Global Peace Summit: A Collaborative Dialogue for a World Without Borders

On July 26, 2025, the Japan Junior Chamber (日本JC) organized the Global Peace Summit in Hiroshima, a significant gathering featuring middle and high school students from Japan and several countries including Germany, Argentina, Indonesia, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Hawaii. This event focused on discussions about global peace, encouraging international exchange among about 50 participating students.

Building Peace Through Dialogue

This year marks the 80th anniversary of post-war Japan, and the Japan JC has been actively promoting various initiatives to cultivate awareness about peace. The purpose of the Global Peace Summit is to provide a platform for young individuals who represent the next generation, allowing them to engage in conversations with their peers from different cultural backgrounds. By embracing diverse perspectives, they can better grasp historical contexts and take their first steps toward becoming ambassadors for global peace through dialogue.

The event kicked off with a visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, where students engaged in reflective discussions gained from their observations. Following this, working in groups, they contemplated themes such as “What does peace mean to me?” and “What kind of actions can we take?” This culminated in each participant creating their own “Global Peace Summit Peace Declaration.”

Crafting Declarations of Peace

Participants based their declarations on their interpretations of “Peace x [Theme].” They discussed possible actions that could arise from these themes. Notable themes included:

- Peace x Adventure: A German high school student proposed that traveling the world and learning about diverse cultures fosters understanding, which is essential for global peace.
- Peace x Economy: A Taiwanese high school student asserted that political leadership and improving the economy are fundamental steps towards achieving peace.
- Peace x Picture Books: A Japanese student emphasized creating picture books to encourage reflection about peace among both parents and children.

These declarations reflected the variety of backgrounds and historical narratives held by participants, highlighting differences in values and interpretations of peace. The discussions fostered an enriching environment, leading to new insights and mutual understanding among the attendees.

A Collaborative Effort Across Borders

The interactions weren't limited only to the Japanese students. Participants from overseas actively assisted each other with translation, demonstrating a shared commitment to communicate their feelings and thoughts, despite language barriers. The role of “peace education” was abundantly evident, with promising signs of international exchange as students endeavored to deepen their understanding of one another's perspectives.

Overview of the Global Peace Summit

- Date: July 26, 2025 (Saturday), 13:00 - 18:00
- Venue: Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (Hiroshima City)
- Participants:

- 20 Japanese Global Youth UN Ambassadors
- 8 additional Japanese students
- 12 students from Germany
- 2 students from Argentina
- 1 student from Indonesia
- 4 students from Taiwan
- 1 student from the Philippines
- 2 students from Hawaii

- Main Agenda:

1. Dialogue Session: Conducted by Mr. Kota Sumioka from Peace Culture Village, an NPO.
2. Fieldwork: A visit to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, followed by group reflections.
3. Group Presentations: Centered around the theme “Peace x [Theme]” tailored to individual interpretations.
4. Action Plan Development.
5. Creation of the Global Peace Summit Peace Declaration.

The Global Peace Summit succeeded in not only being a platform that echoes hopes for peace but also a vivid demonstration of youth coming together across cultures for meaningful dialogue and collaboration.