International Peace & Sport Forum (2008, 2009)
The annual International Peace & Sport Forum was originally founded in 2007, under the High Patronage of HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco (pictured above left, with our Hope 81 Founder). Every year, the Monaco-based Peace & Sport Organization rallies hundreds of world leaders in sport, business, government, nongovernmental organizations, academia and media to discuss current sports-based relief efforts being made in areas of conflict and social unrest. Forum themes alternate from year to year, but generally encourage the Forum's distinguished panelists to expand upon current initiatives, drawing from their various fields of expertise, and most importantly...to break new ground. Through this open platform for discussion, along with rounds of mediated dialogue between members of conflict, the Forum is facilitating a positive new way toward global peace and sustainability.

This made us wonder, how about this sort of forum to help with our current East Asian peace and cooperation-building efforts? As HSH Prince Albert II declares on the Peace & Sport homepage: "This annual event will later take place all around the world, where the need is felt. But it will mostly become a permanent organisation capable of federating all those who believe in Universal Peace embodied by sport." Rather than waiting for the event to come to us, we went straight to the source...

Attending the Forum in Monaco the past two years (2008-2009) as the only grassroots/civil society/NGO representative from the East Asian region has been a very positive and fruitful experience for Hope 81. One key aspect for us was the way in which the IP&SF participants were frequently encouraged to take part in various networking breaks and one-on-one activities, staged during the three-day event. On the first evening in 2008, for example, we found ourselves being introduced to FIBA President Bob Elphinston during the welcome reception. What a great start! Then at dinner, we met with a grassroots/NGO leader presently working to relieve conflict along the Israeli/Palestinian border, Mr. Colin Hames. On the one hand, it was our very first opportunity to raise a voice for Japanese civil society amongst such an incredible group of (top-level) world leaders like President Elphinston. And on the other, a first chance to build new alliances with grassroots administrators (for action on the ground). As you can see, we continued to enjoy those all-important networking sessions at the IP&SF in 2009 as well. Pictured above: UN Sport for Peace and Development Special Advisor Wilfred Lemke, with Hope 81 International Relations Director Mie Kajikawa

Aside from networking, we also particularly enjoyed the learning environment provided by the Forum. With a variety of international sports-based organizations and agencies all working towards a common goal, and all under one roof, this was a rare line-up that would be impossible for us to find back home in Japan. Presenters at the Forum sessions offered information and insight about project implementation, pinpointing 'best practices' and areas for improvement; some of which could then, ideally, be applied to projects carried out in the East Asian region. From the experience, we were able to continue building our knowledge base and broaden our understanding of sport as a tool for development, poverty relief, environmental sustainability, conflict resolution and reconciliation, disaster management, and much more. The goal now is to take what we've learned and find a way to begin applying those effective methods and best practices to the ongoing struggles for peace and reconciliation in East Asia.

And now Hope 81 has a head start -- thanks to the Peace & Sport organizers and the amazing network they have assembled there in Monaco. Rumor has it, the 2010 Forum may be heading to Asia. Keep up with all their news and announcements on the Peace & Sport homepage.