NERPS 2026 Conference in Tokyo, Japan

The Network for Education and Research on Peace and Sustainability (NERPS) at Hiroshima University and United Nations University (UNU) will jointly host the 5th NERPS conference on March 4–7, 2026 at the UNU Headquarters in Tokyo. Technological innovations present opportunities for achieving peace and sustainability. These technologies can facilitate cultural exchange, distribution of goods, and risk monitoring, among other uses. On the other hand, ill-intentioned use of these technologies could pose risks to international peace and security and exacerbate existing inequalities that could hinder the progress of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The United Nations Secretary-General has called for digital cooperation especially in an era when multilateralism is being confronted by armed conflicts, climate change, and heightened inequalities, among other global challenges. With this backdrop, the NERPS 2026 Conference highlights the role of technologies in strengthening multilateralism on peace and sustainability. It offers a platform for students, researchers, and practitioners to exchange ideas, present their work, and forge partnerships for transdisciplinary research and collaborative action toward peaceful and sustainable futures. The conference will feature research presentations, expert roundtables, innovative workshops, and an optional excursion.

Dr. Måns Nilsson, Executive Director, Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI)
Rumiko Seya, President, Reach Alternatives (REALs)

Abstracts can focus on the following sub-topics, as well as other relevant aspects of peace and sustainability.

Peace Sustainability Nexus

• Anthropocene
• Cooperation and conflict over transboundary resources
• Digital technologies for both peace and sustainability
• Education for both peace and sustainability
• Environmental peacebuilding
• Environmental/climate activism
• Environmental/climate justice
• Environmental/climate security
• Human-nonhuman coexistence
• Impact of pandemics on both peace and sustainability
• Just transitions
• Peace-development nexus
• Planetary justice
• Politics of sustainability
• Others

Peace

• Anthropology of peace
• Conflict resolution
• Diplomatic negotiations
• Geopolitics
• Global governance
• Human security
• International peace and security
• International politics
• Migration
• Peace education
• Peace research methodologies
• Peace, conflict, and COVID-19
• Peacemaking/peacebuilding
• Sociology of peace
• Women and youth in peace and security
• Others

Sustainability

• Biodiversity conservation
• Climate change adaptation & mitigation
• Disaster risk reduction and management
• Ecosystem services
• Energy resources planning management
• Food resources planning and management
• Human health and well-being
• Land/terrestrial resources planning and management
• Non-renewable resources and extractive industries
• Oceans/marine resources planning and management
• Smart solutions and technologies for sustainable development
• Sustainable development goals (SDGs)
• Urban Sustainability (including transportation, construction, planning)
• Water resources planning and management
• Water-energy-good nexus
• Others

Follow the conference’s social media accounts and use #NERPS2024.