The 2026 edition of BEYOND, an event bringing together social entrepreneurs, will take place at Kyoto Research Park on October 30 and 31. It was launched in 2018 by taliki, which supports social entrepreneurs, and since 2025 Kyoto City and Kyoto Research Park have joined as organizers. This is the 10th edition, with about 1,000 participants expected.
The theme is "connecting peace and business." Peace is understood not only as the absence of war but as a state in which people can live daily life free of discrimination and violence, and related talk sessions and workshops are planned. A total of 61 speakers, including social entrepreneurs and UN agency representatives, will take the stage — the largest lineup so far.
Hands-on programs have also been expanded. These include a role-play workshop in which participants take on roles such as technology developers and NGO staff to experience peacebuilding firsthand, and a play by a social entrepreneur working to pass on wartime experiences in Okinawa.
Key points
- The 10th edition, with 61 speakers — the largest scale so far
- A role-play workshop that simulates the field of peacebuilding
- A play by a social entrepreneur working to pass on wartime experiences in Okinawa
Why we recommend this event
Few venues look at peace from the viewpoint of business and social entrepreneurship. With NGO and UN representatives and entrepreneurs together in one place, it promises cross-sector encounters and learning.
The workshop where participants play roles to experience the field is also appealing, and could be a way to think about peacebuilding as something that concerns each of us.
Editor's comment
Putting "peace" at the center of a 10th-anniversary edition reflects the organizers' commitment. For anyone interested in international cooperation and social issues, it looks like a stimulating two days.
Details on how to participate and the program are on the official website. If it caught your interest, please check it out.