ÑÇÉ«ÊÓƵ

ÈÕ±¾Óï 

ÑÇÉ«ÊÓƵ (HU) held the 6th University Presidents for Peace Conference at its Higashi-Senda Campus on August 6, 2026. Fifty-three participants attended the conference, including presidents and vice presidents from 17 universities (including HU) in 11 countries and regions that endorsed the principles of the University Presidents for Peace Declaration. Mayor of Hiroshima Kazumi Matsui and H.E. Mohamed Abdel Latif, Minister of Education and Technical Education of the Arab Republic of Egypt, were also in attendance. During the conference, participants discussed the role of universities in promoting peace and sustainability.

On the morning of August 5, the day before the conference, participants visited Peace Memorial Park and the Peace Memorial Museum, followed by a visit to HU Kasumi Campus in the afternoon. On the same day, HU also held the 1st Expert Meeting of the University Presidents for Peace Conference, bringing together experts from Japan and abroad to discuss the theme of Beyond the SDGs.

On the day of the conference, participants first attended the Peace Memorial Ceremony at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park before moving to HU Higashi-Senda Campus, where they attended the Memorial Service for the Victims of the Atomic Bomb. A screening of the film 8:15 Hiroshima: From Father to Daughter was also held, followed by a video message from Dr. Akiko Mikamo, the film¡¯s original author and executive producer and a graduate of HU¡¯s School of Education.

Having deepened their understanding of the realities of the atomic bombing and the value of peace, the participants then took part in the 6th University Presidents for Peace Conference, where they discussed the role of universities in advancing peace and sustainability.

In his opening remarks, HU President Mitsuo Ochi spoke about the significance of holding the conference on August 6 and emphasized the importance of passing on the memories and lessons learned from the atomic bombing to future generations. He also noted that universities play a vital role in developing people who can contribute to peace through education, research, and international exchange, and expressed his hope that universities would further strengthen their partnerships and work together toward the realization of a peaceful and sustainable world.

Following these remarks, Kazumi Matsui, Mayor of Hiroshima City, spoke about the importance of actively promoting exchanges among universities and study-abroad opportunities on a global scale, as well as expanding education and research across national borders to pass on the thoughts and aspirations of atomic bomb survivors to future generations while upholding the spirit of Hiroshima. 

In his own remarks, H.E. Mr. Mohamed Abdel Latif, Minister of Education and Technical Education of the Arab Republic of Egypt, emphasized the importance of international cooperation in education and spoke of the need for education that nurtures people who can choose cooperation over confrontation.

During the conference that followed, presidents and other representatives from the participating universities introduced the distinctive features of their respective campuses and their initiatives related to peace and sustainability, and exchanged views with one another.

Toward the end of the conference, President Ochi read aloud the University Presidents for Peace Declaration, which sets out the responsibilities of universities in building a peaceful and sustainable society. The Declaration calls for the promotion of collaborative research, student exchange, and the development of young talent. When the Declaration was unanimously adopted, the venue erupted in a round of enthusiastic applause.

ÑÇÉ«ÊÓƵ will continue to work in partnership with universities around the world and, through the University Presidents for Peace Conference, provide opportunities for international dialogue and collaboration centered on education and research, thereby contributing to the realization of peace and sustainability throughout the world.

Universities

• ÑÇÉ«ÊÓƵ
• The American University of Iraq ¨C Baghdad (Iraq)
• Conrad Grebel University College (Canada)
• Hasanuddin University (Indonesia)
• Hiroshima City University (Japan)
• National Central University (Taiwan)
• University of Perugia (Italy)
• University for Foreigners of Perugia (Italy)
• Visayas State University (Philippines)
• Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (India)
• Nagoya University (Japan)
• The University of Tokyo (Japan)
• Institute of Science Tokyo (Japan)
• Yonsei University (Republic of Korea)
• Arizona State University (United States)
• Columbia University (United States)
• The University of Sheffield (United Kingdom)

Organizations

• Ministry of Education and Technical Education, Arab Republic of Egypt (Egypt)
• Sardar Group (Iraq)

• The 5th University Presidents for Peace Conference ¨C Arab Chapter (February 4, 2026)
• 4th University Presidents for Peace Conference (August 6, 2025)
• The 3rd University Presidents for Peace Conference (Mar 21, 2025)
• University Presidents for Peace Conference - Africa Chapter (Nov 25, 2024)
• University Presidents for Peace Conference 2024 (Aug 6, 2024)