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Local peacebuilders from around the globe gather in Tokyo: GPPAC International Steering Group Meeting
Peace Boat was honoured to host a gathering of the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) – the largest, locally-led global network of over 250 local peacebuilding organisations – in Japan for a week in January 2024. Regional representatives of GPPAC's 15 regions and expert working groups came together to foster critical connections, jointly adapt to persistent challenges, and strengthen concrete and impactful peacebuilding action during GPPAC’s International Steering Group Meeting (ISG), which took place in Tokyo, Japan between 21-26 January 2024. Close to 50 members of GPPAC travelled from all corners of the globe to Tokyo for the first in-person ISG meeting of the network in almost five years. Peace Boat hosted this meeting in our role as Regional Secretariat of the Northeast Asia Network, and with Founder and Director Yoshioka Tatsuya currently serving as Chair of the GPPAC Foundation's Board.
In addition to four days of closed door discussions, members also embarked on a packed local engagement programme on January 25. It began with a policy roundtable to share the voices and expertise of local peacebuilders at the Japanese Parliament, in an event attended by representatives of each of Japan's major ruling and opposition political parties, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, civil society experts and the media. This was followed by some exploration of Tokyo, a visit to the Peace Boat centre, and a networking reception with civil society organisations, researchers and members of the diplomatic corps in Japan.
To inform decision-makers and relevant peacebuilding and conflict prevention experts, local peacebuilders of the GPPAC Network outlined their collective ambition in a press release and summary document which can be viewed online here:
Addressing Global Securitisation through Locally-Led Peacebuilding: The Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) meets in Japan to Recommit to the Principles of Human Security and Sustaining Peace
In addition, members of the Northeast Asia Regional Network of GPPAC who attended the meeting issued a statement, highlighting the pressing need for efforts in risk reduction, confidence-building and regional cooperation in Northeast Asia, particularly at this critical juncture. This was endorsed by the International Steering Group and can be read online here:
The Urgent Need for Dialogue and Regional Cooperation to Overcome Divisions and Prevent Armed Conflict:GPPAC Northeast Asia Statement on the occasion of GPPAC ISG meeting in Tokyo
Thank you to all who attended and supported #GPPAC2024Tokyo in a variety of ways, as this powerhouse of local peacebuilders came together in this safe space where every voice matters, and where diverse perspectives come together to learn from and with each other on how to tackle best the complex issues that shape our peacebuilding work!