Peace Boat is a Japan-based international
non-governmental and non-profit organization that works to
promote peace, human rights, equal and sustainable development
and respect for the environment.
Peace Boat seeks to create awareness and action based on effecting
positive social and political change in the world. We pursue
this through the organization of global educational programmes,
responsible travel, cooperative projects and advocacy activities.
These activities are carried out on a partnership basis with other civil
society organizations and communities in Japan, Northeast Asia, and
around the world.
Peace Boat carries out its main activities through a chartered
passenger ship that travels the world on peace voyages. The
ship creates a neutral, mobile space and enables people to
engage across borders in dialogue and mutual cooperation at
sea, and in the ports that we visit. Activities based in Japan and Northeast Asia are carried out from our seven Peace Centers in Japan.
Peace Boat
is a non-governmental and non-profit organization with its
headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, eight Peace Centers throughout
Japan and a branch association in Geneva, Switzerland. >>Read
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Tools
Peace Boat's use
of the ship as a vehicle for our activities has allowed the
development of a unique range of tools for our work.
Forums on board
: the ship as a neutral and mobile meeting space
Using the ship's
media appeal:
The power of people
to people contact:
Bringing back the
world's reality: beyond conventional media
Networks and Affiliations
NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and
Social Council
of the United Nations
Affiliate Member of Friends of the Earth International
Member of the International Peace Bureau
Northeast Asia Secretariat - Global Partnership for the
Prevention of
Armed Conflict
World Social Forum
Founding member of Peace Now Korea Japan
Member of the Non-Violent Peace Force
World Peace Now
Abolition 2000
Japan Campaign to Ban Landmines
Travel for Peace and Sustainability
Peace Boat
believes that travel in itself can be a tool for positive
social and political change, and seeks to create and implement
best practices in responsible travel and what we call travel
for peace and sustainability. Socio-political considerations
rather than commercial interests largely determine our choice
of destinations. Our partnerships with local organizations
and travel agencies reflect our effort to utilize tourism
in a progressive and educational form so as to contribute
to global sustainability and peace.
History
Peace Boat’s first voyage was organized in 1983 by a group of Japanese university students as a creative response to government censorship regarding Japan’s past military aggression in the Asia-Pacific. They chartered a ship to visit neighboring countries with the aim of learning first-hand about the war from those who experienced it and initiating people-to-people exchange.