What is PRIME?

ACTIVITIES

1. INTER-DISCIPLINARY RESEARCH

PRIME conducts various research projects with affiliated researchers playing a central role. In 2008, our main project research is on “Globalization and Peace,” focusing on the issues of disarmament, role of the media and the reconciliation between cultures and religions.

2. PEACE EDUCATION

As part of its peace studies and peace education program, PRIME organizes a series of classes on the topics of “Hiroshima and Nagasaki” and “Peace, Development and Human Rights.” Different lecturers are invited from both within and outside the university to speak on these topics and engage in discussion
with students. With the help of student volunteers, PRIME also hosts “Cafe de PRIME,” a learning forum where students and teachers gather once a week over brown bag lunches for free, multifaceted discussions about important issues of our times. Together with student volunteers, PRIME plans and hosts various film screenings,　lectures and other events at cam-pus festivals (e.g.Totsuka Festival, Shirokane Festival) .

3. ENGAGEMENT WITH CIVIL SOCIETY

PRIME hosts one or two international symposia each year. In May 2008, PRIME held the symposium “War and Peace in Africa.” It also hosts open study groups and lectures on a broad range of issues connected with our project research. In July 2008, PRIME held these minar “Financial and Ecological Crises” featuring Susan George as a guest speaker.

4. PROVISION OF DOCUMENTS AND INFORMATION

PRIME publishes and distributes "PRIME" (the bi-annual proceedings of the institute) and the "Thinking of the South" series (1-2 times a year). The institute also operates a reference room with books and audio-visual materials collected according to the unique perspectives of our affiliated researchers. These aterials may be borrowed through the library or browsed on-site (prior appointment required). The Pugwash Library is also open to the public. This is a collection of records, resources and documents pertainingto the Pugwash Conferences on Science and World Affairs .

PUBLICATIONS

■PRIME
“PRIME” is the bi-annual bulletin of the institute. PRIME No.27 was published in March 2008 with the special themes “Article 9 in the Global Context” and Historic Adoption of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.”

■Minami wo Kangaeru
(Thinking of the South) series A series of readings for students published annually. Minami wo Kangaeru No. 10 was published in March 2008 on the special theme “Life and Okinawa.”

■PRIME DIRECTORS
1989-1992 Toshiyuki Toyoda
1992-1993 Yoshikazu Sakamoto
1993-1995 Motofumi Asai
1995-1998 Kinhide Mushanokouji
1998-2002 Makoto Katsumata
2002-2004 Takao Takahara
2004-2009 Makoto Katsumata
2009-2012 Shigeki Takeo

2012- Makoto Katsumata

PRIME
International Peace Research Institute
Meiji Gakuin University

Phone: ＋81-3-5421-5652/5654
FAX:＋81-3-5421-5653
Email: prime@prime.meijigakuin.ac.jp
www.meijigakuin.ac.jp/~prime/
1-2-37 Shirokanedai, Minato-ku, Tokyo
108-8636 Japan