Building Peace in Hiroshima
This August, I attended the sixth “University Presidents for Peace” conference in Hiroshima, Japan, and signed the “Presidents for Peace Declaration” on behalf of Grebel. The conference included participation in two powerful ceremonies remembering the victims of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945.
An initiative of Hiroshima University, the conference gathered university administrators and scholars from six continents. The goal is to build a network of universities committed to “peace and sustainability through collaborative education and research.”
University leaders shared presentations about peace-related programs and capacities at their institutions. Experts held discussions on two themes. The first concerned the involvement of universities in developing “dual-use” technology—that is, inventions that can be applied to both beneficial and harmful purposes. The second discussion looked toward the year 2030, when the current United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are set to be reviewed and renewed. The experts called on universities to advocate for the inclusion of peace in the post-2030 agenda.
I’m most grateful for the leadership of Hiroshima University and its President, Mitsuo Ochi, in leading this initiative, and I hope Grebel can be part of its success.
Presidents for Peace Declaration
We, the University Presidents for Peace, have gathered in Hiroshima, Japan, for the Sixth University Presidents for Peace Conference, chaired by President Mitsuo Ochi of Hiroshima University.
As many years have passed since the atomic bombing, we have continued to reflect on how peace may be carried forward to future generations through learning and a deeper understanding of the events of 81 years ago. While sustained grassroots efforts can contribute to peace, the realities in different parts of the world call upon us to consider how deeply we understand the value and dignity of life beyond our own surroundings. We reaffirm our respect for every human life as a fundamental starting point for our reflections on peace and an essential foundation for a sustainable future.
Universities serve as places of education, research, and interaction, where young people broaden their perspectives through engagement with diverse values and with others. Students are not only future leaders but active participants in the present, engaging in learning, dialogue, and reflection. Nurturing thoughtful consideration, grounded in respect for human life and dignity, remains a responsibility of higher education.
Our core mission continues to be the promotion of student mobility and people-to-people connections through academic programs and educational initiatives. Accordingly, we reaffirm our commitment to:
- Nurture and expand a network of universities in support of peace and sustainability through collaborative education and research.
- Expand opportunities for student and young researcher exchanges in peace and sustainability, developing programs that transcend national borders and encourage international exposure and mutual understanding.
- Strengthen institutional and collaborative efforts to secure sustainable support for these initiatives and identify funding sources.
Through these commitments, we aim to further develop a global network of individuals who are educated, empathetic, and engaged, and who will contribute to advancing peace and sustainability.
We will share this commitment with the broader international community.
