Oleander Initiative Highlights Global Peacebuilding Efforts in 2025

Lebanese Students at the Resilience, Rebuilding and Peace Program in Hiroshima

The Oleander Initiative has released its 2025 year-end update, outlining a series of international programs and outreach efforts focused on promoting peace, resilience, and cross-cultural understanding.

Now in its 28th year, the organization continues to engage peacebuilders through workshops, study tours, and educational initiatives centered in Hiroshima, Japan, a city globally recognized for its message of peace and post-conflict recovery.

International Programs and Participation

During 2025, the initiative conducted two major programs in Hiroshima, bringing together 21 participants from seven countries. Notably, the programs included participants from Russia for the first time, reflecting an expanding global reach.

One of the key initiatives, the Lebanon Resilience, Rebuilding and Peace Program, brought eight students and educators from Lebanon to Hiroshima in February. The program was designed to explore how Hiroshima rebuilt after devastation and how those lessons could inform recovery and resilience in other regions experiencing conflict.

Participants engaged with local institutions, including Jogakuin High School, and studied survivor testimonies such as that of hibakusha Sadae Kasaoka. Upon returning to Lebanon, participants conducted school-wide presentations and established initiatives such as a Hiroshima Origami Peace Club, extending the program’s impact within their communities.

Global Outreach and Educational Engagement

In April 2025, Oleander Initiative representatives conducted a speaking tour across the United Kingdom. The tour included engagements at institutions such as Essex University, London South Bank University, and Battersea Arts Center, reaching more than 500 students, educators, and NGO professionals.

The sessions focused on the intersection of peace culture, psychological resilience, and mental health recovery, particularly through narratives of Hiroshima survivors.

Additionally, the initiative’s work was featured on four television programs in Lebanon, further amplifying its outreach and transmitting Hiroshima’s peace message to a broader audience.

Rotary Study Tour and Continued Partnerships

In October 2025, the initiative hosted a study tour in Hiroshima for eleven members of Rotary International, including participants from multiple countries. The program emphasized themes such as resilience, optimism, and peacebuilding, encouraging participants to integrate these principles into their service initiatives.

Rotary International, with over 1.4 million members across more than 200 countries, remains a significant partner in advancing global peace and service-oriented programs.

Looking Ahead to 2026

The Oleander Initiative has announced plans to expand its programming in 2026, continuing its focus on equipping individuals and communities with tools for peacebuilding and recovery.

Support for upcoming initiatives is being sought through donations and partnerships, as the organization aims to extend its global impact in the coming year.

To learn more about the Oleander Initiative click here.