Online Peace Studies Program 'Peace Studies for Today and the Future' Held Over Six Days

Overview

Five parties—Kyoko Okumoto (Osaka Jogakuin University), Yuko Takabe (Meisei University), Kadokawa Dwango Educational Institute, Terra Renaissance (an NPO), and PEACE DAY (an NPO)—jointly conducted an online peace studies program titled "Peace Studies for Today and the Future" from March 3 (Tue) to March 18 (Wed), 2026. The program, which spanned six days and was free of charge, targeted the younger generation, including students from N High School, S High School, R High School, and N Junior High School, providing opportunities to learn about positive peace and the mechanisms of "violence" and "conflict" in daily life from both theoretical and practical perspectives.

Background and Objectives

While armed conflicts continue globally in places like Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran, opportunities for the younger generation to perceive peace as a personal issue remain limited. However, friction in daily friendships and family relationships shares the same fundamental structure as "conflict" occurring in the international society.

This program was planned to help participants cultivate the ability to proactively engage in social construction by learning how to resolve conflicts that exist in both "large-scale peace" and "familiar peace." By collaborating with university professors specializing in peace and international relations, Terra Renaissance with its know-how in conflict-affected areas, Kadokawa Dwango Educational Institute with its online education platform, and PEACE DAY, the program fused theory and practice.

Outline

・Program Title: Peace Studies for Today and the Future: From Friend Disputes to Conflict ・Period: March 3 (Tue) to March 18 (Wed), 2026 (6 days total) ・Format: Online (Zoom) ・Cost: Free ・Organizers: Kyoko Okumoto (Osaka Jogakuin University), Yuko Takabe (Meisei University), Terra Renaissance, PEACE DAY

Schedule

Day 1 (3/3) Lecture: Peace Studies, Society, and the World Day 2 (3/4) Lecture: Power to Create the Future - For World Peace Day 3 (3/11) Workshop: Peace and Violence Day 4 (3/13) Workshop: Child Soldier Issues Day 5 (3/17) Workshop: Overcoming Difficulties and Conflict Transformation Day 6 (3/18) Workshop: Conflict and Transformation

Instructors Kyoko Okumoto (Professor, Osaka Jogakuin University), Yuko Takabe (Professor, Meisei University), Masaya Onimaru (Founder, Terra Renaissance), Juntetsu Sasaki (Secretary General, Terra Renaissance), Sho Imanari (Terra Renaissance)