the United Nations Association of Australia as the annual Choral Mass for Peace.

DHAKA, BANGLADESH : On September 23, 2017, Junior Chamber International (JCI) Bangladesh organised ‘2017 JCI Bangladesh Peace is Possible Awards’ at Spectra Convention Centre in Gulshan 1 of Dhaka city.

DHAKA, BANGLADESH : In observance of International Day of Peace, UNIC Dhaka jointly with the Dhakabashi organization and the National Federation of Youth Organizations in Bangladesh (NFYOB) organized a Children Art Contest and Rally respectively at Hazaribagh Community Centre and Hazaribagh Park area on 21 September 2017.

BEIJING, CHINA :On September 21, at the occasion of the commemoration of International Day of Peace, the China World Peace Foundation, the Beijing International Peace Culture Foundation and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) The 4th “Peace Court Peace Festival” was held in Beijing. Envoys came from more than 100 countries on five continents, international organizations, government representatives, business representatives, experts and scholars and representatives of young people. The theme of the “Peace Court” is the “peace of mind” and the President of the China World Peace Foundation, Mr. Li Ruohong, read the message from the Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova and said that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on governments, civil society and international and regional institutions to work together to maintain peace (from Chinese original).

NANJING, CHINA : Today (September 21) is the 36th “International Day of Peace”, and the anniversary of the Japanese invasion of Nanjing. At the Massacre Memorial Hall Peace Square, there were peace message signature activities. Visitors from across the country have signed the memorial Hall Peace Square signature message. Ms. Ma from Anhui, said her first visit to the memorial hall, visiting the “million people pit” site, struck her heart like a knife. Memories of the Japanese violence at that time is really hateful Peace is too precious. Officers and men lined up in front of the Statue of Liberty to take pictures of the world forever peace symbol. (from Chinese original)

BANGALORE, INDIA : Celebration of international day of peace 2017 @ gfgc k.r.puram, bangalore (college)

BHUBANESWAR, INDIA : To celebrate International Day of Peace on Thursday, students from eight educational institutions participated in a skit competition on the theme of peace and harmony in the afternoon.

HYDERABAD, INDIA :. Marking the occasion, of the International Day of Peace . . . and contributing to a culture of peace . . . Ram Chandra Mission (SRCM, a UN NGO) that spreads the message of ‘heartfulness meditation’ technique, conducted the ‘Making peaceful, powerful’ session at Shilpakala Vedika, Shilparamam, Hyderabad. The session included a talk by president of SRCM Kamlesh D Patel (Daaji) and an experience of the ‘Heartfulness meditation’ session for over 1,500 IPS, IRS, doctors and other prominent members of the society.

JAMMU, INDIA : The Panun Kashmir Human Rights Committee organised a special programme to observe the International Day of Peace here today. . . .. The programme was presided over by Ashwani Chrungoo, Panun Kashmir president and chairman, Human Rights Committee. Others who attended the programme included Prof ML Raina, chairman, Political Affairs Committee, Upinder Kaul, general secretary and Virender Raina, national spokesperson of Panun Kashmir.

KALINGA, INDIA : The International Peace Day was observed at the Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences on 21 September 2017 on the theme #PeaceFirst. The students of KISS actively took part in the functions throughout the day. The students wrote Peace Wishes on the Peace Wish Tree. A human peace formation was created by the students of KISS to promote peace awareness.

LAITUMKHRAH, INDIA :To commemorate World Peace Day, the Lou Majaw Foundation in collaboration with the Department of Art and Culture observed the occasion with poetry and music at Andante Music School, Laitumkhrah. Several music bands including Haystack Ladies, an all ladies band from Tura, Tengnang D Sangma, the Fourth Element, Empirical Tribe, Nexus, Twilight a newly formed band from Jowai, Felixes and Lou Majaw himself rocked the crowd with their excellent musical forte.

KOHIMA, NAGALAND, INDIA : The Nagaland State Bharat Scouts & Guides (NSBSG) observed the International Day of Peace 2017 at Mezhür Higher Secondary School, Kohima on Sep. 21, where state coordinator of State Resource Centre for Women, Gracy Ayee, talked on “youth speech for peace.”

NAGALAND, INDIA : The International Day of Peace was observed in Dimapur and Peren districts. Peace Channel observed International Day of Peace-cum-12th Peace Channel foundation day in collaboration with Community Education Centre School (CECS). Speaking on the occasion, Dimapur district co-ordinator, Garrol Lotha asserted that since its inception Peace Channel have been relentlessly rendering its service to the people and effectively working to promote culture of peace in the society. The highlights of the programme include peace anthem, special number by the peace club members of CECS, group activity on the issues related to peace and conflict in the society initiated by NEISSR interns, vote of thanks delivered by teacher animator of the Peace Club, Maong followed by a Peace Prayer.

NAGPUR, INDIA : The India Peace Centre, on September 21, 2017, organised a ‘Peace Bicycle Rally’ in Nagpur to celebrate International Day of Peace. . . . Speaking on the occasion, Dr Amit Samarth appealed to participants to adapt to cycling as a pollution-free and fitness oriented means of transport, and lauded the efforts of India Peace Centre in using bicycle as an instrument to spread the message of peace.

TEHERAN, IRAN :The First Expert Meeting on Youth and Urban Peace was held in the Iranian capital on the occasion of International Day of Peace. The event was organized by the Young Shahryaran Club affiliated to Tehran Municipality and supported by the United Nations Information Center (UNIC). UNIC Director Maria Dotsenko, Head of Elite Commission of Iran’s Expediency Council’s Secretariat Mohammad Ebrahim Maddahi and Head of Environment Commission of Tehran City Council Zahra Sadreazam-Noori were the main speakers of the meeting.

BISHKEK, KYRGYZSTAN : Youth peer mentors from around Kyrgyzstan climbed a mountain and hauled hundreds of rocks to craft this awesome peace sign in Koh Tash village near Bishkek to highlight the importance of peacebuilding. The mentors are taking part in leadership training this week as part of our constructive dialogues on religion and democracy project.

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Question for this article

What has happened this year (2017) for the International Day of Peace?

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YANGON, MYANMAR : We had a great turnout on Saturday for our #PeaceDayMyanmar celebration with Moving Forward Together in Mahabandoola Park, Yangon. Lots of people braved the rain to listen to live music and poetry and to share messages of peace. Below, reggae artist Saw Poe Kwar performs songs of peace, harmony and tolerance to a big crowd.

PAITA, NOUVELLE CALEDONIE (French territory) : On the occasion of the International Day of Peace, and dressed in the colors of the rainbow, nearly a thousand schoolchildren from the private schools Luc-Amoura and Dumbéa-sur-Mer gathered yesterday at the Arena of the South to present their work on the theme of Peace: “Pacific-Actions”.

ISLAMABAD, PAKISTAN : Young students of Roots Garden Schools, Roots IVY Schools and Roots DHA1 celebrated ‘International Day of Peace’ to highlight the significance of world peace and harmony by expressing their heartfelt feelings, compassionate ideas and visions of a peaceful world by singing a special peace song by the school choir that sung, “Long live absolute world peace” at a ceremony held in Islamabad.

MULTAN, PAKISTAN : UPF Pakistan in collaboration with Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry organized a seminar on UN international day of Peace Celebrations, on September 21, 2017. The theme was “Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All”.

LAHORE, PAKISTAN : Walks, seminars, vigils held to mark International Day of Peace

LAHORE, PAKISTAN : The interfaith groups in Pakistan dedicated the International Day of Peace on Sept. 21 to Rohingya refugees who fled violence in Myanmar’s western Rakhine state. Archbishop Sebastian Shaw of Lahore chaired an inter-religious seminar in Lahore at the Dominican Peace Centre where prayers, speeches, poetry, songs and candles vigil were held for the Muslim minority, at least 420,000 of whom have fled to neighboring Bangladesh. United Religions Initiative Pakistan was the main organizer.

LAHORE, PAKISTAN : 21st September was observed as the International Day of Peace at Lahore College for Women University.

CEBU, PHILIPPINES : So Alive led the International Day of Peace celebration at the SM City food court on September 21, last Thursday. An Interfaith Prayer of the Nations opened the program. The national anthem was sung with a dance of OLJLC Performing Arts Group.They were attired to represent different communities of our islands. . . There were many songs and messages of peace.

QUEZON CITY, PHILIPPINES : On Saturday, the #Everydaypeace Concert in Quezon City saw the launch of our new app in the Philippines promoting the idea that ‘peace is within our power’, plus the new single Kalinaw by music icon Dong Abay.

PAPEETE, TAHITI (French territory) : The Peace Concert, held on Friday 29th September at 19:30 in the main Hall of the City Hall of Pirae, is the 13th artistic and charity gala organized jointly by the Art Conservatory and Soroptimist International Charity Club Tahiti / Papeete from the beginning of their collaboration. The Tipaerui Institution will engage 40 volunteer artists and volunteers, including 11 professors and teachers, 22 high-level students and seven musicians (traditional orchestra), who will offer the general public a first part of traditional dance and a second part of chamber music.

TONGATAPU, TONGA : Some 35 girls from various secondary schools in Tongatapu are holding a Girls Empowerment Camp from September 19-23 as part of activities marking the International Day of Peace

In addition to the above events with links on the Internet, there are a number of events in Asia listed on the event map for the International Day of Peace.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA held Gathering in peace for conversation and prayer.

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA held a water ceremony for peace on the banks of the Torrens River.

ARMIDALE, AUSTRALIA had presentations and lectures on Peace, with multicultural food and music.

UNHAM, INDONESIA held a memorial ceremony and seminar.

JAKARTA, INDONESIA: Students created Graphic novels to promote a Culture of Peace.

YOKOHAMA, JAPAN : The United For Peace Film Festival (UFPFF) is held every year on September 21st, the United Nations International ‘Peace Day’.

CANTERBURY, NEW ZEALAND : A small but perfectly formed group of people gathered in the Botanic Gardens to ring World Peace Bell.

TAURANGA, NEW ZEALAND: A meditation for personal and world peace was held on the beach in Tauranga

WHANGANUI, NEW ZEALAND : Panel discussion on the annual theme, “Together for Peace: Respect, Safety and Dignity for All”.

RAWAI PHUKET, THAILAND : Peace picnic at Palm House Primary School

HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM : Our Pre-school is making an art installation of pinwheels to celebrate peace

Some Asian events are listed on the Peace Wave webpage of the International Peace Bureau:

SUVA, FIJI : Peace Wave teach-in at the University of the South Pacific

INDIA: activities for the Peace Wave in the following cities:

– JAMMU: Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space

– VISAKHAPATNAM: Peace March, meeting and signature drive.

– PARVATIPURAM: Meeting and signature drive.

– NAGPUR: (1) Meetings and signature drive and (2) Meeting, photo exhibition and signature drive.

– BHUBANESWAR: Meetings and signature drive, Organizer: Mr. Maheswar Raut.

– INDORE: Meeting and signature drive.

– DIDGHAPANDA: Meeting and signature drive.

HIROSHIMA, NAGASAKI & TOKYO, JAPAN : At noon, September 20, Gensuikyo will declare the start of the “Peace Wave”

MARSHALL ISLANDS : Desmond Narain Doulatram, REACH-MI (Radiation Exposure Awareness Crusaders for Humanity

TAURANGA, NEW ZEALAND : candlelit vigil every evening from 20th – 26th September

SEOUL, REPUBLIC OF KOREA : Press Conference, rallies and performances are planned during Peace Wave campaign period.

Many cities and communities are members of the International Peace Cities network and the following are listed on the Global Feast Map as celebrating a feast to mark the International Day of Peace. They include:

INDIA: NAGPUR, KOCHI, SRINAGAR, RAIPUR, PIRWADHAI, MUMBAI, CHANDIGARH, GOYA

PAKISTAN: AHMEDABAD, QUETTA, MULTAN, ISLAMABAD, MURIDKE, KARACHI, CHITRAL-KHYBER

NEPAL: KATMANDU, LALITPUR

PHILIPPINES: MATAKI

THAILAND: PATHUTHANI

Campaign Nonviolence events took place in:

AFGHANISTAN, KABUL (involving participants from all Afghan provinces)

AUSTRALIA: ADELAIDE, PARKVILLE AND MELBOURNE

INDIA, CHANDIGARH

IRAQ, KURDiSTAN (36 peace actions and events)

East Asia, FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION, South Asia,

China’s Upcoming Transition to Electric Cars ‘Will Benefit the Whole Economy’

.. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ..

An article from Sputnik News

Chinese authorities intend to ban the production of combustion-engine cars and replace them with electric vehicles may well “benefit the country’s economy,” according to a Bloomberg New Energy Finance analyst.


Chinese car as seen in Bloomberg video

Earlier Xin Guobin, China’s Vice Minister of Industry and Information Technology, announced that the country intends to set a deadline for automakers to end sales of combustion-engine cars. According to the official, this move will be aimed at shifting the focus of the market towards electric cars, and is expected to have a profound impact on the environment in a country with some of the worst urban air pollution in the world.

And as Bloomberg New Energy Finance analyst Nannan Kou told Radio Sputnik, this move will benefit not just the environment but the country’s economy as well.

“China will just use less oil and switch to more renewable energy so this will benefit the whole economy and… the health of the people,” he said.

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Question for this article:

Are we making progress in renewable energy?

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Kou also added that this development will likely affect the oil exporters as China would require less fossil fuel. At the same time however, this shift to electric vehicles (EVs) would increase demand for batteries and the components required to manufacture them.

“In the future, with more EVs on the road China will use less oil, so that would impact those oil-exporting companies. On the other hand, when building more EVs you will definitely use more batteries, metals like lithium and cobalt… and the countries who export those minerals will benefit from it,” the analyst explained.

Finally, he pointed out that electric vehicles may be more attractive to drivers for reasons other than their relatively low price.

“In the future, because EVs are an ideal platform to apply autonomous driving, the drivers may not even need to manually drive a car. They could do other things while the autonomous car will take them from A to B, so I think that’s another benefit to the drivers,” Kou said.

Meanwhile, Honda has already announced it will introduce an electric car to Chinese buyers in 2018, according to Honda China COO Yasuhide Mizuno, in cooperation with Chinese business entities Guangqi Honda and Dongfeng Honda, creating a new brand.

Chinese startup automaker Nio also said it will begin selling its ES8 battery-powered SUV as soon as mid-December, according to a company statement.

East Asia, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, Uncategorized

China eclipses Europe as 2020 solar power target is smashed

.. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ..

An article from Euractiv

China has reached its 2020 solar power target three years ahead of schedule, after installed capacity topped well over its 105GW target. Europe has been urged to show similar ambition.


The largest floating solar power farm in the world was recently hooked up to China’s power grid. [Sungrow]
(Click on image to enlarge)

New figures published by solar industry firm Asia Europe Clean Energy (Solar) Advisory (AECEA) last week revealed that China has exceeded its 2020 target of 105GW of installed solar capacity, after new builds in June and July pushed it up beyond 112GW.

Solar power is enjoying a sunny 2017 in China, after the first half of this year saw capacity increased by 24.4GW, dwarfing similar efforts in Europe, and cementing China’s status as the world’s leading solar nation.

(Thank you to Kiki Chauvin, the CPNN reporter for this article.)

(Click here for a version of this article in French.

Question for this article:
East Asia, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

10th Annual Japan-Korea “Peace & Green Boat” Joint Statement

. TOLERANCE & SOLIDARITY .

An article by Peaceboat

The first Peace & Green Boat Japan-Korea joint voyage set sail in 2005.

That voyage marked 60 years since the end of World War II, 60 years since the end of the Japanese colonial occupation of Korea, as well as 40 years since the normalization of relations between Japan and South Korea. This was also the year that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Kyoto Protocol, came into effect.

Over this time, we have seen the world appeal about the crisis of climate change caused by global warming, In Japan-Korea relations, we saw the rise in popularity of Korean culture as part of Hallyu/the Korean Wave. However this period of time has also been marked by severe political turbulence surrounding issues including Yasukuni Shrine, the Takeshima/Dokdo Islands, and the “Comfort Women”.

However we strongly share the belief that now more than ever, we must build the foundations of a peace and environment-oriented community in East Asia, one based on the combined strength of Japanese and Korean NGOs, and dedicated to protecting the lives of the people. With this goal in mind, we set out across the seas of East Asia.

Over the course of the past 12 years, through dialogue, mutual understanding, and trust, we have overcome numerous challenges to now be celebrating the 10th Japan-Korea joint voyage. With unique direct exchange made possible by using a large passenger vessel, we are proud to say that more than ten thousand participants to date have joined from both countries, creating friendship between citizens of Japan and Korea on an unprecedented scale.

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Question related to this article:

Peace Boat: Building a Culture of Peace around the World

(Continued from left column)

During this time, tragic incidents such as the Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami and subsequent nuclear disaster, as well as the Sewol Ferry Disaster, have served as grim reminders to reaffirm the importance of human life and safety, and to question the nature of politics and society which do not prioritise these things. The new administration in South Korea was born out of the series of one-million-candle demonstrations. We would like to express our agreement with and respect for the new administration’s recognition of the dangers of nuclear energy, and its stated intention to work towards a nuclear-free future. At the same time, we strongly call upon the Japanese government, which has ignored the lessons of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant disaster and has continued on a pro-nuclear energy path, to move towards renewable energy and away from nuclear power.

Since the first Peace & Green Boat voyage we have visited the city of Nagasaki four times. Nagasaki experienced the atomic bombing, and through these visits citizens of Japan and Korea have been able to hear directly the testimonies of the Hibakusha, the survivors of the attack. Our long-held wish was realized when on July 7 this year, the treaty to prohibit nuclear weapons was adopted at the United Nations. Unfortunately however, the governments of both Japan and South Korea are not participating in this treaty, citing the necessity of nuclear weapons as a deterrent. We strongly call upon both governments to join this treaty which seeks to avoid the catastrophic harm to humanity posed by nuclear weapons.

In response to climate change brought about by global warming, which also poses a grave threat to humanity, we will not only continue to devote our full energy and attention to this goal, but also comprehensively and creatively work towards the realization of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals include the promotion of renewable energy, peace, and climate action.

Lastly, through joint Peace & Green Boat activities we will work towards ensuring that the PyeonChang Winter Olympics next year and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics are sustainable Olympics where the environment is given the greatest level of consideration, so that they can be true festivals of peace. It is our intention that through this process, we can work towards building the foundations of an East Asia Peace and Environment Community.

Download this statement in three languages here:

English

Japanese

Korean

East Asia, SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Conference of the Asia-Pacific Peace Research Association

EDUCATION FOR PEACE .

Excerpts from website of the Asia-Pacific Peace Research Association

The Centre for Policy Research and International Studies (CenPRIS), Universiti Sains Malaysia in collaboration with its conference partners will be hosting the Asia Pacific Peace Research Association (APPRA) Conference from 23 to 25 August, 2017 at Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia. Theme: ‘Promoting Peace and Upholding the Transcendent Dignity of the Human Person in the Asia-Pacific Region’ Dates: August 23-25, 2017 Venue: Dewan Persidangan Universiti, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Penang, Malaysia


(Click on photo to enlarge)

There will be several special lectures but the highlight will be the Keynote Address on the theme of “Promoting Peace and Upholding the Transcendent Dignity of the Human Person in the Asia-Pacific Region”.

Confirmed Keynote Speakers:

Tan Sri Dato Professor Dzulkifly Abdul Razak, former Vice-Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia and current Chairman, Board of Directors, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia,Malaysia “Peace Starts with Me – Lessons from a hibakusha”

Dato’ Prof. ( Dr.) Anwar Fazal, Right Livelihood College, Penang, Malaysia “Streets of Harmony: Building Bridges, Crossing Them: The Penang Experience”

Professor Dr. Kevin Clements, Chair and Director, The National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies,University of Otago, New Zealand “The Current State of Peace Research in the Asia-Pacific Region”

Professor Dr. Katsuya Kodama, Secretary-General, International Peace Research Association (IPRA) “ Hiroshima – Nagasaki Process”, Japan

Professor Dr. Chaiwat Satha-Anand, Peace Information Centre, Thammasat University, Thailand “Nonkilling: Asia as a Peace Research Agenda”

Here are some of the confirmed panels:

Peace Education at Peace Museums -convened by Prof. Yamane Kazuyo, Ritsumeikan University

“US military vs Asian lands and people” – convened by Patrick Hiller, Oregon Institute of Peace

Kampung Mizan : Re-thinking the idea of development- convened by Associate Professor Dr. Mahazan, Malaysian Islamic Science University [USIM]

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Question for this article:

Can peace be guaranteed through nonviolent means?

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Aging with Dignity- convened by Associate Prof. Dr. Saidatulakmal Mohd, USM-RIKEN International Centre for Aging Science , URICAS, Universiti Sains Malaysia

Religion, Spirituality and Peace – convened by　Chetalanaya Institute, Nepal

Mother Earth convened by Sahabat Alam Malaysia

Challenges of Peace Building in the Deeply Polarized societies: The Case of Identity, Ethnicity and Territory based Conflicts in Deep South of Thailand and Arakan State of Myanmar –AMAN

Gandhian non-violent action – Prof. Dr.Vidya Jain

Multi-national/ethnic federalism as a framework of peacemaking – Prof. Dr. Tatsushi Arai

Transforming the inter-communal and Buddhist/Muslim conflict in Western Myanmar, Eastern Bangladesh, and ASEAN- Prof. Dr. Tatsushi Arai.

Education for Social Healing & Reconciliation-Professor Dr. Roy Tamashiro of Webster University, USA, Dr. Chang Ku Do, in Korea, Prof. Yang Shanyou, China, Prof. Kazuyo Yamane, Ritsumeikan University, Japan.

“Populism in Asia and its non-violent responses”-Dr. Janjira Sombatpoonsiri Faculty of Political Science, Thammasat University (Panel Coordinator), Panelists: Dr. Ajay Gudavarthy, Politics Department, Jawaharlal Nehru University, India, Dr. Aries Arugay, Faculty of Political Science, University of the Philippines, Diliman, the Philippines and Dr. Luky Djani, Executive Director, Institute for Strategic Initiatives, Indonesia

“Nonkilling Asia” Prof. Chaiwat Satha-Anand, Thammast University (moderator) The panelists are Pradeep (Nepal), Emma Leslie (Cambodia), Jose Abueve (Philippines), Siwach Sripokangkul (Thailand).

Conflict Early Warning and Agro-terrorism, Dr. Ali Maksum and Surwandono, Universitas Muhammadiyah and Ms. Zuliana, CenPRIS.

For information about the registration, abstract submission and general questions about the conference, please contact

Conference Secretariat:
Centre for Policy Research and International Studies (CenPRIS)
Universiti Sains Malaysia
11800 USM, Penang
Malaysia
Tel: +604-653 2456
Fax: +604-658 4820
Website: appra.net , cenpris.usm.my/index.php/appra2017
E-mail: appra.usm2017@gmail.com or omarufaruku@gmail.com

East Asia, EDUCATION FOR PEACE

Korea: 500 Global Students to Hold Peace March near DMZ

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY .

An article from KBS radio

About 500 students from around the world plan to hold a peace march near the Demilitarized Zone(DMZ) separating the two Koreas.


(Click on image to enlarge)

Gangwon Province Office of Education said on Tuesday that it will hold the 2017 world peace education festival from May 27th to 31st in Gangneung and Goseong.

About 500 middle and high school students as well as teachers from seven countries including Japan, China, Russia and Indonesia plan to participate. 

The event is jointly sponsored by the organizing committee of the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and the Asia-Pacific Center of Education for International Understanding under UNESCO.

Participants plan to hold a debate on ways to make a better and peaceful world in Gangneung.

They are then schedule to visit the Unification Observatory located in Goseong and hold a peace march to the nearby DMZ museum. 

(Editor’s note: It is not clear if this is the same initiative as the peace march by 300 youth in the demilitarized zone scheduled for June 23 and sponsored by the U.S.-based International Cooperation of Environmental Youth (ICEY), led by Korean-American environmentalist Jonathan Lee – see article in the Yonhap News Agency).

(Thank you to the Global Campaign for Peace Education for calling this article to our attention.)

DISARMAMENT & SECURITY, East Asia