Introduction
The Graduate Institute of Peace Studies (GIP) was established in 1984 with the aim of training potential world leaders
who possess a vision of a new global civil society and are committed to the promotion of peace and human welfare. The
GIP is determined to establish a new global society that will be spiritually, beautiful, materially affluent, and
humanly rewarding. In recognition of the GIP's contribution to international peace promotion, the GIP was awarded the
1993 UNESCO Prize for Peace Education. Envisioned in the founding goal of the Graduate Institute of Peace Studies is the
establishment of a just, peaceful, secure, and affluent human society for the 21st century. The academic program is
designed to meet future leadership demands by training students to be well-rounded leaders of the future with a focus on
the following:
Understanding Human Nature and Societies
Modern civilization has indeed come a long way in establishing material affluence through unprecedented scientific and
technological advancement. Despite this, problems of human nature and alienation remain. To solve these problems, both a
new paradigm of societal structure and a restructuring of subjects, based on the comprehensive understanding of humans
and societies, are needed. To this end, the GIP studies and researches intensively cultures, civilization and human
nature.
Building the Power of intergrated Thinking
All global problems including conflicts, human rights and environmental protection are very much interwoven making it
impossible to understand or analyze them based on any single discipline and calling for an integrated thinking. Thus the
GIP searches for new methods and concepts for learning, based on a comprehensive understanding of different
civilizations and through interdisciplinary studies.
Pursuit of Practical Methods to Construct a New World Order
While globalization has encouraged an increase in mutual cooperation and exchanges, economic competition, political
hegemony and violence in the name of religion still play their part in triggering tensions and conflicts. As a result,
the making of a new world order adapted to the global village is still a pressing task. The GIP, therefore, pursues
practical methods to build a peaceful future society which encourages trust and cooperation.
Nurturing Peace-oriented Human Nature
In order to fully understand mankind and the diverse cultures, one needs to be able to identify with oneself and
ultimately to pursue a state of self-realization. Individual maturity is an important element in creating trust and
order for peaceful coexistence. To this end, the GIP helps create a pece-oriented human nature
that is fundamental to constructing a peaceful cooperative society.