Preparatory meeting sets stage for new global peace knowledge hub

From the left: Hiroshima City University President Wakabayashi, Hiroshima City Mayor Matsui, Hiroshima University President Ochi and Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation Chairman Kagawa

On January 12, a preparatory meeting was held at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (Naka Ward, Hiroshima City) towards the establishment of the “Hiroshima Platform for Peace Studies and Education,” aiming to create a “knowledge hub” for peace.

The organization, formed through collaboration among Hiroshima City, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima City University, and the Hiroshima Peace Culture Center, aims to establish a hub for peace education and research within Hiroshima University's former Faculty of Science Building 1. This hub will also serve as a catalyst for promoting "peace culture" throughout Hiroshima. Specifically, it seeks to advance global peace by facilitating research and educational initiatives on peace among universities, between universities and Hiroshima City, and with other peace-related organizations. Its overarching goal is to cultivate a shared vision for a nuclear-free world and to drive substantial progress toward global peace.

The preparatory meeting was attended by Mayor Kazumi Matsui of Hiroshima City, President Mitsuo Ochi of Hiroshima University, President Shin'ichi Wakabayashi of Hiroshima City University, and Chairman Takehiro Kagawa of the Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation. On that day, key decisions were made, including locating the main office within the Hiroshima City University Satellite Campus (Naka Ward, Hiroshima City) and finalizing details such as the logo.

At a press conference following the preparatory meeting, Mayor Matsui expressed excitement about the establishment of the new platform. “The organization serves as a crucial tool in contributing to Hiroshima’s peace efforts, helping to spread the spirit of peace from Hiroshima to the rest of the world,” he said.

President Ochi also expressed approval, stating, “Since assuming the presidency in 2015, I have believed that by collaborating, we can deliver a stronger message to the world with one voice and achieve further deepening of education and research.” He also welcomed the preservation of the former Faculty of Science Building 1 as “a joyous occasion to see representative A-bombed buildings being preserved.”

Furthermore, when asked about specific collaborations, he mentioned the expansion of credit transfer for classes with Hiroshima City University. Additionally, he addressed the breadth of research areas, stating, “Global peace encompasses persistent issues like poverty and hunger,” and expressed hope for advancements in research, saying, "With the involvement of many people, a wide range of fields can be covered, fostering mutual exchange and deepening expertise in each discipline.”

On January 15, HU Executive Vice President Yumiko Suzuki and Director Noriyuki Kawano from the Center for Peace were appointed as board members.