A new millennium which began with a hope for peace and harmony for the world has already been violated by war, fear and disaster. Peaceful coexistence among nations and ethnic groups seems far from reality in this post-September 11th era. In Northeast Asia alone, wars and military confrontations have created long-lasting animosity and mistrust among nations and peoples. In addition, the Cold War structure and mindset still remain, even though there have not been any direct military conflicts since the Korean War, which ended in 1953. As a result, historical, territorial, military, and nuclear tensions and disputes continue throughout the region.
War is conceived in the mind before it is carried out, and so is peace. Peace cannot grow unless it is sown and nurtured in the mind. It has become clear that raising mutual understanding among Northeast Asians is vital in overcoming the vestiges of the Cold War era. Transforming the existing culture of animosity and militarism into a culture of peace and reconciliation can be possible through education and a fundamental paradigm shift. Thus, what Northeast Asia now needs for a peaceful future is not only a new political structure and diplomatic framework, but also peace institutes through which sustainable peacebuilding can be discussed and molded. Creating a venue for teaching and learning peace at the regional level is one of the most urgent needs for peacebuilding in Northeast Asia.
Allied military drills in the region have resulted in perceived threats and arms races for decades. Now is the time to shift the paradigm to regional joint peacebuilding efforts in order to create an environment where not only national security, but also human security is guaranteed. Northeast Asia has a long history of military exercises, but a rather short history of peace education. In this region, peace education, conflict resolution/transformation and frameworks for conflict prevention are still new terms. This is one of many reasons why Northeast Asia would benefit from a regional peacebuilding institute (Northeast Asia Regional Peacebuilding Institute, NARPI) where education and training for peace are provided.
The idea of creating NARPI was born after discovering the needs of many activists and students for formal practical education and training in the areas they are already engaged in, or interested in engaging in peacebuilding. NARPI is a place of (re)training for community leaders, students, NGO activists, professionals, scholars, religious leaders and government officials who are interested in deepening their theoretical knowledge of peace and conflict or sharpening their practical peacebuilding skills.
In this new millennium, it is important to acknowledge that sustainable peacebuilding needs to take root and spread through people who receive peacebuilding training at the grassroots and civil society level, not only governmental levels. The time of transformation is coming and it is time for Northeast Asia to be a center for peace. For this to happen, the Northeast Asia Regional Peacebuilding Institute (NARPI) will be essential. Northeast Asia, let us equip ourselves for the future!
