About Positive Peace Society (PPS)
Positive Peace Society at Hiroshima University is a student-led community committed to cultivating global peace, harmony, and sustainable development. Aligned with the core values of Hiroshima University – peace and compassion – our society stands as a vital pillar within the campus community. Our vision is to establish a thriving community at Hiroshima University where the Positive Peace Society serves as a catalyst for meaningful conversations, nurtures empathy, and drives collective efforts towards a world rooted in compassion, respect, and social responsibility. Our mission revolves around purposeful action. We provide a dynamic platform for students to engage in meaningful discussions, bridge cultural gaps, and take tangible steps towards positive change.
Activities
Our activities are aligned with our society’s mission and vision. We provide workshops, seminars, collaborative projects, and other events. We aim to empower individuals with the tools and mindset necessary to inspire transformative change, both within themselves and in the broader society they inhabit. Film screenings and discussions are another crucial part of our activities, providing spaces for introspection. By showcasing documentaries and movies on peace, social justice, and unity, we encourage reflective thought, laying the foundation for conversations that extend beyond the screen.
Core Members
Engy Turk (President)
Engy Turk is a master’s student at Hiroshima University Peace and co-existence program and a MEXT scholar. Originally from Cairo, Egypt and now calling Hiroshima her second home, Engy brings a deep sense of empathy, cultural understanding, and a sincere commitment to creating spaces where people feel seen, supported, and empowered. Her academic interests center on human rights, displacement, and the lived realities of vulnerable communities. These interests are deeply shaped by her personal journey and her awareness that access to quality education and knowledge is something many people in the world are denied. Engy believes that education and awareness are rare privileges, ones that should be shared widely. Through her role, she hopes to open doors for more students to engage with global issues, deepen their understanding, broaden their perspectives, and feel included in meaningful conversations. As President, she envisions PPS as a warm, welcoming community, one built on kindness, curiosity, and collective growth. She believes peace begins with how we listen, how we care, and how we create opportunities for each other to flourish. With this spirit, she is committed to guiding PPS into a new chapter filled with learning, rooted in connection, empowerment, and hope, where every member feels valued and inspired to make a positive difference.
Sota Uemura (Vice President)
Sota Uemura is a Master’s student in the International Peace and Co-existence Program at the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University. His primary research focus is the legal framework of the right of self-defense in international law. He is currently investigating state responsibility to clarify its relationship with the right of self-defense.
Dimitri Dunichev (Planning and Events Team Leader)
Dmitrii Dunichev is a master’s student at the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University, supported by the MEXT scholarship. His research explores how memories and experiences of past catastrophes can contribute to building a more resilient and peaceful society. His specific interests include the memory of the 3/11 nuclear disaster and other industrial, man-made catastrophes, as well as the legacy of World War II in East Asia. Dmitrii previously graduated from Saint Petersburg University in Russia and studied at Kobe University in Japan as an exchange student. He has professional experience in journalism and education.
Federico Bartalini – Research and Content Team Leader
Federico Bartalini is a Hiroshima University master’s graduate and a current PhD student in the International Peace and Coexistence (IPC) program, working on comparative legal cultures, access to justice, and conflict resolution across Argentina, the Netherlands, and Japan. Before coming to Japan, he practiced as a lawyer and mediator in Argentina, working closely with vulnerable communities and supporting them in resolving everyday legal and social challenges. These experiences shaped his strong sense of social responsibility and his belief in the law as a tool for improving society and people’s lives. He is a Next-Generation Fellow (SPRING Program), a Japanese government initiative that recognizes and supports promising researchers expected to contribute to future policy-making and national innovation. He recognizes the crucial role of intercultural dialogue as a way to build new bridges and work toward a more inclusive and fair future. Federico joined the Positive Peace Society to collaborate on issues of peace, sustainability, and justice, bringing in both his academic background and practical field experience.
Martin Millete (Social media and Communications Team Leader)
Martin Millete is a Master’s student from the Philippines enrolled in the International Peace and Co-existence Program at Hiroshima University. He completed his Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees in Political Science at De La Salle University in Manila, where he conducted research on the political economy of rail transport financing through Official Development Assistance (ODA) and Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in Metro Manila. Currently majoring in Cultural Anthropology, his present research focuses on stakeholder perceptions of Japanese ODA in Metro Manila’s mass transportation projects, exploring the concepts of development, displacement, and spatial inequalities.
Amiru Shi (Public Relations Team Leader)
Amiru Shii is a master’s student in the International Peace and Co-existence Program at the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University. During his undergraduate studies in International Liberal Arts, his research examined the role of local ownership and self-organization in sustaining peacebuilding. His current graduate research focuses on preventing violent extremism through community resilience. He has interned with the Peacebuilding Office at the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), contributing to TICAD9 and mine-action–related initiatives. As a member of the Positive Peace Society, he is eager to link research and practice and to work with others to advance positive.
Members
Sagal Osman Abdi
Sagal Osman Abdi is a passionate advocate for peace, currently pursuing a Master’s in International Peace and Coexistence with a focus on conflict prevention and resolution. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Djibouti and gained valuable experience in corporate logistics before transitioning to independent communications freelancing. As a committed civil society leader, Sagal champions cultural exchange and community engagement to foster coexistence and promote mental well-being.
Sagal is committed to actively supporting the Positive Peace Society, contributing to planning, communications, and public relations efforts.
Muhirwa Patrick
Muhirwa Patrick is a Master’s student in the International Peace and Coexistence Program at the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University. His research focuses on the praxis of reconciliation in post-genocide Rwanda, with particular attention to forgiveness. Drawing on his experience with reconciliation groups in Rwanda, he values dialogue and interpersonal contact as essential components of meaningful reconciliation. After completing the Positive Peace Program of the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), he looks forward to contributing to the work of the Positive Peace Society at Hiroshima University and beyond.
McKenzie Mitchem
McKenzie Mitchem is a Master’s student in the International Peace and Co-existence Program at the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Hiroshima University. She also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Howard University in the United States. She is passionate about youth education and has held various teaching, tutoring, and volunteering positions with children. She is current studying the effectiveness of agricultural development initiatives between Ghana and Japan. In the future McKenzie wants to study International law and aspires to work for the United Nations.
Magdalena de Lorenzo
Magdalena de Lorenzo is a master’s student in the Sustainable Development Double Degree Program between the University of Graz in Austria and Hiroshima University. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Environmental Systems Sciences and has has a strong interest in environmental sustainability, especially its intersections with social justice, international relations, and peacebuilding. Experiencing Japan and living outside Europe for the first time has broadened her perspectives in many ways, especially the peace-focused environment at Hiroshima University. She hopes to support the Positive Peace Society by bringing together environmental and social perspectives on sustainability.
Rajesh Banjara
Rajesh Banjara is a master’s student in the International Peace and Coexistence Program at Hiroshima University, focusing on international relations, migration, and peace-oriented policy analysis. Holding academic degrees in political science, law, public administration, and education, his current research examines the welfare of migrant workers in Japan, with particular attention to the role of diplomatic missions and the accountability of sending states in safeguarding migrant rights. His wider interests span transnational migration governance, comparative public administration, labour diplomacy, peacebuilding, and sustainable development. Drawing on his continuing experience in the civil service of Nepal, he aims to strengthen evidence-based policymaking and promote more people-centred and accountable governance systems.
Past Members
Vrajesh Rawal (Founder and President)
Vrajesh Rawal is a dedicated master’s student at Hiroshima University’s Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, specializing in international peace and coexistence. His research focuses on the Indian political economy, examining how political parties in India, such as the INC and BJP, influence the country’s interactions with the IMF. He is also the recipient of the Yoneyama Rotary Scholarship in Japan. Vrajesh found inspiration for starting this club from the concept of positive peace lead by the Institute of Economics and Peace. As the Founder and President of the Positive Peace Society, Vrajesh is passionate about promoting peace and stability. Inspired by Subhas Chandra Bose’s words, “Peace is not merely a distant goal, but a means to arrive at that goal,” he is committed to making a positive impact on the world.
Rahmatika Dewi (Co-Founder)
Rahmatika Dewi is a research assistant at Hiroshima University and a fellow at Network for Education and Research on Peace and Sustainability (NERPS), Hiroshima University. Her research focuses on education-to-work transition, exploring activated capitals for the transition, Career Decision Making (CDM) behavior, skills gap between education and workplace, and digitalization. She completed her dissertation titled “Revisiting Career Decision Making Process of Indonesian Polytechnic Graduates amidst COVID-19 – Drawing out the Pandemic Interactive Agency System (PIAS) Model” and introduced a novel concept namely “solidarity capital”. Recently she received the highest rank fellow award from the research promotion group, next-generation fellowship, Hiroshima University, Japan.
Wulandari Retnaningtiyas (Vice President)
Wulandari Retnaningtiyas is a master’s student in the Integrated Arts and Human Sciences Program at the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University. Focusing her research on cultural and sustainability studies, she analyzes the utilization of industrial heritage buildings for tourism and its relation to sustainable urban revitalization and development. Enrolled as a Taoyaka Program student, she engages in cross-disciplinary on-site activities in disadvantaged regions in Japan and South Asian countries, deepening her understanding of issues and the potential of peaceful coexistence.
Yoga Dwi Windy Kusuma Ningtyas (Secretary)
Yoga is a doctoral student at the International Education Development Program, Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Hiroshima University. She has always been passionate about developing innovative teaching and learning materials based on realistic contexts for mathematics classrooms. Recently, she has been participating in the Micro-credential program conducted by Michighan State University and the Ministry of Education, Republic of Indonesia, to reshape her knowledge in designing and developing school curricula. Driven by the vision of the Positive Peace Society and her experiences, she is determined to explore and leverage the potential of integrating positive peace and education and using peace as a context for teaching.
Bezhan Firuzzoda (Public Relations)
Bezhan Firuzzoda is a Master’s student in the International Peace and Co-existence Program at the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences of Hiroshima University. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and has work experience in foreign service. His research interests are international relations, international politics, diplomacy, environmental peacebuilding and sustainable development. He is currently studying the prospects for environmental cooperation in Central Asia. As an international relations practitioner, he strives to contribute to protecting the planet and ensuring peace and prosperity throughout the globe.
Contact Us
E-mail: ppshiroshima@gmail.com
Instagram: @pps_hiroshima
LinkedIn: Positive Peace Society HU
Twitter: @ppshiroshima
Facebook Page: Positive Peace Society Hiroshima University
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