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Special Report |
LAST UPDATE June 21, 2007
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| June 9, 2007 |
Peace, Ports and People Around the World: The 58th Global Peace Voyage Gets Underway |
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| Colourful streamers line the ship as Peace Boat departs Yokohama |
The 58th Peace Boat voyage got underway on June 9, 2007, cheered on by hundreds of friends and relatives of those onboard. As the ship set sail from Yokohama port amidst a web of colourful streamers, many felt excited by what lies ahead. Over the next 100 days, the ship and its participants will take a course through the Suez and Panama canals, Norwegian and Alaskan fjords, and visiting a total of 22 ports on its journey to promote peace and people-to-people exchanges around the world. |
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| Gus Miclat leads the crowd in a toast to the voyage |
In an inspiring send-off speech, Gus Miclat – Executive Director of Initiatives for International Dialogue and onboard Guest Educator – summed up the purpose of the voyage for the crowds: “This beautiful, tangled web of streamers symbolises the fact that different people’s stories and issues are interlinked” he said. “Not just through our families and friends here in Japan, but beyond – we are all linked to people globally. This voyage is about making new friendships across the globe. I hope that you will return to share your stories and those of the people you meet. I want you to be able to untangle the issues that lead us to peace.” |
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| A final farewell from one of the participants |
Many of the participants saying farewell come from across Japan, but they join an international community aboard the ship, including volunteer English and Spanish teachers, a team of volunteer interpreters and a group of students from Asia, Europe and the US who will be taking part in the Global University programme held onboard. The ship also hosts an array of international Guest Educators - from academics and NGO workers to journalists and musicians – each of whom will lead events and lectures that explore peace and sustainability issues in the countries we visit. |
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| Sankyo Mitsuhiro (left) and Masaaki Tahara look forward to communicating globally |
On leaving Yokohama, many participants were already looking ahead to the exchange programmes Peace Boat organises with partner organisations in the ports. ‘By meeting with local people in the ports, I hope to learn about peace issues first-hand’ said 27 year old, Akaya Abe. Others are keen to get involved with the diverse community on the ship, including Sankyo Mitsuhiro and Masaaki Tahara, both 70 years old. “We joined to learn English and Spanish from the teachers onboard, as well as see the world and communicate with others internationally” they agreed. |
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| Tokyo Gyangstar and Peace Boat dancers continue the celebrations into the night |
A stop in Kobe the following day allowed the ship to welcome yet more participants from the west of Japan, taking the total to over 1,000. Celebrations continued into the evening with a lively on-deck performance by guest band Tokyo Gyangstar. Those onboard can also look forward to thousands of other diverse cultural events over the journey, from salsa dancing to calligraphy. |
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| The 58th voyage continues Peace Boat’s commitment to communication, cultural exchange and understanding at the grassroots level |
Along the journey, events and port exchanges will focus on a series of themes, including:
Working to create peace in Asia and the Middle East
Indigenous people and their connection to the earth
The links between free trade and small arms dealing
Alternative lifestyles and energy sources
Peace constitutions across the world
How can we make a difference?
Some of Peace Boat’s specific programmes will also bring footballs to the children of Aqaba refugee camp in Jordan, commemorate the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima at the UN in New York and bring together immigrants in Vancouver – all as part of its commitment to promote peace and foster cultural exchange.
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