Peace Symposium New York 2023

Peace Symposium New York 2023, co-presented by Japan Institute and Japan Society, will be held on Thursday, September 21st, the United Nations’ International Day of Peace.

Japan Institute is the global cultural initiative of Portland Japanese Garden, created to facilitate and inspire conversations about peace, art, and the human relationship with the natural world. The Peace Symposia series features leaders from numerous cultural, intellectual, and diplomatic fields, coming together to discuss the evolving role of art, cultural institutions and public spaces as the platform for peacebuilding and community engagement. Ultimately, Japan Institute will hold six Peace Symposia on six continents – the first was in Tokyo and the second in London. New York will be the third in this series, followed by South Africa later this year.

The program will be followed by a reception.

Program Overview & Registration
This is a free event that is open to the public, with advance registration required.
Program (PDF)

2:30 | Doors Open

3:00 PM | Opening Session
Opening remarks by Steve Bloom, CEO, Japan Institute of Portland Japanese Garden
Welcome address by Joshua Walker, PhD, President & CEO, Japan Society
Congratulatory address by Mitsuko Shino, Ambassador Extraordinary & Plenipotentiary, Deputy Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations

3:30 PM | Keynote Address by Caryl Stern, Chief Impact Officer at LionTree & Former CEO, UNICEF USA

3:50 PM | Panel Presentations on Peacemaking and Creative Dialogue at the Intersection of Community, Art, and Gardens.
Ayanna Behin, Director of Training & Conflict Consulting, New York Peace Institute
Christopher Willis, Chief Director of National Botanical Gardens, South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) 
Robert Lear, Senior International Producer, Global Arts Corps

4:35 PM | Intermission

4:50 PM | Poetry Readings by Winners of the 2023 Poetry for Peace Competition USA
Mayah Pico
Hana Widerman
Yvanna Vien Tica

5:00 PM | Panel Discussion
Moderated by Thomas Hill, Clinical Professor, Director, Peace Research and Education Program Center for Global Affairs, New York University (NYU)

5:30 PM | Commissioned Poetry Reading by Nomi Stone

5:35 PM | Presentation: Discovering Peace Through Art by Hiroshi Senju, Artist

5:55 PM | Closing Remarks by Steve Bloom, CEO, Japan Institute of Portland Japanese Garden

6:00 PM | Catered Reception

To learn more about the speakers and guests, please visit the biographies page.

Due to the United Nations General Assembly sessions, the Japan Society building at 333 47th Street can only be accessed from Second Avenue. First Avenue and 47th Street will be blocked off. You will also be required to show ticket registration and ID when entering 47th Street.

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Image: The “Peace Lantern” (neko ashi yukimi), on the east bank of the Upper Strolling Pond, Portland Japanese Garden. Photo by Jim Reitz.

Japan Institute’s peace programming is made possible through Robert and Deborah Zagunis.

Special support given by:

Japan Society programs are made possible by leadership support from Booth Ferris Foundation and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.