[Emergency Statement] Act Now to Realize a Peaceful World! – Three Actions Proposed by the National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan

The National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan (Shibuya-ku, Tokyo; President: Miki Sato) has adopted the following statement at its Board of Directors meeting and is disseminating it widely.

"Since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed" — this is the noble ideal upheld by the Constitution of UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). Resonating with this ideal, we launched the world's first non-governmental UNESCO movement in Japan. For nearly 80 years since then, we have accumulated activities rooted in local communities nationwide in the fields of education, culture, and science.

However, today, the order of the international community that we have cherished is facing a serious crisis. Unilateral actions by major powers are occurring one after another, and international mutual distrust is heightening. It has become difficult to maintain the "multilateral order through dialogue and cooperation" that was built from the tragic lessons of the two world wars.

The UNESCO Constitution clearly states that a peace based exclusively upon political and economic arrangements of governments would not be a peace which could secure the unanimous, lasting, and sincere support of the peoples of the world. Therefore, we must now return to our origins. We must reaffirm the ideals of the "rule of law" and "peace rooted in the minds of men" shown in the UN Charter and the UNESCO Constitution, and raise our voices to restore the international order and relations of trust that are being lost.

At this turning point in history, marking the 75th anniversary of Japan's accession to UNESCO, what should we, the non-governmental UNESCO movement, do? We propose the following three actions.

First, let us broadcast voices calling for peace more widely and loudly.

We will appeal to civil society beyond our membership about the importance of observing international rules and that sustainable peace is born precisely through dialogue and mutual understanding. Let us spread the awareness that each individual is a bearer of peace, from local communities to the world.

Second, let us firmly pass on the roots of peace through education to the next generation.

Peace is not built in a day. Through repeated dialogue with children and youth, we will share the experiences and achievements accumulated by the non-governmental UNESCO movement. Education is the surest foundation of sustainable peace.

Third, let us expand grassroots solidarity domestically and internationally, and walk together with the people of the world.

Utilizing the experience of international cooperation cultivated over many years by the non-governmental UNESCO movement, this call is directed not only to members in Japan but to all people wishing for peace worldwide. Let us join hands transcending differences in nationality and culture, and together realize the "peace rooted in the minds of men" envisioned by the UNESCO Constitution.

The National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan hereby pledges to sincerely tackle these three proposals alongside all of you who wish for peace.

National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan

President Miki Sato

■ About the UNESCO Constitution

Adopted on November 16, 1945, in the pursuit of a peaceful world after World War II, the UNESCO Constitution declares that "it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed."

While UNESCO is an intergovernmental organization composed of member state governments, it holds the view that achieving its purpose requires not only the cooperation of respective governments but also of citizens, and that peace is built when the people of the world achieve intellectual and moral solidarity. Unlike peace achieved through military force or treaties, UNESCO's approach is rooted in an unwavering trust and expectation in the minds, reason, and conscience of each human being, transcending race and borders.

The following is an excerpt from the Preamble to the "UNESCO Constitution":

"That since wars begin in the minds of men, it is in the minds of men that the defenses of peace must be constructed;

That ignorance of each other's ways and lives has been a common cause, throughout the history of mankind, of that suspicion and mistrust between the peoples of the world through which their differences have all too often broken into war;

That the great and terrible war which has now ended was a war made possible by the denial of the democratic principles of the dignity, equality and mutual respect of men, and by the propagation, in their place, through ignorance and prejudice, of the doctrine of the inequality of men and races;

That the wide diffusion of culture, and the education of humanity for justice and liberty and peace are indispensable to the dignity of man and constitute a sacred duty which all the nations must fulfill in a spirit of mutual assistance and concern;

That a peace based exclusively upon the political and economic arrangements of governments would not be a peace which could secure the unanimous, lasting and sincere support of the peoples of the world, and that the peace must therefore be founded, if it is not to fail, upon the intellectual and moral solidarity of mankind."

■ About the National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan

The National Federation of UNESCO Associations in Japan is a non-governmental UNESCO organization (NGO) established with the purpose of promoting the non-governmental UNESCO movement based on the ideals of the UNESCO Constitution.

Continuing the non-governmental UNESCO activities that began in Sendai ahead of the rest of the world, approximately 260 UNESCO Associations nationwide...