A New Agenda for Peace: Turning the World Away from War

A New Agenda for Peace: Turning the World Away from War

Public Seminar, Tokyo

21 February, 2026

The Toda Peace Institute held a public seminar in Tokyo on February 21, 2026, under the overall theme “A New Agenda for Peace: Turning the World Away from War.” Approximately 30 invited guests attended in person, while the event was simultaneously streamed online, reaching over 500 viewers including researchers, members of the public, and students.

The seminar featured eight researchers from Toda Peace Institute and, following a welcome and opening address from TPI’s Director, Stein Tønnesson, the seminar proceeded in two parts each featuring two sessions. Each theme was explored through a dialogue format between two researchers, facilitated by a moderator. On-site participants had the opportunity to pose questions to the speakers in Q&A sessions. The program and speakers are detailed in the flyer here.

Additionally, after the seminar, valuable feedback was received from over 130 online participants. Key comments are as follows:

“I heard insightful discussions on today's themes, such as climate change and democracy, highlighting their interconnections.”

“Japan has long maintained its position as a peaceful nation under Article 9 of its Constitution. Now, as divisions and conflicts deepen, I believe we must leverage this stance to contribute to the international community.”

“I've been wondering what I can do as a citizen... This reaffirmed that grassroots dialogue is essential, where individuals with differing values engage in discussion. I now understand that algorithms inherently amplify division on social media, fuelling anxiety and anger. I intend to use social media while keeping in mind that our emotions are being manipulated.”

“I now understand the importance of considering global issues like climate change. I believe everything is fundamentally connected. My high school daughter and I are studying together to strive for a world without nuclear weapons. Through this, I've come to feel that the profound beauty of our planet itself can lead to peace. I pray daily that people worldwide can experience days filled with the simple joy of being alive. I want to start by making efforts in my daily life to avoid wasting resources.”

Toda Peace Institute extends its deepest gratitude to everyone who watched the seminar and to all who shared their thoughts. It will continue to redouble its efforts to strengthen and advance research toward building world peace.

The seminar sessions will soon be available on the Toda Peace Institute YouTube channel.