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This session considers peace, security and human rights in the light of sustainability. Peace is a necessary element of sustainability, and sustainability requires peace; therefore peace and sustainability can be considered as different sides of the same coin. However, we often face destructions to peace and to sustainability. Why is it so? And how can we overcome obstacles? This session explores answers to these questions by shedding lights on individual behaviors, collective actions and normative thinking. The variety of background that the panelists have will make the discussion truly global and multi-dimensional, which is also an integral part of the essence of the issue at hand. The background varies from macro perspective to micro perspective, from social actions to arts, from physical action to psychological action, and more. Please be looking forward to dynamic discussion and to feeling how diversity can create dynamic ideas.

【Program Summary】
The program “Peace-building & Realization” was held as part of the Osaka–Kansai Expo 2025 Theme Weeks “Peace, Human Security and Dignity Week.” The session addressed the question of what perspectives and actions are necessary for the international community to overcome conflict and division and to realize peace. Speakers included an entrepreneur with direct experience of conflict, an educational activist, an expert from an international cooperation agency, and a university president exploring peace through art. Drawing on their diverse practices and philosophies, the session developed into an in-depth discussion. Throughout the dialogue, it was emphasized that peace is not merely the absence of war. Rather, it is a daily practice rooted in human dignity, trust, and empathy.

【Speaker Summary: Norichika Kanie】
Norichika Kanie began by highlighting the symbolic significance of August in Japan. This summer marks the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and he stressed that holding a dialogue on peace during this milestone is both a historical responsibility and a promise to future generations. He also drew attention to the increasing threats posed by climate change, such as extreme heat and flooding, which demonstrate that human security is undermined not only by military threats but also by environmental change. Since such crises transcend national borders, he argued that the concept of peacebuilding must extend beyond the cessation of armed conflict to include safeguarding the very foundations of human survival. Kanie introduced the concepts of “negative peace” and “positive peace.” Negative peace refers to a temporary suspension of hostilities, in which the root causes of conflict remain unresolved and violence may easily resurface. Positive peace, on the other hand, represents a state in which social justice and human dignity are guaranteed, allowing for sustainable coexistence. He insisted that contemporary society must aim for the latter, and that achieving it requires cooperation across multiple domains—including education, culture, and economic activity. He also referred to Japan’s postwar history as a nation that has pursued peace, calling for a renewed engagement with the ideals of the Peace Constitution and Japan’s record of international contribution. In an increasingly globalized world, where multicultural coexistence is inevitable, Japan—having directly experienced war—has a duty to lead in preserving memory and fostering international dialogue. Kanie stressed that preserving peace is not merely the task of diplomacy but an activity deeply rooted in the daily habits and values of citizens. The foundation of peace, he explained, is “trust,” which requires the capacity to listen, to empathize, and to respect differing opinions. In conclusion, he described peacebuilding as a forward-looking and sustainable endeavor. Only by individuals, communities, and the international community working in solidarity and continually building practices of peace can we leave tangible hope for the next generation.

【Speaker Summary: Tareq Hadhad】
Tareq Hadhad began by sharing his personal experience of losing his family’s chocolate factory during the Syrian civil war and becoming a refugee. “Becoming a refugee is not a choice, but a circumstance,” he said, stressing that anyone could find themselves in the same position depending on their environment. Having directly experienced the fragility of everyday life, he explained that for him, peace is nothing other than a state in which people can live with dignity. After resettling in Canada in 2015, he and his family founded Peace by Chocolate. The company’s philosophy is built upon four pillars: Passion, Empathy, Contribution, and Excellence. Each chocolate product is engraved with the word “peace” in multiple languages, serving not merely as confectionery but as a message that connects people across cultural and religious divides. A portion of the profits is donated through the charity Peace on Earth Society to support education and community coexistence initiatives. Hadhad emphasized that “peace is not created by governments, but by citizens,” underscoring the power of communities. He drew upon the concepts of “negative peace” and “positive peace.” The former, he explained, is a false peace—where hostilities may have ceased temporarily but oppression and inequality remain. Positive peace, by contrast, is realized when diversity is respected, social justice is secured, and human dignity is protected. Drawing from the contrast between his experiences in Syria and his life in Canada, he argued that positive peace is what humanity must strive for. He further stressed the importance of empathy and listening in building peace. While people may hold different cultures and beliefs, mutual understanding is born when they listen to one another. “Beneath the skin, we all share the same bones and blood,” he said, offering a vivid reminder of the superficial nature of differences and the shared humanity underlying them. For Hadhad, chocolate itself represents more than a sweet—it is a “medium of peace,” creating smiles and conversations. He explained that the accumulation of small acts of empathy fosters trust within society, forming the very foundation of greater peace. He concluded by declaring: “Peace is not something that is given; it is something we create.” He called on each individual to take responsibility as an active agent in peacebuilding. His journey from refugee to entrepreneur to engaged citizen served as living testimony to the possibilities of peace, leaving a profound impression on the audience.

【Speaker Summary: Pashtana Dorani】
Pashtana Dorani spoke about the meaning of peace in Afghan society from the perspectives of education and human dignity. At the outset, she introduced the traditional Afghan value of Personawali, an ethic that emphasizes honesty, trust, and responsibility toward others. She explained that this cultural foundation extends beyond the mere absence of violence, representing a way of life in which people mutually respect one another. For Dorani, peace does not simply mean the silencing of gunfire. True peace is realized only when people have access to education, healthcare, clean water, and a dignified life. Without these basic conditions, peace cannot take root. She highlighted figures in Afghan history who embodied nonviolent practice. She also referred to the work of Dr. Tetsu Nakamura of Japan, who brought stability to communities through irrigation and medical support. These examples, she argued, show that peace is not an abstract ideal but an act of building the foundations of everyday life. Dorani described the activities of her own educational organization, LEARN Afghan, which enables girls to continue learning from home using digital platforms. By introducing tablets and solar-powered systems, her group has created opportunities for education to persist even amid blackouts and insecurity. She stressed that education is a power that cannot be taken away by force or coercion, and that it gives women and youth hope and agency. Her conviction was clear: “Education is the strongest weapon for sustainable peace.” She also posed a challenge to the international community, insisting that peacebuilding is not the responsibility of a single country but a global endeavor that requires solidarity. In conflict-affected states, she noted, women and children bear the greatest burden. Without systems that allow them to participate in society through education and employment, the cycle of violence will continue. In closing, Dorani described peace as “an investment in the future.” She warned that generations deprived of education by conflict and oppression jeopardize social sustainability, while those guaranteed education and dignity become the drivers of stability and a better future. She concluded by affirming that “peace is not a distant dream but the accumulation of small practices today,” calling upon young people and the international community alike to take action.

【Speaker Summary: Ayako Oi】
Ayako Oi emphasized that “peace cannot be sustained without trust rooted in people’s daily lives, it will not endure.” Drawing from her field experience, she outlined JICA’s (Japan International Cooperation Agency) peacebuilding approach, human security, which rests on two pillars: protection and empowerment. Protection refers to safeguarding the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable populations, while empowerment focuses on fostering the capacity of people themselves to rebuild their societies. Oi stressed that only when these two pillars function in tandem can resilience and sustainable peace be realized at the societal level. She illustrated this with examples: in Mindanao, the Philippines, vocational training has been provided for former combatants. Aiming to reintegrate them into society and secure livelihoods directly prevents the recurrence of violence. In Côte d’Ivoire, dialogue between local officials and residents was promoted tp buid trust and improve the quality of public services. In Uganda, support was extended to both refugees and host communities in agriculture imroving livelihoods of both groups. Throughout her remarks, Oi repeatedly stressed the importance of trust. Without trust between individuals, between communities, and between citizens and the governnent, institutions and agreements may become hollow. Trust, she explained, is not built overnight, but through the accumulation of small, everyday actions and dialogue. In this sense, peacebuilding must not be imposed from the outside but pursued as a process that respects the initiative of local actors. She also touched on global-scale challenges such as climate change and infectious diseases, both of which transcend national borders and threaten human lives, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable. Oi argued that addressing such challenges requires linking international framework with the strength of local communities. Her remarks strongly conveyed that the path to realizing peace lies not only in institutions and policies but in the steady accumulation of concrete practices to safeguard human dignity.

【Speaker Summary: Katsuhiko Hibino】
Katsuhiko Hibino offered a perspective on reinterpreting the meaning of peace through the practice of art. Using the metaphor that “even when drawing the same apple, no two pictures are ever the same,” he underscored the fact that every individual possesses unique perspectives and sensitivities. Accepting these differences, he argued, is the essence of art and, at the same time, the foundation of peace. He warned that if societies demand excessive uniformity, diverse forms of expression and existence are suppressed, giving rise to conformity and exclusion. By contrast, art transforms difference into value and becomes a means of enabling coexistence. Hibino further stressed the importance of the human capacity to “accept what cannot be understood.” Confronted with the unfamiliar, people often feel anxiety or fear; art, however, nurtures the ability to enjoy the “unknown” and to engage with others’ perspectives. Without this capacity, multicultural coexistence and dialogue cannot flourish, and peace remains fragile. Art-based learning, he explained, provides practical experiences of tolerance and respect within human society. He also addressed art’s function as a “generator of empathy.” Visual art, music, and performance transcend language, creating spaces where emotions and ideas are shared. This empathetic circuit, he stressed, is indispensable for the realization of peace. From his position as an educator, Hibino also spoke of the significance of art education. Working closely with students at Tokyo University of the Arts, he emphasized the value of “trial and error” in the creative process. Rather than seeking a single correct answer, cultivating an attitude that respects diverse interpretations and practices nurtures the sensibility necessary for the next generation of peacebuilders. He concluded by characterizing art as a “medium that connects peace.” Artworks and artistic activities, he explained, transcend borders and languages to bring people together, generating cycles of empathy and respect. “Peace is not a distant ideal but the accumulation of small, everyday acts,” he declared, adding that art makes this process visible. Hibino’s remarks vividly demonstrated that art is not merely a medium of expression but a practical force for realizing peace in human society.

【Discussion Summary】
In this session, the discussion centered on how to foster mutual understanding and build peace from multiple perspectives. Tareq Hadhad, drawing on his experience of moving from Syria to Canada, emphasized that peace is not merely the “absence of conflict” but the state in which people can live with dignity. He noted that “humans are born peaceful, but hatred is something learned later in life,” and stressed that overcoming division requires the art of listening. He argued that beyond intergovernmental relations, people-to-people exchanges and cultural activities play a vital role in cultivating trust . Pashtana Durrani highlighted the long-standing cooperation between Afghanistan and Japan, stressing that support should not be a hierarchical relationship but rather a partnership of equals. She pointed out that areas directly connected to everyday life—such as water resources and education—form the foundation of peace. She further underscored that human kindness and empathy are essential drivers of social transformation . Ayako Oi framed peace within the concept of human security, which encompasses freedom from fear and want, as well as to ne able to live with dignity. She stressed that peacebuilding cannot be imposed externally but must respect the history and culture of the people concerned. She also introduced community-level initiatives—such as refugees and local residents working together on agriculture or water facilities—demonstrating how cooperation toward “common interests” can build trust . Katsuhiko Hibino examined peace through the lens of art. He argued that art gives people the capacity to “embrace the unknown” and provides opportunities to affirm difference and diversity. Using the metaphor of paint colors, he suggested that relying only on “familiar colors” maintains the status quo, whereas daring to use “untried colors” generates new values. For Hibino, such acts of experimentation illustrate how diversity and tolerance are essential conditions for peace . Throughout the discussion, a shared recognition emerged that peace cannot be achieved solely through states or institutions; rather, it is nurtured through the accumulation of trust, empathy, and respect among individuals. The participants also emphasized the potential for nations to cooperate when facing shared global challenges—such as climate change—as a “common enemy.” In addition, business and the arts were highlighted as fields that can bridge divides and bring societies together. The conclusion was that sustainable peace requires cross-sector collaboration among civil society, education, enterprises, and culture.