[Seminar] Policing in peace operations and the significance of human capital in developing countries’ economy (27th Nov 2012)

On 27th November 2012, Yuhi Kawase made a presentation on policing in the context of peace operations on the basis of the chapter 17 of the “Understanding Peacekeeping” written by Alex J. Bellamy and Paul D. Williams. He spared most of his time for providing the historical overview of policing in peace operations. After his presentation, students discussed and shared their views and understandings on what sort of challenges policing in peace operations confronts.
In the latter half of our class, Yui Narikawa, Yasuki Uchiyama, and Moe Kurisu, who belong to study group of the development economics, made presentations on the significance of human capital in developing countries’ economy on the basis of the “Economic Development” written by Michael P. Todaro and Stephen Smith. They specially focused on how health affects development, economic analysis of child labour, and social costs and benefits of education in developing countries. In the class, professor Hasegawa helped us grasping the ideas and terminologies frequently used in economics. (Jun Sune Misu)

2012-11-27
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[Seminar] Learning about the Concept of Justice in the Pre-Autumn-Camp (16th Nov 2012)

 On 16th November 2012, before the autumn-camp of the Hasegawa seminar class, Professor Hasegawa and four students spent a day and they learned on Justice that Professor Michael J. Sandel analyzes in his lectures at Harvard University. The students made their presentations of the four chapters.
 First, Ms. Misa Komine gave an example of conscription system and surrogate birth based on her reading of the chapter 4. Next presenter, Mr. Yasuki Uchiyama, explained John Rawl’s philosophy, “A Theory of Justice”, contained in the chapter 6. The third presentation was made by Mr. Keiki Takemasa, and he summarized the issues of affirmative actions in the chapter 7. Finally, Ms. Yui Narikawa mentioned the dilemma of loyalty in the chapter 9.
 The presentations by four students followed viewing of the video recordings of the actual lectures delivered by Professor Sandel. These video recordings enable the students to enhance their understandings of various issues pertaining the concept of justice.
(Misa Komine)

2012-11-16
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[Seminar] Carefully reading “Protection of Civilians” and the lecture about the Conflict and Development in Afghanistan by Mr. Hanazato (13th Nov 2012)

 On November 13th 2012, during the 4th period class, the presentation on the chapter 15 of the book, “Understanding Peacekeeping” was given by Peace Building Group. They explained what “protection of civilian” (POC) is. After their presentation, we discussed whether the Japan Self-Defense Forces should protect civilians during peace keeping operations. During the 5th period, we welcomed Mr. Hanazato Nobuhiko, the Director of the JICA Tokyo International Center and he delivered us the lecture entitled “Conflict and Development -through experience in Afghanistan-“. (Yuna Kitamura)

2012-11-13
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[Seminar] Privatization in peace operations and “free will” by Kant philosophy (30 Oct 2012)

  On 30th of October 2012, during the 4th period, the presentation on the chapter 13 of the “Understanding Peacekeeping” was given by Economic Development Group.
  First, Eri Iijima explained the concept of regionalization. Secondly, Sune Jun Misu referred advantages and disadvantages about regionalization. Advantages of regionalization primarily are geographical proximity, long-term activities, and likelihood of its intervention even when the UN had decided not to intervene. Disadvantages of regionalization, on the other hand, are that they are likely to seek profit, lack of funding and that there are certain cases where such regional organization is nonexistent. After that, Mai Nakasendo explained regional peace keeping in practice by presenting example from the Islands of Solomon and Liberia.
  During the 5th period, Justice Group presented the philosophy advocated by Michel Sandel. Chapter 5 focuses on Immanuel Kant. Moe Kurisu introduced the perspective of Kant which justice is defined by the nature of motivation for an action.Misa Komine explained what the best principle is. Then, seminar members watched lecture by Sandel on DVD.
  At last, seminar members parted into 3 groups, utilitarian, libertarian, and faction Kanto, and exchanged their opinions on Japan’s pension system. (Mai Kato)

2012-10-30
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[Seminar] The Peace Support Operations under the Basic Principles of UNPKO and the Agricultural Transformation in Economic Development (23rd Oct 2012)

 On 23rd October 2012, during the 4th period class, Daiki Kawabe, Yuko Honda and Mai Kato made presentations on peace support operations on the basis of the Chapter 9 of the “Understanding Peacekeeping”. They mentioned that, according to the British peacekeeping doctrine, peace support operations consist of military elements and diplomatic and humanitarian agencies. In addition, they pointed out that peace support operations are deployed under the basic principles of United Nations Peacekeeping: (1) consent of the concerning parties, (2) impartiality and (3) non-use of force except in self-defense and defense of the mandate. Especially, they emphasized the difference between impartiality (“treating everyone according to the same principles”) and neutrality (“opting not to take a position”).
In the 5th period, Sune Jun Misu, Hayato Takeuchi, Mai Nakasendo, Aimi Ezawa and Minshik Kim made presentations on agricultural transformation and rural development on the basis of the “Economic Development” written by Todaro and Smith. First, they introduced Authors’ questions that even petty farmers should be integrated into the processes of development if rural development directly affects the process of poverty reduction. Moreover, they also presented their analysis on the situations of farm management in Latin America, Asia and Africa. Finally, they suggested it is the very ideal form of rural development to improve long tillable systems and social welfare for labors.
(Shogo Yoshida)

2012-10-23
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[Seminar] Transitional Administration and the case study of Timor-Leste (16th Oct 2012)

  During 4th period on October 16th of 2012, Risa Kato, Yuui Sasaki, and Sayaka Yatabe, who are members of the Peace Building Group, made a presentation on the theme of why the rule of law was not implemented in Timor-Leste. They focused on the importance of rule of law and explained the problem of ruling Timor-Leste.
  In 5th period, Aimi Ezawa, Yasuki Uchiyama, Minshik Kim, and Hayato Takeuchi, who are members of the Economic Development Group, made a presentation on transitional administration of understanding peacekeeping. They pointed out the importance of cooperation between local people and outside actors. After the presentation, Professor Hasegawa addressed his students on the issue concerning transitional administration in detail based on his field experience. We learned that it is essential for the United Nations to build a liberal-democratic state that reflects the opinions of the local people.
(Eri Iijima)

2012-10-16
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[Seminar] Carefully read “Assisting Transition” and the lecture about “Refugees” by the Human Rights group (9th Oct 2012)

On 9th October 2012, in the 4th period, we firstly discussed the theme about the joint session of study tour which will be held on 21th October 2012. After this discussion, Kohei Yokota, Minako Ishikawa and Sayaka Yatabe who are members of the Peace Building Group made a presentation about Chapter 10: Assisting Transition. After this presentation, the students discussed in four groups “Was it appropriate that UNTAC withdrew from Cambodia after the election?”
In the 5th period, Yuka Narikawa, Yuko Honda, Mai Uchida and Yuhi Kawase who are members of the Human Rights Group made a presentation about Refugees. The students then discussed in four groups “Whether Japan should accept the refugees or not”. (Aimi Ezawa)

2012-10-09
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[Seminar] Hasegawa Seminar’s first class of the Fall semester was held (18th Sep 2012)

 Hasegawa Seminar’s first class of the Fall semester was held on September 18th of 2012.In 4th period, the new secretaries gave the orientation about the second semester. Yasuki Uchiyama explained the lesson plan. After him, Mai Uchida explained the research skill improvement program. Then, Minako Ishikawa gave information on the new procedure for writing the minutes of the proceedings.
During 5th period, the research skill improvement program was held. Shogo Yoshida explained the worksheet that was handed out beforehand and how to write a thesis. After talking about what they filled out on the worksheets, seminar members discussed their awareness of issues for each group.
(Mai Kato)

2012-09-18
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[Myanmar] IOM Yangon office Mr. Greg Irving (23rd Aug 2012)

On 23rd Aug, Myanmar study tour group and Professor Hasegawa visited IOM Yangon office and benefitted from a briefing given by Mr. Greg Irving. He explained the history of IOM involvement in Myanmar and their activities relating to migration health, emergency/recovery responses and migrant protection especially for trafficked persons.
According to him, IOM was assisting government to manage migration and also working closely with UNHCR and WHO. Nowadays a growing number of people migrate to Thailand legally or illegally. If adequately managed and the health of migrants protected, migration is not a problem, but rather a solution to the problem, if adequately managed and the health of migrants protected. In addition, Mr. Greg Irving said that migrants are travelling healthy. Migrants have very diverse groups. IOM needs to identify and address the specific vulnerabilities of each migrant. (Jieun Park)

2012-09-11
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[Myanmar] UNHCR Myanmar office Ms. Rosalie Fournier (23rd Aug 2012)

On 23rd August, the Myanmar study tour group and Professor Hasegawa visited UNHCR Myanmar office. After the introducing UNHCR, Ms Rosalie Fournier, Associate Protection Offficer, pointed out the definitions of “a refugee,” “an internally displaced person” and “a stateless person”. Then, she explained UNHCR activities in Myanmar. In Myanmar there are 11 UNHCR offices and its partners are not only government but also other UN agencies, NGOs and civil society organizations. Their activities are divided 3 areas; Rakhine State, South East area and Kachine State. Especially in South East area and Kachine State where many landmines exist, UNHCR conducts land mine risk education and traning. Moreover UNHCR responds to emergency situations, for example Cyclone and severe flooding. (Mai Nakasendo)

2012-09-11
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[Myanmar] JICA Planning Assistance in Agriculture and Education (21st Aug 2012)

On 21 August 2012, Professor Hasegawa, 2 graduate students, and 9 undergraduate students received a briefing at JICA Myanmar Office in Yangon. Messrs Sato and Danjyo kindly briefed us about JICA’s plan to provide assistance in education and agriculture, and to minority ethnic groups in Myanmar. Mr. Sato explained the status of technical assistance, grant aid and loans provided by Japan. He also mentioned that Japan would receive trainees in the fields of sports, health, farming, and IT. Mr. Danjyo told us about the need to change child education system. It is important for Myanmar to have an ownership towards the child-centered education. It is difficult and important to change the mentality of children in education. Finally, Mr. Sato mentioned the technical and financial assistance provided for removing landmines in ethnic minority states such as Kachin State. (Eri Iijima)

2012-09-08
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[India/Bangladesh] Meeting with Md. Abdur and Md. Samiul (6th Sep 2012)

On 6th September 2012, the India and Bangladesh study tour group met with Md. Abdur Rahim, assistant professor, and Md. Samiul Islam, lecturer of Asia Pacific University.
Firstly, Md. Adbur talked about a department of law. In Bangladesh, the President is a leader and the deputy commissioner is a leader of state. Supreme court is in Dhaka. There are two types of law: one is a civil law and another is a criminal law.
Secondly, Md. Samiul mentioned human rights. In Bangladesh, there are public human rights lawyers and they plead poor people. In addition, Bangladesh promotes justice for women. Finally, we had a question-and-answer period and then some of students asked questions to Md. Adbur and Md. Samiul. (Yuko Honda)

2012-09-06
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[India/Bangladesh] Briefing by UNFPA (6th Sep 2012)

 On 6th September 2012, the India and Bangladesh study tour group visited JPMO (Joint Programme Monitoring Office) of UNFPA in Dhaka. The presentation of UNFPA was delivered by two officers; Ms. Marianne Berner, the International Programme Manager, and Md, Shahidul Haque Khan, the Communication Officer. First, Ms, Marianne Berner gave a lecture to the students about the activities and outcomes of GOB joint programme to address Violence Against Women (VAW). Second, Md, Shahidul Haque Khan explained the 16 days of activism against gender violence campaign which will be held from 25th November to 10th December 2012. Finally, after the presentation, the study group members had lunch with some officers of UNFPA and had a pleasant time. (Aimi Ezawa)

2012-09-06
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[India/Bangladesh] Briefing by BRAC University (5th Sep 2012)

 On 5th September, the India and Bangladesh study tour group visited BRAC University in Bangladesh. First, the University staffs took the students to the library and explained about it. The library owns a collection of more than 35,000 volumes, and students can search various books by the Internet which they want to read. Then the Hasegawa study tour group had a meeting with 4 students of BRAC University. We had a wonderful conversation and shared the information of each other. It was a short time, but we formed a strong friendship. (Yui Narikawa)

2012-09-05
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[India/Bangladesh] Briefing by BRAC (5th Sep 2012)

On 5th September 2012, the India and Bangladeshstudy tour group visited BRAC Dhaka Office in Bangladesh and Md Fariduzzaman Rana,Sr. Manager Visitors Communications, gave us a lecture. First, he talked about the history of BRAC. Bangladesh became independent in 1971. BRAC was established in 1972. Second, he explained Microfinance programme of BRAC to us. The Microfinance Programme started in 1974 and it raised the capacity of women empowerment. Third, he told us that education programme started in 1985 and BRAC has focused on human resources development and the children who had dropped out of school. Finally he answered the questions we asked. (Moe Kurisu)

2012-09-05
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[India/Bangladesh] Briefing by JICA Dhaka Office (5th September 2012)

 On 5th September 2012, the India and Bangladesh study group visited JICA Dhaka office in Bangladesh and Mr. Imai, the vice-chief in JICA Dhaka office, gave us a presentation following four points. At the beginning of the presentation, he briefly gave us the information of Bangladesh such as population, religion and so on. Secondly, he mentioned the situation of economy of Bangladesh. He said the Bangladeshi government aim to enter the middle class countries until 2021. Then he explained the situation of investment from Japan and also the attractive points of it. Finally, he introduced the results and principle of Japan’s ODA and also JICA’s projects such as infrastructure in India. (Aimi Ezawa)

2012-09-05
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[India/Bangladesh] UNICEF briefing (4th Sep 2012)

On 4th September 2012, the India and Bangladesh study tour group visited UNICEF Dhaka office in Bangladesh. First, Ms. Iftikhar Ahmed ChowDhury, Communication Officer, gave us a lecture on the outline of UNICEF’s activities in Bangladesh and she explained main issues which are concerned with education, water sanitation, child protection, life skill training and health. Second, Ms.Shamima Siddky, Education Specialist at Education Section, delivered a presentation focused on Non-Formal Education. She mainly mentioned a structure of education in Bangladesh and consciousness of people for education and child labor. Especially, she emphasized the educational difference between urban and rural area. At the end of her presentation, We watched a short film focused on children’s voice.
After the briefing, we visited MAWTS. MAWTS is working with UNICEF and there, children between the ages of 13 and 17 are learning repairing mobiles, tailoring, motorcycle repairs and roof tiling. Many on them are coming from slum areas in Dhaka. We inspected the class rooms, talked and took pictures with students. It was very impressive that they have high motivations for acquiring skills through going to the schools. It was a wonderful day that we could interact with children in Bangladesh.
(Yuuka Hirakawa)

2012-09-04
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[Myanmar] Briefing by UNDP Myanmar (23 Aug 2012)

On August 24, 2012, our Myanmar team received an informative briefing from the officers at UNDP office in Yangon.
UNDP has been working in Myanmar since 1994 and providing assistance directly to people without going through the government. Their programme will now consist of projects in three areas. The first is the integrated community development programme (ICDP), with focus on the social rehabilitation, micro-finance, community development and HIV/AIDs. Especially, the social rehabilitation and micro-finance projects are significant for their cooperation with UNDCL. The second programme addresses grwoing environmental problems in Myanmar. Regarding the climate change. UNDP is trying to build a link with communities from the great damage of the huge cyclone in 2008 brought and is providing technical assistance to them because there is no proper assessment made in Myanmar. Secondary, UNDP is addressing the energy problem considering the environmental and development implications. Also they aim to develop an environmental assessment methodology. Lastly, UNDP is supporting capacity building for democratic governance with respect to the government of Myanmar. Thanks to the comprehensive and informative lecture, we learned that UNDP is playing an important role in helping Myanmar in its rehabilitation and development. (Yuka Narikawa)

2012-09-04
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[India/Bangladesh] Briefing by UNDP (3rd September 2012)

 On 3rd September 2012, the India and Bangladesh study tour group visited UNDP Dhaka office in Bangladesh and had an informative presentation on governance by Ms. Rae Ann Peart, Programme Analyst, and Mr. Siamul Huq Rabbany, Programme Officer. At the beginning of the presentation, they explained current affairs and challenges in Bangladesh. Although Bangladesh has made significant progress on human development indications and towards the achievement of MDG targets, profound issues still remain in the democratic governance field like the construction of democracy. Then, they informed three governance programmes and their achievements: political governance, public administration and justice and human rights. (Yui Narikawa)

2012-09-03
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