In the post-cold war world, most conflicts take place within, rather than between, states. In this context, international society has come to pay ever more attention to ‘peace building’, namely, efforts to prevent conflicts occurring or re-occurring in politically unstable or fragile countries and regions. Based on its policy of prioritizing the Asia and Pacific region, the Sasakawa Peace Foundation conducted surveys last year to assess local needs in the field of peace building, and interviewed experts in conflict areas and areas in the process of post-conflict reconstruction in Asia. As a result, the followings were clarified; although the conflict in Southern Thailand receives little international attention, the area has great need of support; cooperation among local experts and related organizations in (former) conflict areas has great potential to contribute to the peace process in the areas concerned; although they do not usually receive much support from grant-making organizations, alternative and community media such as radio and the Internet play significant roles in conflict transformation and the peace process. On the basis of these findings, the Foundation is currently developing project ideas and plans, taking two different approaches: 'Alternative media for peace' and 'Strengthening international cooperation'.

In the 'Peace Building in Asia and the Role of Japan’ project, the Foundation will invite NGO representatives and journalists who effectively use the media in their activities to promote peace in (former) conflict areas to an international symposium organized by the Foundation in Tokyo to deepen understanding among the Japanese public of the situation in (former) conflict areas in Asia and the peace building activities carried out therein. Furthermore, to smoothly manage the Foundation’s grant program for peace building, on-going projects will be monitored and evaluated, and novel projects will be developed in the field.

In the first phase of this three year project, the following activities will be carried out.

• International Symposium: 'Peace Building in Asia and the Role of Media' (tentative title)
  The Foundation will invite media and NGO representatives from (former) conflict areas to an international symposium, organized by the Foundation, on the links between peace building activities and the media. In organizing the symposium, the Foundation will enlist cooperation from Japanese universities, researchers, and journalists.
  
  • April-May:
    Coordination with Japanese universities and other cooperating bodies
  • June-August:
    Preparation for invitation of participants, finalization of the program
  • September:
    The International Symposium
  • October-December:
    Preparation of reports and evaluation
• Seminars
  The Foundation will organize a number of seminars with international guest speakers considering public interests in Japan and the political situation in conflict areas.
• Management of the grant program
  SPF will conduct/outsource the following activities to manage the grant program.
  
  • (1) Monitoring of the grant project (through on-site visits)
  • (2) Evaluation (outsourced to external specialists)
  • (3) Project development (field studies, meetings of experts, and surveys, outsourced to local groups)