BOAT PEACE DOCKED IN MONACO

The Peace Boat’s first trip was organized in 1983 by a group of Japanese university students as an innovative response to government censorship regarding Japan’s past military aggression in the Asia-Pacific. They chartered a ship to visit neighbouring countries with the aim of Learning first hand about the war from those who experienced it and initiating people-to-people exchange. 

This non-profit organization is run by a Committee of about 120 people who are individually and collectively responsible for running the organization, and has almost 100 staff members representing a wide age variety, education, backgrounds and nationalities, who joined the Peace Boat team after participating in a voyage as a volunteer. The ship is a medium for their activities like forums on board to discuss socially responsible issues, and they are affiliated with Friends of the Earth International, World Social Forum, World Peace Now and other similar associations. Peace Boat believes that travel in itself can be a tool for positive social and political change, and seeks to create and implement best practices in responsible travel and what we call travel for peace and sustainability. Socio-political considerations rather than commercial interests largely determine their choice of destinations. Their partnership with local organizations and travel agencies reflect their goals to use tourism in a progressive and educational form to contribute to global sustainability and peace.

For more information visit www.peaceboat.org

Photo by: Celina Lafuente de Lavotha