The International NGO, Peace Boat from Japan, made her visit to Bergen and the Rafto Human Rights House on 26 August 2004. Peace Boat is an educational and networking NGO, working for intercultural understanding, human rights, sustainable development and the environment. Around 950 young peace activists participate on this global voyage to 97 countries, the 46th cruise since the start in 1983. (30-AUG-2004)

 

Passengers from 17 countries

Most of the passengers are Japanese, but there are people from seventeen different countries on board the ship, among them representatives from Bosnia , Mexico , Australia , Croatia , Northern Ireland and Palestine . One of the main elements of Peace Boat´s work is cooperation with local and international NGOs.

 

 

Workshop at the Rafto House

More than 60 participants from Peace Boat attended a workshop at The Rafto Human Rights House. The program included information about the Rafto House and its history and a short presentation of the Thoralf Rafto Foundation, its history, the student group and the Raftoprize for human Rights. Eric Urban held a presentation of the EU-institutions and Human Rights within the Union and the issue of Turkey as a potential member. Knut Kongsvik talked about Human Rights abuses in Norway . In general, Japanese people see Norway as an ideal country. Joakim Ophaug presented the work of the War and Children Project, and Tanja Clifford talked about Amnesty International.

 

On board the ship

In the evening, representatives of the different organizations at the Rafto House were invited for a guided tour, a work dinner and open discussions at the Peace Boat, where we learnt about the different education programs for peace, culture, environment, etc. We really appreciated connecting new international contacts, and we are looking forward to the Peace Boat’s next arrival to Bergen in 2005.      

 

 

International networking
Peace Boat works to promote peace, human rights, equal and sustainable development and respect for the environment. The  philosophy is based on the idea that all these aspects are inter-related, and that any problem faced by any community is a global challenge, which must be tackled through co-operation between peoples, organisations and governments of the world.
In line with this basic philosophy, the participants of Peace Boat seek to create, as a first step, awareness amongst the people of the world of these challenges, together with international solidarity and friendship between individuals. The objective is then complemented by facilitating actual support and partnership between NGOs around the world, through co-operation programmes.