Full Text of Chairman Yutaka Tokuyama’s Opening Remarks
I am deeply pleased that today’s Kyoto International Peacebuilding Center Council meeting is being held here at Kyoto University of the Arts. You have all received a booklet titled “To the Young People We Have Yet to Meet.” I myself feel this is likely a message from the Secretariat asking me to incorporate this booklet into my remarks.
Our Uryuyama Gakuen aims to build peace and pursue peace through the power of art. While universities are not solely responsible for this, we uphold this aspiration as the foundation of our institution. That the Kyoto International Peacebuilding Center Council is convening at this academy is profoundly significant.
As Honorary Chairman Akashi mentioned earlier, wars continue not only in Japan but across the globe. Compounding this, global challenges like climate change are mounting. When we consider the future, these are precisely the issues we must tackle now. Within this context, we are deeply contemplating what our university, as an institution that “pursues peace,” can contribute. The conclusion we reach is “human development.” Cultivating individuals who can imagine potential events, transform that imagination into strength, overcome difficulties, or even turn adversity into new power. This is the path that leads to peace. While nurturing people may seem like a roundabout way, we believe it is actually the only path available to us, and we continue our educational activities with this conviction.
Therefore, moving forward, Uryuyama Gakuen, together with the Kyoto International Peacebuilding Center, will continue to work sincerely with all of you to tackle each challenge before us step by step, advancing steadily with our feet firmly planted on the ground. We sincerely request your continued support. Furthermore, we hope you will continue to engage in meaningful discussions, the outcomes of which we aim to reflect in our educational activities. We look forward to your continued support.