A peace boat from Japan docked in Belfast to “learn about the successes and ongoing challenges of local community peacebuilding” as part of its 118th global voyage.
The Peace Boat is a Japan-based non-governmental organisation which travels around the world promoting peace and sustainability.
It was founded in 1983 and has previously visited Belfast for a range of educational exchange programs as well as using the ship as a space to host groups to engage in talks about peaceful coexistence.
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The 77,000 ton passenger ship, Pacific World, docked in Belfast on Saturday as part of its latest voyage which saw it depart Yokohama, Japan in August.
A group of participants met with local peacebuilders including the Community Relations Forum and a delegation from the Peace People were also welcomed onboard.
Dr David Mitchell, a professor at Trinity College in Dublin, has been onboard the ship as a Guest Educator since September 30, when he boarded at Porto, Portugal.
He has presented lectures on Northern Ireland’s peacebuilding experience to the 1,500 people onboard.
A delegation from Trinity also visited the ship during its stay in Belfast.
The ship departed Belfast on Saturday night as it makes its way to Reykjavik, Iceland – the next stop on its voyage.
The project was set up by a group of Japanese young people to foster dialogue for peace in East Asia.
Its founder, Yoshioka Tatsuya, was nominated for the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize.
It is also the anchor of the 2017 Nobel Peace Laureate, the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN).
