Editor: How long have you been working with Images of Peace?

Megumi: Images of Peace will officially launch later this year but the idea for it germinated in 2005.  I had just completed a short film called Peace Begins with Me and You, when I realized that from there on out I would be collecting stories or “images” of peace.  I believe people are working for peace in both small and big ways every day.  This is what I would like to document through Images of Peace.

Editor: When did you first become interested in peace-making projects?

Megumi: I was senior at New York University when September 11th happened.  Though I was not in New York City at the time, it deeply affected me.  I had previously considered a career as a music video director but after 9-11, I felt I had to do all that was in my power to prevent something like that from ever happening again.  However, it was not until I got involved in the anti-Iraq war movement in 2003 that I found my calling to use media as a tool for peace.  Now, I am about two months away from finishing a masters in peace and conflict studies on the Rotary World Peace Fellowship.

Editor: What has been the most valuable thing you have learnt on your MA course/Rotary World Peace Fellowship?

Megumi: I decided to go back to school because I wanted to better understand what causes violence and conflict and the challenges of peace.  I believe that because of my studies I am better equipped to make films that will have a greater impact.  The Rotary World Peace Fellowship has been funding my studies for the past year and half.  It has been an incredible opportunity and because of it I have traveled and made films in Germany, Cambodia and Hiroshima.  Last June, at the Rotary World Peace Symposium, I networked with Peace Fellows from around the world.  It felt like the real beginnings of the next generation of peacemakers.

Editor: What do you hope to gain from attending the Article 9 conference in Japan?

Megumi: I am very excited about this conference.  There will be many wonderful peacemakers in attendance such as Nobel Peace Laureate Mairead Corrigan Maguire.  As I am also making a short documentary on Article 9, I plan on interviewing the conference participants and capturing some great footage of civil society groups showing their support for Article 9.  I know for sure that I will leave the conference inspired.

Editor: If constitutions around the world did adopt a similar article to that of the article 9, what kind of world do you think we would then be living in?

Megumi: In the same way the US was able to constitutionally abolish slavery, the world too can abolish war.  However, if tomorrow the governments of the world adopted Article 9 into their own constitutions, we would not have peace.  No government should impose this upon their people, the people must desire it first.  Rather through grassroots activities, civil society must inspire their government to constitutionalize an article 9-like amendment.  It is when the people and their governments work together, that we will have peace.

Editor: Do you think it is possible to have a peaceful world without war?

Megumi: With out war?  Yes. With out conflict? No.  Conflict in itself is not bad, it can actually lead to growth and positive change .  However, we must at all cost reduce violent conflict.  Today, I believe people are becoming more adept at dealing with conflict in nonviolent ways.  We have more tools at our disposal than ever before.  I believe there is also a global shift in consciousness that is taking place  where people will chose to support structures of peace over structures of violence.  Are we there yet? No, but we are definitely on our way.

Editor: What inspires you the most?

Megumi: Peace:  Whenever people gather together in the name of peace I am inspired.  The first anti-Iraq war protest I participated in was on February 15th, 2003.  This was the Day the World Said No to War.  Even in 20 F degree weather,  there were half a million people on the streets of New York standing for what they believed in.  It was among these people that I began to ask myself: What more can I do ?

The campaign to establish a US Department of Peace and Nonviolence and all the activists who work on it also inspire me daily.  US Congressmen Dennis Kucinich inspires me.

Filmmakers:  I have to say that more than any big name director, the filmmakers that I have worked with and under have be an inspiration to me.  I have learnt so much about filmmaking through them and as result they have influenced my work..

Editor: Why did you join i-genius? And what do you hope to gain from the i-genius network?

Megumi: A friend introduced me to i-genius and I thought the idea of combining social networking with social entrepreneurship was brilliant.  Through i-genius, I hope to meet with social entrepreneurs from around the world and document their valiant work through Images of Peace.

Editor: Do you think social entrepreneurship is as big and active in Japan as it is in America or the UK? If not, why do you think that is? And how would you change that?

Megumi: Honestly, I think Japan is behind the US and the UK in regards to social entrepreneurship.  It’s not  that it’s not happening here but perhaps there is less media coverage about it?  I guess it would be mine and other independent filmmakers’ job to get the word about what is going on here.

Editor: If you could paint the world in three colours, what would they be and why?

Megumi: Blue, green and yellow. Blue for peace. Green for the environment. And yellow for the sun. Nothing makes me happier than a sunny day.

Editor: Thank You Megumi!