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Draft:Accept International

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Accept International is a nonprofit, an international non-governmental organization tackling armed conflict with its headquarters in Japan. The stated purpose of the organization is “Empowering everyone as agents of peace, together we will break the chains of violence”.[1].  It promotes rehabilitation and reintegration of youth, such as members of non-state armed groups, including violent extremists, detainees, and other marginalized youth, by recognizing them as potential agents of peace rather than just as threats[2][3]. It also runs a surrender hotline that offers a safe refuge for young individuals looking to break free from violent extremist organizations[4], aiming to break the cycle of violence and increase the number of agents of peace[2]. Additionally, they engage those who surrender in activities related to humanitarian aid, contributing to community reconciliation. Their project sites primarily include conflict zones such as Somalia, Yemen, and Palestine, as well as conflict-affected areas of Kenya, Indonesia, Colombia, and Japan[5] [3]. It holds a Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)[6].

Originally, it was founded as a student organization “Japan Somalia Youth Organization” in 2011 by Yosuke Nagai at Waseda University to address issues in conflict-ridden Somalia[7]. In 2017, the name was changed to “Accept International” with the idea of ‘accepting rather than excluding’ as an official nonprofit[2], aiming to break the cycle of hatred globally and work towards permanent conflict resolution and peacebuilding.

Accept International established an original human rights-based framework, the “Re-define, Prepare, Action” (RPA) model[8]. The RPA model was developed in response to the data that many combatants join organizations not because of extreme ideologies, but due to security instability, social alienation, lack of employment opportunities, and rights violations. It focuses on the empowerment of individuals and their relationship with their community as an alternative to the overly punitive or correctional approaches in extremism-related global governance. This model aims to effectively address their disengagement and reintegration, and it is recognized as a practical approach for conflict resolution and peacebuilding, applicable to the reintegration process of former combatants and violent extremists worldwide. It operates on the belief that everyone has a right to re-establish themselves in society despite their past[8]. The RPA model was selected as one of the 100 solutions for peace at the Paris Peace Forum 2020 and featured by One Young World[8][9][10].

Based on the knowledge and experience gained from working on the frontlines, Accept International has also set a new goal to raise the issue of the rights of young individuals who have been or are associated with non-state armed groups, as well as the need for their empowerment as peacebuilders within the international community. The organization aims to drive critical global discussions and build momentum toward establishing norms regarding their rights and empowerment. It seeks to engage stakeholders worldwide, especially Youth Associated with Non-State Armed Groups (YANSAG), as key actors in peacebuilding, utilizing their unique experiences as conflict parties to become persuasive and vital peacebuilders[11]. In 2024, the organization launched a new initiative called the Global Taskforce for Youth Combatants (GTY), which has been involved with members from various global contexts, including former combatants, conflict victims, peacebuilding experts, and a human rights lawyer[12][13][14]

Awards and Nominations

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  • 2014 The 28th JCI JAPAN TOYP (The Outstanding Young Persons)[15]
  • 2014 Encouragement Award from the Minister of Foreign Affairs[16]
  • 2018 Selected in Forbes Japan “30 UNDER 30 JAPAN 2018”[17]
  • 2020 Peace and Security Category at the Paris Peace Forum 2020[9]
  • 2020 Received Peace Award at “King Hamad Youth Empowerment Award to Achieve the SDGs” hosted by UNDP[18]
  • 2020 The 55th Social Contribution Awards (The Nippon Foundation Prize)[19]
  • 2022 Nakasone Peace Institute Encouragement Awards[20]
  • 2023 The 2nd SDGs Japan Scholarship Iwasa Award[21]
  • 2025 The 28th Chikyu Rinri Suishin Awards[22]

References

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  1. ^ "Purpose and Values". Accept International. 20 April 2019. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "The Story of NPO Accept International, Strengthening its Organizational Base". Panasonic Group. Retrieved 24 March 2025.
  3. ^ a b "H.E. Ambassador OKANIWA Signs Grant Contract with Japanese NGO, ACCEPT INTERNATIONAL". Embassy of Japan in Kenya. Retrieved 1 March 2023.
  4. ^ Miyoshi, Shogo. "FEATURE: Japanese man supports terrorist deradicalization through nonprofit. Shogo Miyoshi, Kyodo News". Kyodo News. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  5. ^ "Rethinking Non-State Armed Groups: Youth, Agency, and Pathways to Sustainable Peace by Yosuke Nagai". The Changing Character of War Centre. 27 November 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  6. ^ "United Nations Civil Society Participation: Accept International". Retrieved 24 March 2025.
  7. ^ "The true story of a "crazy journey" A Waseda student talks about dreams with Somali gangs (14 December 2016)". Waseda Weekly. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  8. ^ a b c "Accept International: offering a new model for reintegrating violent extremists". Global South Development Magazine. 6 November 2020. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  9. ^ a b "Re-define, prapare, action model". Paris Peace Forum. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  10. ^ "Accept International — One Young World". One Young World. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  11. ^ Harper, E., E.; Nagai, Y. (2023). "Youths Associated with Non-State Armed Groups: A New Perspective to Youths in Armed Conflicts with Non-State Armed Groups" (PDF). Geneva: Geneva Academy.
  12. ^ "Global Taskforce for Youth Combatants". ReliefWeb. 31 October 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  13. ^ "Breaking the Cycle of Hatred: New Global Taskforce to Advocate Globally for the Rights and Empowerment of Youth Involved in Terrorism or Armed Conflicts". ReliefWeb. Originally published 28 Oct 2024. Posted 31 Oct 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2025. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ "Global Taskforce for Youth Combatants（GTY）設立のお知らせ". Accept International. 25 September 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2025.
  15. ^ "Canpan Fields 第28回人間力大賞事業報告書 (in Japanese)". Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  16. ^ "Accept International 団体概要・沿革 (in Japanese)". 18 February 2019. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  17. ^ "Forbes Japan. ソマリアのギャングに学んだ「テロ撲滅」へのアプローチ #30UNDER30 (in Japanese)". Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  18. ^ "King Hamad Youth Empowerment Award to Achieve the SDGs: Award Winners". Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  19. ^ "2025 Foundation for Social Contribution. 第55回 社会貢献者表彰 受賞者一覧 (in Japanese)". Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  20. ^ "Nakasone Peace Institute. 中曽根康弘賞第18回受賞者 (in Japanese)". Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  21. ^ "The Asahi Shinbun SDGs Action. 【平和・人権の部】テロや紛争の平和的解決に挑む アクセプト・インターナショナル (in Japanese)". Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  22. ^ "Rinri Institute of Ethics.【速報】第28回地球倫理推進賞 受賞団体 決定 (in Japanese)". 一般社団法人倫理研究所 | 一般社団法人倫理研究所の公式ホームページです。倫理研究所は民間の社会教育団体として、様々な生涯学習活動を展開しています。. 6 January 2025. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
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References

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