On December 5, 2020, GPAJ held a seminar with Mr. Kimihito Okubo, the Principal and Founder of One Young World Japan Committee (his bio included at the end of this document). The idea of One Young World (OYW) was raised at the World Economic Forum in 2009 and it was founded in 2010. OYW, particularly through its Summit [which is referred to as “Young Davos” and which is also facilitated by “counsellors” like renowned politicians, activists, chief executive officers etc.] aspires to develop global youth leadership for future through jointly addressing and solving global problems and issues.

Professor Takahiro SHINYO`s Graduate Course for UN and Foreign Affairs Kwansei Gakuin University will hold an open ZOOM seminar on Wednesday, 9 December 2020 15:10-16:40 Japan Time with Professor S. Hasegawa as a lecture. Please click here for details and contact Ms. Elizabeth Gamarra (egamarra15[@]yahoo.com) if you are interested in participating in the seminar.

Senior Afghan Government Official, Youssof Ghafoorzai, was joined by former UN Special Representative Tadamichi Yamamoto in examining the role of UN in Afghanistan. Ambassador Ghafoorzai also explained the significance of peace talks between the Government of Afghanistan and the Taliban group that has taken place in Doha, Qatar on Sept. 12. 2020.

Please click here for the program. If you are interested in joining, please contact Mr. Masakuni Tanimoto (tanimoto[@]tenaz.jp).

This online seminar will be joined by Lise Morjé Howard, President of ACUNS and Professor of Government at Georgetown University and Prof. Kate Gilmore, former UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights. If you are interested in this event, please find the program below and fill in the registration form here.

In Tokyo, Princess Akiko struck the peace bell at the ceremony held at Zojoji Temple. After the bell-beating ceremony, Sukehiro Hasegawa, chairman of the Japan Committee for International Peace Day, explained the purpose of the event. Then, Sen Genshitsu, president of the United Nations Association of Japan and the head of Urasenke, and Yoshiko Higashikuni, Chairman of the World Federation Culture and Education Promotion Council, gave a speech, and Yuriko Koike, the Governor of Tokyo Metropolitan Government, gave a congratulatory address. Actress Mikako Yoshida then read a message from Fabrizio Hochschild, Special Advisor to the Secretary-General for the 75th anniversary of the United Nations. Please clickhere. (Reporter: Yuuki Watanabe)

Akio Miyajima, Japanese Ambassador to Turkey explained Turkey as a “rising power” with “volatility” and “resilience” in the turbulent Middle East region and beyond from various aspects including its diplomacy, military, domestic affairs, and economy. He emphasized that Turkey, a nation of 83 million people with tremendous potential holds the key to regional stability and global peacebuilding as the influence and commitment of the United States wanes and declines.

Those who wish to participate, please pre-register at ”tanimoto[@]gpaj.org” by Monday, September 7. We’ll send you a return Zoom account.

Moderated by Ms. Arbenita SOPAJ of GPAJ, Ambassador Leon Malazogu based in Japan and his colleagues Ambassador Hajdin Abazi in Australia, Ambassador Qendrim Gashi in France and Ms. Merdiana Leci, Department for Bilateral Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spoke about the contemporary Kosovo. Please click here for the full report of the seminar.

The conversation topic will center on “Global Governance in the Post-Corona Era: The Role of the United Nations, the United States and East Asian Countries.” This seminar will be conducted in English. Please click here to learn more about the program details. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP with your name and updated email address to Ms. Elizabeth Gamarra via egamarra15[@]yahoo.com. You will receive the official Zoom link prior to the event.

Mr. Koji SAKANE, JICA Senior Director for Peacebuilding Office, Professor Takaaki MIZUNO and Professor Katsumi ISHIZUKA will make general comments while GPAJ Vice President Professor KUMAGAI, Ambassador Motoo NOGUCHI、Mr. Ken INOUE, Professor AI KIHARA-HUNT　and　Ms.　Arbenita　SOPAJ　will　analyze　reconciliation　and　transitional justice issues.

Ambassador MALAZOGU will also discuss the implication of the advisory opinion of 22 July 2010 of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) entitled “Accordance with international law of the unilateral declaration of independence in respect of Kosovo” and its relevant orders. For details, please click here.

Please click here for the recording of the lecture.