International Symposium on Conflict Prevention "Culture of Prevention: Multi-Actor Coordination from UN to Civil Society"

March 7, 2001

1. An International Symposium on Conflict Prevention "Culture of Prevention: Multi-Actor Coordination from UN to Civil Society" will be held on March 13 (Tue) and 14 (Wed) in Tokyo (Takanawa Prince Hotel). This Symposium is organized by the Government of Japan as part of the follow-up of the G8 Miyazaki Initiatives for Conflict Prevention.

2. The Symposium will be chaired by Mr. Yasushi Akashi, Chairman, The Japan Center for Preventive Diplomacy. Other participants will include Gen. Hok Lundy, Director General of National Police of Cambodia; Ms. Milena Pires, Deputy Speaker, National Council of East Timor; Mr. Mitsuro Donowaki, Special Assistant to the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan; Dr. George Quinn, Head of the Southeast Asia Centre, Faculty of Asian Studies, Australian National University; Prof. Hisako Shimura, President, Tsuda College; Prof. Dr. Hans van Genkel, Rector, United Nations University; Mr. John Renninger, Director, Asia and Pacific Division, Department of Political Affairs, United Nations; Sir Harold Walker, President, Care International; and many others from various actors, such as governments, international organizations, NGOs, and civil society.

3. In recent years, studies on methods of conflict prevention have been rapidly progressing including those on "small arms and light weapons" or "conflict and development". It is necessary for various actors participating in conflict prevention activities to complement and cooperate with one another, in putting those methods into practice. Bearing this in mind, the Symposium is intended mainly to consider how UN and NGOs should tackle conflict prevention, in particular, what will be concrete approaches to the issues of "conflict and development in East Timor" and "small arms and light weapons in Cambodia", and, while making a comparative study with other cases and areas, what should be effective cooperative measures among actors involved in conflict prevention activities including local communities, governments, international organizations, NGOs, civil society and third countries.
   (Reference) The Chairman, Mr. Akashi, will hold a press conference with English translation at the Takanawa Prince Hotel from 13:30 on March 14 after the end of the Symposium.

Related Information (Conflict Prevention)