The annual Goi Peace Foundation Forum provides a platform for scholars, activists, diplomats, policymakers and the general public to come together and, through dialogue, explore our way forward. Focal themes of past forums have included education, science, self-empowerment, youth, social entrepreneurship and philanthropy, with each forum program featuring international speakers and panel discussions, as well as arts, music and peace ceremonies.

Watch the recorded video of the 25th Anniversary Goi Peace Foundation Forum “PEACE TO PEACE”

25th Anniversary Goi Peace Foundation Forum “PEACE TO PEACE”

Peace begins in the hearts and minds of each individual…

Based on this concept, the Goi Peace Foundation has been promoting peace consciousness and building cooperation among people across diverse fields to foster a sustainable and harmonious global society. Celebrating our 25th anniversary, this year’s forum, entitled “PEACE TO PEACE,” will be a special event to connect us with each other and with the future, through our common desire for peace. Please join us!

Program

PART 1
Opening Remarks by Hiroo Saionji and Masami Saionji

2024 Goi Peace Award
Commemorative Speech by Jane Goodall (video appearance)

The Goi Peace Award is presented annually to honor individuals and organizations in various fields that have made outstanding contributions toward the realization of a peaceful and harmonious world for all life on earth. The 2024 Goi Peace Award will be presented to Dr. Jane Goodall, a world-renowned ethologist, conservationist, UN Messenger of Peace, and founder of the Jane Goodall Institute.

The Wisdom of Goi Peace Award Laureates

Since the establishment of the Goi Peace Award in 2000, past laureates from all walks of life have inspired us with their great wisdom. We will synthesize their messages to find ways to create a better world.

Presenters: Hafsat Abiola-Costello, Nipun Mehta, Maki Kawamura

PART 2
Dialogue Session: “Making a New Leap Toward Peace”

In this time of uncertainty when all systems seem to be failing, what is the most important thing we should do now? Guest speakers Hafsat Abiola-Costello, Nipun Mehta, and Masahiko Uotani will join forum hosts Masami and Hiroo Saionji to explore our way forward.

Presenters

Jane Goodall (video appearance)

Dr. Jane Goodall is an ethologist and conservationist known for her groundbreaking research of wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania, which forever changed our understanding of our relationship with the rest of the animal kingdom. This transformative research continues today as the longest-running wild chimpanzee study in the world. She founded the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) in 1977, and today there are 24 Institutes worldwide, including the Jane Goodall Institute Japan, advancing community-led conservation, animal welfare, and youth empowerment through the Roots & Shoots program, which is now active in 70 countries.

Today, at the age of 90, Jane Goodall continues to travel more than 300 days a year speaking to large audiences, schools, universities and corporate groups with her messages of hope. She reminds us all that our daily actions make a difference, and that the kind of difference we make is up to us.

Hafsat Abiola-Costello

Hafsat Abiola-Costello, 2016 Goi Peace Award laureate, is President of Women in Africa (WIA) Initiative. Born in Nigeria, she has been stirring up activism from the age of 19, fueling movements for democracy, gender equality and women’s leadership. Her life’s work is a tribute to her parents, who fought and died for their pro-democracy activism. Through WIA and her non-profit, the Kudirat Initiative for Democracy (KIND), which works in Nigeria, she is working to build a critical mass of women with the capacity to take on the challenges facing the continent of Africa and to bring about the breakthroughs Africans need. She also serves as the Special Envoy to Africa of the Women Political Leaders, among others.

Nipun Mehta

Nipun Mehta, 2019 Goi Peace Award laureate, is the Founder and Chief Inspiration Officer of ServiceSpace, an incubator of projects that works at the intersection of volunteerism, technology and the economy. With over 600,000 members worldwide, ServiceSpace has been advancing volunteerism and the gift economy to create both inner and outer transformation. A former Silicon Valley engineer and a fulltime volunteer since the age of 25, Nipun has received many awards, including the Dalai Lama’s Unsung Hero of Compassion. In 2015, President Barack Obama appointed him to a council on poverty and inequality. Nipun is routinely invited to share his message of “giftivism” to wide-ranging audiences.

Masahiko Uotani

Masahiko Uotani is the Representative Corporate Executive Officer, Chairman and CEO of Shiseido Co., Ltd. He joined Shiseido in 2014 as the first President and CEO to be appointed from outside the company. His business philosophy, “People First,” places employees at the core of the company’s stakeholders. His leadership and passion for diversity and equality led him to serve in other roles such as Committee Chair of Diversity & Inclusion of Japan Business Federation. Prior to joining Shiseido, he served as President and Chairman of Coca-Cola Co., Ltd. in Japan, and also established a marketing company to support marketing activities of Japanese companies.

Masami Saionji

Chairperson of the Goi Peace Foundation and May Peace Prevail On Earth International (headquartered in New York). As an international lecturer, author, and activist, Masami Saionji promotes peace awareness and individual spiritual development. Her best-known writings include The Golden Key to Happiness, You Are the Universe, and Vision for the 21st Century. She is also an honorary member of the Club of Budapest.

Hiroo Saionji

As President of the Goi Peace Foundation and May Peace Prevail On Earth International, Hiroo Saionji is responsible for building the international network of the two organizations in order to promote dialogues and initiatives for peace. In 2005 he launched the ‘Creating a New Civilization’ Initiative. He is also the honorary advisor to Ritsumeikan Saionji Juku (school for global leadership).

Maki Kawamura

Executive Director of the Goi Peace Foundation and medical doctor, Maki Kawamura is engaged in activities to build a society where the dignity of life and respect for diversity are protected. She is also President of Sachi House, a non-profit organization that supports cancer patients and their families.

*Japanese-English simultaneous interpretation available.

Date/Time

Saturday, November 30, 2024, 3:00 – 6:00 pm (Japan Time)
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Place

Nikkei Hall (1-3-7 Otemachi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo)