제주평화연구원

Identifying Roles of Local Governments in Expanding Peace

Chair -KO Seong Joon Emeritus Professor, Jeju National University   Keynote Speaker -WON Heeryong Governor, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province -Yasuyoshi KOMIZO Chairperson, Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, Japan -Marianne GERDES Executive Director, Ilan-Lael Foundation, United States   -WON Heeryong  Jeju Island, a venue for discussion on peace in Northeast Asia, was designated in 2005 as the Island of World Peace so that it may develop into a buffering zone to prevent and solve international disputes and conflicts. In this spirit, Jeju Island should continue to make efforts to contribute not only to peace on the Korean Peninsula but also in Northeast Asia and the world. Peace is the ideal and goal for world citizens, but the recent global situation shows the transformation of the world order into one prioritizing national interests amid the rise of protectionism and pursuit of hegemony among the superpowers. The expansion of peace requires cooperation beyond national interests. In this respect, cities can more freely engage in activities free from national interests than state units. To build peace on the Korean Peninsula and expand it to East Asia, an inter-city solidarity to propagate the value of peace is necessary. The Alliance of World Peace Cities is an outpost to expand peace on a global level, which was joined by cities that have experienced the atrocities of wars in the past, or host international conferences and organizations. Those who have had direct experience of violence have a stronger desire for peace. The two atomic bombs dropped onto Hiroshima and Nagasaki devastated the two cities into ashes, and no grass or trees are believed to grow there until 2020. The cities pushed ahead with “Mayors for Peace” to share the experience of the atomic bombing and their wish for peace, and to disseminate this to every corner of the world with the next generation. Starting from 1982, the conference has made efforts to realize the “2020 Vision” that demands all deployed nuclear weapons be dismantled and all nuclear weapons in the world be destroyed by 2020 under the Non-Proliferation Treaty. Jeju Province has officially joined Mayors for Peace recently. It is an organization set up exclusively for peace itself, independent of certain states, cities or political interests. It is one of the best examples of diplomacy of “Peace Cities” delivering to the world peace messages based on their painful experiences. I would like to emphasize three points. First of all, it should be recognized that activities to practice peace are not appropriated solely by the state. State-organized activities to practice peace have limitations, but track two diplomacy led by the private sector or city units is relatively free from national interests. Second, solidarity among cities should be more solidified and developed for the purpose of expansion of peace. Alliances and cooperation among cities will give momentum to the activities of local governments to practice peace. The tentatively named “World Peace City Forum,” a platform on which the Peace Cities gather together to share exemplary peace-practicing activities, seek cooperative measures, and formulate joint projects, will be held on a regular basis in close collaboration with the Jeju Forum. Lastly, Jeju Province will push ahead with various peace-practicing activities with cities and the private sector. It also hopes that North Korean cities will join us in expanding peace in the near future. -Yasuyoshi KOMIZO  In August 1945, Hiroshima and Nagasaki were ruined by atomic bombs. By the end of the year, a total of 210,000 people lost their precious lives in both cities, and the survivors are still living in agony, suffering from health problems and social discrimination. Though most of them are almost 80 years old, the victims of the atomic air raids are spreading the humanitarian message that nobody should experience the same tragedy they went through. The message has many implications for the young generation. In full consensus with the idea of Hiroshima and Nagasaki cities, Mayors for Peace, as heads of local governments responsible for the safety and welfare of their citizens, have been engaging in humanitarian and supra-partisan activities to achieve peace without nuclear weapons. So far, 7,355 cities in 162 countries have joined as members, and they are making their best efforts to establish an international system to eradicate all nuclear arms in the world by 2020. About 15,000 nuclear arms still exist now, and disputes can possibly develop into armed conflicts amid rising exclusiveness and uncertainty in the international arena. Since the end of the 1960s, more than 1,000 nuclear arms accidents have taken place, and there were about ten occasions which could have led to the Third World War. This indicates the possibility of an outbreak of nuclear war, possibly by accidents. In the face of the reality of nuclear proliferation such as the nuclear development by North Korea, security by means of nuclear deterrence can be maintained just temporarily, and this deterrence by military force is destined to fail in the medium to long term and will eventually end up with armed clashes. Mayors for Peace emphasizes that a civil movement is necessary for a world free of nuclear weapons. It is trying to lay a solid foundation for nuclear disarmament and sustainable world peace. Especially, it is organizing meetings with the victims of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki to make public the realities of atomic bombing and pursuing UN treaties to abolish nuclear weapons. It is also engaging in activities to lay a basis for sustainable world peace. They are part of efforts to promote brotherhood by helping people acknowledge their differences and have shared values and goals. -Marianne GERDES  While uncertainties prevail in global society, many countries look to the U.S., anticipating peace and stability. But world peace cannot be achieved by the efforts of a single country, and it requires citizens’ efforts as much as that of a government. To achieve peace, it is necessary to recognize and respect the values of the Pacific Rim Park and to tackle problems on the basis of trust. The Pacific Rim Park project, joined by students and architects, promotes exchange and the sharing of culture, arts and future visions. Each park has its own characteristics and provides various educational values. The Pacific Rim Park project is pursued on three levels. First, students from across the world contribute their creativity, energy and passion. Next, local governments who provide land for the parks and citizens from around the globe play respectively important roles. Students have the experience of becoming citizens of the Pacific Rim and perform a role in bridging the Pacific Rim communities. The parks also enhance the value of host cities. This process is making the vision of James Hubbell, founder of the Park Foundation, come true. He built a Pacific Rim Park in Vladivostok, Russia, following the collapse of the communist regime in the of Soviet Socialist Republics(USSR). Each park, built through international exchanges, has its own cultural identity and vision. The conference held for four days in San Diego last May showed the effect of the experience of visiting the parks, and how the power of art moves local communities and expands peace to every corner of the world. There are plans to construct more parks that need the cooperation of member countries of the Pacific Rim Park and cities. The participants in the project are from different regions and countries, and have different opinions, but are trying to expand peace. At the meeting last month, they decided to have the third meeting of the Pacific Rim Park community at the Jeju Forum next year. Jeju City is emerging as a leader in the Pacific Rim community and is expected to play a main role in expanding peace in the future. Policy Implications Continuous efforts should be made to contribute to the expansion of world peace to: Build a coalition among cities beyond states. Hold the World Peace City Forum on a regular basis: The Peace Cities proposed to hold the “World Peace City Forum” jointly with the Jeju Forum to explore cooperative measures. Ties among cities made through the Peace Mayors conference To share a wish for peace with the next generation and spread it to the world, the Peace Mayors conference will be pushed forward. Diplomacy by Peace Cities led by local governments with a painful history will deliver peace messages to cities all over the world. A project to establish Pacific Rim Peace Parks The value of the Pacific Rim will be respected, and problems solved through mutual trust. Overcoming the barriers of language and culture, it will study and honor the value of universal humanity. Jeju Province is expected to emerge as a leader of the Pacific Rim and play a role in cultural exchanges for the dissemination of peace.