The Earth System Governance (ESG) Project endorsed the Network for Education and Research on Peace and Sustainability (NERPS) 2026 Conference, held on 4–7 March 2026 in Tokyo, Japan.
This endorsement built on the ESG Project’s productive collaboration with NERPS, which began in 2022, when the ESG Project started organizing panels at NERPS conferences.
The Network for Education and Research on Peace and Sustainability (NERPS), hosted by Hiroshima University and the United Nations University (UNU), jointly organized the 5th NERPS Conference from 4–7 March 2026 at the UNU Headquarters in Tokyo. The conference explored how technological innovations present opportunities for advancing peace and sustainability by supporting cultural exchange, improving the distribution of goods, and enhancing risk monitoring, among other applications. At the same time, discussions addressed how the misuse of these technologies may threaten international peace and security and exacerbate existing inequalities, potentially undermining progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Responding to the United Nations Secretary‑General’s call for strengthened digital cooperation—particularly at a time when multilateralism faces challenges from armed conflicts, climate change, and growing inequalities—the NERPS 2026 Conference highlighted the role of technologies in reinforcing multilateral approaches to peace and sustainability. The conference provided a platform for students, researchers, and practitioners to exchange ideas, present research, and develop partnerships for transdisciplinary research and collaborative action toward peaceful and sustainable futures. It featured research paper sessions, expert roundtables, innovative workshops, and an optional excursion.
More information can be found on the conference website: https://nerps.org/nerps-2026-japan/