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On 23 May, a UN ¡°Peace Circle¡± was held at Hosei University in Tokyo under the theme ¡°Advancing inclusive peace ¡ª leaving no one behind.¡± Around 70 participants, including high school and university students, engaged in a dynamic dialogue.

Prior to the event supported by the UN Information Centre, Tokyo (UNIC Tokyo), participants completed a survey identifying which Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) they were most interested in. Based on these interests, they were divided into small groups focusing on topics such as poverty and hunger, health, education, gender and inequality, environment, industry and labor, and peace and justice. From these diverse perspectives, participants discussed pathways towards achieving peace.

The discussion began with participants reflecting on what ¡°peace¡± means to them personally, laying the foundation for open and inclusive dialogue. Building on this, participants explored what it means to ¡°leave no one behind,¡± sharing perspectives on who may feel excluded and examining the underlying factors that create such situations. In the final stage, participants reflected on actions they can take in their daily lives, identifying practical steps they can begin implementing from tomorrow.

Despite the wide range of focus areas, common key words emerged across the groups, particularly the importance of ¡°learning¡± and ¡°awareness.¡± Participants emphasized that understanding the realities of issues such as unequal trade systems, water scarcity, and disparities in education is a critical first step towards addressing them. Many suggested sharing what they learned during the Peace Circle with family, friends, and their wider communities, as well as using social media platforms to engage others. As one participant noted, ¡°Getting more people to think about solutions is a step towards change¡±.

When discussing the concept of peace, participants highlighted that peace is not simply the absence of war. Rather, it encompasses multiple dimensions. In terms of ensuring that no one is left behind, participants stressed the importance of creating environments where everyone can express their views and where the voices of those directly affected are heard.

Following the more than two-hour Peace Circle, the Director of UNIC Tokyo, Kaoru Nemoto, commended the participants for their vibrant focused discussions. Referring to data showing that peace agreements are 35 per cent more likely to last 15 years and longer when women are involved, she emphasized that ¡°engaging diverse groups of people as stakeholders in peacebuilding processes can generate significant impact.¡±