Promoting Peace through Dialogue: A Talk Event in Koganei City

Event Overview

On October 25, 2025, a unique event dedicated to promoting peace through dialogue will take place at Sankouin Jyuugakudou in Koganei City. This event is organized by Accept International, a Japanese NPO actively engaged in conflict resolution in places like Africa and the Middle East. The session aims to stimulate discussion on how dialogue can lead to peace in a divided world.

The Purpose of the Event

As the world faces various conflicts, Accept International has been working since 2011 to support children and young adults affected by armed conflicts in Africa and the Middle East. Their efforts help these individuals transition from being involved with armed groups to becoming agents of peace in society. The upcoming talk aims to delve into this mission by discussing various dialogue approaches influenced by their grassroots experiences.

The event will also feature documentary footage that highlights the life and experiences of You Saito, the representative of Accept International, showcasing the organization’s on-ground efforts in conflict zones. This will provide attendees with a deeper understanding of the challenges and successes in their peace-building journey.

Why Does Japan Play a Role?

Participants will gain insight into why a Japanese organization tackles global peace-building. Many perceive global conflicts as distant issues, yet Japan has its historical experiences with war that shape its engagement in these global dialogues. This event will encourage participants to reflect on how Japan can contribute to peace in international contexts and foster dialogue even with those holding vastly different viewpoints.

Twofold Challenge: Understanding Others

A significant topic that will be addressed is the difficulty in understanding former combatants and how to foster dialogue in the midst of profound differences in values and perspectives. Accept International's team members, who have experience working in conflict zones, will recount their approaches to conversing and connecting with individuals from backgrounds vastly different than their own, tackling questions of empathy, mutual respect, and understanding.

Event Details

- Date: October 25, 2025
- Time: 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM (Doors open at 2:50 PM)
- Location: Sankouin Jyuugakudou, 3-1-36 Honmachi, Koganei City, Tokyo
- Participation Fee: Free

Note: If you wish to partake in a shojin ryori (Buddhist vegetarian meal) prior to the talk, a reservation must be made directly with Sankouin for a fee.

Limited Attendance

Spaces for this event are limited to approximately 30 attendees, so early registration is encouraged to secure your spot.

Pre-Event Dining Option

Sankouin will also offer shojin ryori from 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM for those interested. Reservations for this meal must be made separately from the event registration.

About the Speaker

Takuma Yamazaki, the Director of Communications at Accept International, will lead the discussions. He graduated from Keio University majoring in political science focused on African politics. After witnessing the aftermath of the Bosnian genocide, he committed to conflict resolution, joining the NPO in 2016. He has since worked extensively in various parts of Africa, addressing issues of youth unemployment and supporting reintegration efforts of former militants.

Join the Conversation

This event aims to build a collective perspective on how to approach the theme of peace in our complex world. Together, we will explore how to create a world without war and discuss the essential role of dialogue in achieving this goal. Whether you are familiar with conflict resolution or new to these discussions, your contributions will enrich the dialogue.

For more details and to register for the event, please visit Sankouin's official website. Join us as we engage in this vital conversation toward building a more peaceful future.