Kerry: “It is a stark, harsh, compelling reminder not only of our obligation to end the threat of nuclear weapons, but to rededicate all our efforts to avoid war itself.”
In his speech at the University of Oxford, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and Former President Ramos-Horta of Timor-Leste points out some leaders are not free from the legacy of colonialism, the World War II and money politics.
In the 2 April 2016 issue of Asahi Shimbun, Professor Hasegawa suggested that a paradigm shift for Japan to adopt a new way to solve a new problem. Please click here for full text in English.
President of UN General Assembly Mogens LYKETOFT asks for Asian perspectives from China, Cambodia, India, Japan and the Republic of Korea. Please click here for the program and participants of the regional consultation meeting.
In his lecture at Yale University and in an interview with the International Peace Institute, Professor Daisaku Higashi elaborated on his views on peacebuilding. For his IPI interview article, please access here.
Mr. Anthony Duncker, Deputy Director of the Field Personnel Division of the United Nations explains how recruitment of qualified personnel is carried out for UN peacekeeping and special political missions.
At an international workshop held in Shinagawa City, Tokyo, Ambassador William Swing, IOM Director-General advised the Japanese workplace needs to attract more diverse and competent labor in order to compete effectively in global market. Please click here for his full speech.
Professor Hasegawa called upon Japan to continue pursuing “a honored place” in the international community pledged at the time of Japan`s entry to the United Nations in 1956. Please click here for TV program recording.
Miyabi Murata, Director-General, organized policy presentations at the UN University on the issues of and the policies for Nigeria for UN conferences to be held in New York in March.
Director-General William Swing of the International Organization for Migration calls for more humanitarian compassion in responding to the crisis situation.
Professor Shimotomai of Hosei University suggests the inclusion of Putin in the Ise Shima G7 Summit for him and other summit participants to find solutions to the Ukraine and Syria crises.
JICA Vice President Hiroshi Kato asserted that Japan maintained its “consistent” characteristics of its bilateral aid, with its emphasis on socioeconomic infrastructure and human resource developments aimed at poverty reduction, despite of repeated changes in the ODA Charter in 1992, 2003 and 2015.
At a panel discussion held in Oslo on transitional justice experience of Timor-Leste, former SRSG Hasegawa acknowledged successful peacebuilding of Timor-Leste and then pointed out the need for national leaders and people to change yet again their mind-set and mentality for nation building as its requirement differs from peacebuilding.
Former Minister and Prosecutor General of Timor-Leste Ana Pessoa Pinto asserted criminal prosecution should not be the sole focus of transitional justice. Justice has to promote, not disrupt unity. Please click here for her full statement and panel discussants’ views.
In cooperation with Bishop Gunnar Johan Stålsett and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Norwegian Peacebuilding Resource Centre (NOEF) held the European launch of the English version of the Chega! Report of the Timor-Leste Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation. Please click here for a summary record of the Oslao launch meeting.
UN Under-Secretary-General Atul Khare spoke at the Press Center and an international peace cooperation symposium organized by the Cabinet Office and expressed his appreciation of Japan`s support to UN peacekeeping and special political mission, which together with AU mission number as many as thirty five. Click here for full text of his speech.
Professor Hasegawa explained to the HPC program associates the purpose of UN peacebuilding and how UN integrated missions work on the ground to build sustainable peace and development.
Twenty seven UN staff and professionals from Japan and five other countries engaged in peace, humanitarian and development assistance enhanced their communication and leadership competencies in multidisciplinary peace operations.
On 9 January, the first meeting of the Earth Charter Committee of Japan was held under the chairmanship of Former Environment Minister Madame Wakako Hironaka. The Committee received a briefing about the outcome of COP21 held in Paris in 2015 by Ms. Masako Konishi, Conservation Officer, Climate Change Programme, World, WWF Japan. The annual board meeting was followed by an informal dinner.
JCK Youth Forum students met with Professor Hasegawa and Ms. Kumi Kim of the UN Association of Japan and discussed the program and logistical arrangements for the Fukuoka Youth Forum to be held in September 2016.