'In exercising the democratic right to vote, it is important that you respect each other's rights and diverse views. Peaceful elections are vital for democracy'. 

Kyoto University of the arts

Honourary award ceremony

Commemorative speech

by

Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão

“Peace and Culture: The Arts in the service of Peace”.

Kyoto University of the Arts

Tokyo, Japan

23 November 2021

         H.E. Yutaka Tokuyama, Chairman, Board of Directors,

         H.E. Takahiro Niwa, Vice-President of the University,

         H.E. Sukehiro Hasegawa, Distinguished Professor at Kyoto University,

         H.E. Yasushi Akashi, Former Under-SG and SRSG of the UN for Cambodia and Yugoslavia,

         Mr. Takehiro Kano, Deputy Assistant of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

         Mr. Tadamichi Yamamoto, Former SRSG for Afghanistan,

         Mr. Naoto Hisajuma, Director-General of the Secretariat of the International Peace Cooperation,

         Mr. Toshya Hoshino, Former Ambassador to the UN and Professor at Osaka University,

 Distinguished Ambassadors from ‘g7+’ countries,

Distinguished Deans of Faculties and Departments from Kyoto University of the Arts,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Students,

It is a great pleasure for me to be here at this University of the Arts to share a little of my vision on “Culture and Peace” with you, young artists.

By António Guterres

The climate crisis is a code red for humanity.