Draft:Yosuke Nagai

P202411291607 202411291607 Yosuke Nagai

Yōsuke Nagai
Citizenship	Japanese
Education	Master's degree in Conflict Studies from the London School of Economics and Political Science Doctorate in Social Science from the Graduate School of Social Sciences at Waseda University
Known for	Founder and Executive Director of Accept International and Global Taskforce for Youth Combatants
Awards	Human Power Grand Prize, Minister of Foreign Affairs Encouragement Award, Asako Ono Memorial Award Special Prize, King Hamad Award for Peace from the King of Bahrain, Yasuhiro Nakasone Award
Website	https://accept-int.org/en/ https://gt4y.org/

Yosuke Nagai (born in 1991) is a Japanese peacebuilder and humanitarian leader, renowned for his extensive work in conflict resolution and rehabilitation of youth associated with non-state armed groups (YANSAG). He is the founder and Executive Director of Accept International, a Japan-based international NGO that focuses on rehabilitating and reintegrating individuals associated with armed groups, including those identified as part of terrorist organizations, into society.

As the Executive Director of Accept International, Nagai dedicates his career to resolving conflicts and terrorism, primarily in conflict zones such as Somalia, Yemen, Palestine, Kenya, Indonesia, and Colombia. Beyond implementing deradicalization and social reintegration programs, Nagai also plays a pivotal role in policy development and review in collaboration with UN agencies and local governments. Additionally, he leads efforts in developing new international norms, driving critical global discussions, and building momentum for establishing these norms, engaging stakeholders worldwide, including YANSAG themselves.

Nagai also plays a crucial role in the international community as a mentor on violent extremism for the United Nations and participates in various expert conferences and global working groups. Further enhancing his contributions to peacebuilding and youth empowerment, he serves as a visiting fellow at the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, and at Pembroke College, University of Oxford. He is also a facilitator for the Centre of Competence on Humanitarian Negotiation (CCHN)’s “Frontline Negotiation” program.

Accept International

Accept International, is a Japan-based international NGO, founded by Nagai in 2011. It originated as the 'Japan-Somalia Youth Organization,' a student NGO established by Nagai himself and a Somali student at Waseda University to address issues in conflict-ridden Somalia. The organization was later formally established as the nonprofit Accept International in April 2017.

Dedicated to breaking the chain of violence, Accept International rehabilitates and reintegrates youth associated with non-state armed groups, including those labeled as terrorist organizations, into society as pivotal peace agents.

Accept International's operations extend from domestic initiatives in Japan, providing support systems and social safety nets for juvenile delinquents and foreign residents, to international efforts in global conflict zones such as Somalia, Yemen, Palestine, Kenya, Indonesia, and Colombia. At the international level, the organization conducts radicalization prevention projects in regions and with individuals at high risk of radicalization, as well as deradicalization and reintegration projects for those already radicalized in conflict zones.

Alongside its direct field activities, Accept International actively works to establish international norms and provides a platform for global discussions on critical but often overlooked issues. The organization focuses on protecting and empowering young individuals involved with non-state armed groups, enabling their reintegration into society as agents of peace.

Global Taskforce for Youth Combatants

In late September 2024, Accept International, under the leadership of Nagai, launched a new initiative called the Global Taskforce for Youth Combatants (GTY). This taskforce is dedicated to raising awareness and facilitating discussions concerning Youth Associated with Non-State Armed Groups (YANSAG).

While GTY seeks to actively consider the roles and potential of these youths, it advocates for justice through appropriate prosecution and reparations, rather than offering blanket absolution for all young individuals involved in terrorism or armed conflict. It is committed to recognizing the complex roles and potential of these youths while adhering to international laws, including international humanitarian law.

Comprised of former members of terrorist and non-state armed groups, as well as peacebuilding experts, conflict resolution specialists, and victims of terrorism or conflict, GTY aims to break the cycles of hatred and promote sustainable peace. The initiative serves as a platform to propel global discussions and build momentum toward these objectives.

Publications

• Nagai, Y., 2016. We Talk About Dreams with Somali Gang Members: The Challenges in Creating a Future Without Terrorism. Tokyo: Eiji Publishing

• Nagai, Y., 2017. I'm 13 and My Job is Suicide Bombing: What We Need to End Terrorism and War. Tokyo: Goudou Publishing

• Nagai, Y. and Maeda, K., 2021. Practice-Based Evidence and Beyond: A Case of Violent Extremist Offender Correction in a Conflict Zone. International Corrections and Prisons Association (ICPA), [online]

• Nagai, Y., 2021. Reintegration of Al-Shabaab’s Defectors in Somalia: An Examination of Conditions for Successful Reintegration. Peace and Conflict Studies: Vol. 27 : No. 3 , Article 5, [online]

• Nagai, Y., 2021. The Disease of Empathy: Confronting Excessive Conformity Pressure. Tokyo: Kanki Publishing

• Nagai, Y., 2023. Living and Working in Conflict Zones. Tokyo: Shogakukan

• Harper, E. and Nagai, Y., 2023. Youths Associated with Non-State Armed Groups: A New Perspective to Youths in Armed Conflicts with Non-State Armed Groups. Geneva: Geneva Academy. [online]
• Harper, E. and Nagai, Y., 2024. Unpacking the Climate Migration Extremism Nexus: Mapping the Coping Strategies of Kenyan Pastoralists. Geneva: Geneva Academy. [online]

Recognition

• In 2013, Accept International secured first place with 956 votes in the 'Student Challenge for Change: A Project for Good by Students!' organized by American Express Japan

• In 2014, the organization received the 'Humanity Prize' and the 'Incentive Award of the Minister of Foreign Affairs' at the '28th Annual Ten Outstanding Young Persons' event, as well as the Grand Prize in the 'University Student of the Year 2014' competition

• In 2015, Yosuke Nagai was honored with the Special Prize at the 'Waseda University Ono Azusa Memorial Prize' and the 'Waseda University Alumni Association Prize'

• In 2016, Yosuke Nagai was nominated for Nikkei Business's '100 People Creating the Next Generation' list

• In 2018, Yosuke Nagai was nominated for Forbes Japan ‘30 UNDER 30’ list

• In 2020, Nagai received the Peace Award at the 'King Hamad Youth Empowerment Award to Achieve the SDGs,' jointly hosted by the King of Bahrain and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

• In 2020, our RPA model was adopted for the first time from Japan at the Paris Peace Forum 2020 (PPF2020) held in Paris, France

• In 2021, Obtained Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
• In 2021, Yosuke Nagai was featured in Newsweek's special issue, '30 Japanese People Contributing to the World
• In 2022, Nagai received the Yasuhiro Nakasone Award, by the Yasuhiro Nakasone Peace Institute

Public engagements and appearances

• In April 2024, Nagai served as the moderator for an official side event at the 2024 United Nations ECOSOC Youth Forum, titled "What Kind of Empowerment is Needed for Youth Associated with Non-State Armed Groups? Exploring Unseen Youths in WPS and YPS" [recording available online on Accept International Youtube channel]
• In September 2024, Nagai served as the lead moderator for a special event commemorating the International Day of Peace and the Summit of the Future, titled "Empowering Youth Associated with Non-State Armed Groups as Unseen Youth: Strategies for Realizing Their Potential through WPS and YPS Agenda Perspectives" [recording available online on Accept International Youtube channel]