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John Guy Perrem, Muroran Institute of Technology, JapanAbstract
This presentation reports on a peace themed survey conducted with Japanese university students enrolled in a global issues module via English. The course integrates language learning with real-world concerns, reflecting the aims of Global Issues in Language Education (GILE). The survey explored student perspectives on both international and domestic peace, including their views on the current state of peace, their expectations for the future, and the actions they believe individuals and societies should take. While results indicate that students rarely discuss peace in daily life or educational settings, many expressed strong interest in contributing to peace through education, opportunities for expression, and meaningful connections with others. The findings suggest a disconnect between student interest and available platforms for engagement. Students appear motivated but underserved, pointing to a broader issue of structural shortcomings surrounding peace discourse in formal education. This presentation proposes the concept of platforming peace, the intentional creation of space for students to reflect on, discuss, and take action toward peace within language classrooms. Building on survey data and comparisons with national and international youth peace studies, the presentation offers concrete suggestions for designing participatory platforms for peace-related learning. These include student-led forums, integrated global issues modules, intercultural exchanges, and projects that center youth voice and perspective.
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