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Special Report |
LAST UPDATE September 6, 2008
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| site design imagesparkle.com |
| August 20, 2008 |
Peace Boat – A Reason to Unite |
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| Judith Belinfante, child survivor of the Holocaust, Founder of the present Jewish Museum in Amsterdam and former Parliamentarian, addressed the Article 9 festival. Photo by Stacy Hughes. |
Since its inception 25 years ago, Peace Boat has provided a neutral and dynamic space for people around the world to meet and share their knowledge in aid of peaceful co existence.
Each voyage is a unique mix of participants, guest educators, volunteers and staff that contribute towards this. However, there is another group that is as important - the communities at each port. They provide the link between Peace Boat and the outside world. Through interaction and co-operation, the two groups ensure that ideas and resolves are given the strength needed to make a difference.
During the 62nd Voyage, large events were held in several ports utilizing the ship and programmes onboard.
In Amsterdam, an onboard reception was held to bring together local students, activists and NGO representatives, for a report on the Global Article 9 Conference to Abolish War held in Japan earlier in the year. |
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| Participants canvassed for support of Article 9 on the streets of Amsterdam. Photo by Stacy Hughes. |
Mr Takashi Yamamoto, Peace Boat Executive Committee member, discussed the failure of Japan to advocate Article 9 as set in the constitution as seen in the deployment of its Self Defence Force to Iraq and Afghanistan. He pleaded with the audience to recognize and support Article 9 as a global ideal, as it plays a crucial part in maintaining peace and reducing the export of military equipment in the Northeast Asian region. Co-initiator of the conference, Dr Minoru Kamata, was also present as a show of support towards the attendees.
The European Centre for Conflict Prevention (ECCP), who co-organized the reception, also hosted Peace Boat’s Article 9 team for a dancing tour through the city. The group’s impromptu performance of the Article 9 dance in public spaces such as the 'Dam, in front of the City Hall and by the New Market captivated passers by, who stopped to watch and sign their support to the Article 9 petition. Further information about the Campaign, and how to sign the petition, is on the Global Article 9 Campaign web site here. (www.article-9.org) |
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| Over 100 locals attended the Peace and Green Concert in Reykjavik. Photo by Stacy Hughes. |
Peace Boat’s stop in Iceland marked the first visit by a passenger ship equipped with the agenda to learn about Iceland’s energy solutions and problems. In celebration of this, a ‘Peace and Green’ concert was held in the port of Reykjavik, attended by both Iceland’s Environment Minister, Thorunn Sveinbjarnadottir, and the Mayor of Reykjavik.
Minister Sveinbjarnadottir spoke of the infinite local and global capacity of Iceland’s energy and environment as well as the impact of global warming. She called on the audience to recognise their duty as individuals and nations, and make the changes needed to ensure that our beautiful planet is preserved for future generations. |
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Captain Montalvan (R) left the military because he “could no longer serve leaders who were corrupt and negligent”. Photo by Stacy Hughes. |
In New York, the focus of Peace Boat’s interaction with the local community was on the topic of peace. A ‘Cost of War’ panel discussion was conducted by Rebecca Peters, Director of International Action Network on Small Arms (IANSA), Luis Carlos Montalvan, retired US Army Captain and William Hartung, Director of Arms and Security Initiative.
Captain Montalvan condemned the US government for the humanitarian refugee crisis caused by the Iraq War and the unwillingness of the US to accept asylum seekers. He spoke of his plans to visit Jordan as part of the Iraq Veterans Refugee Aid Association, which he recently co-founded. He believes that taking veterans to such places will also help in their own healing process for contributing to the ‘cost of war’. |
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| The “People Building Peace” concert has been held annually for the past four years. Photo by Stacy Hughes. |
The second half of the event was a celebration of global culture through a 'People Building Peace' Concert, traditionally held during Peace Boat's visits to New York. Cora Weiss, President of the Hague Appeal for Peace gave the opening remarks followed by speeches from Peace Boat’s Director Tatsuya Yoshioka, as well as representatives from Black Veterans for Social Justice and New Yorkers Against Gun Violence.
Many NGOs and NPOs set up booths on the ship's top deck, while participants and local community members enjoyed live music performances by local bands and Japanese participants, while admiring the rare view of Manhattan from the water.
The abovementioned three events are examples of Peace Boat’s endeavours to unite people into taking organized action, so that dreams accused of being idealistic will one day become tangible. United, another world is possible. |
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