The inaugural session of the Heiwa Kochiku Kenkyu Kai (H3K – Peacebuilding Research Group) was held at Hosei University on April 20th. The group is led under the direction of Special Advisor to the President of Timor-Leste, Professor Sukehiro Hasegawa, and managed by students and professionals in and around the Tokyo area. Aiming to broaden their own understandings of peacebuilding and share their learning with the wider world, the group has decided to hold both study sessions led by students and seminars with prominent guest speakers. The first session held on 20 April was divided into two subjects. In the first, Professor Yasunobu Sato of Tokyo University’s Graduate School spoke on the issue of human security. Mr. Sato explained the multifaceted nature of the field, which encompasses a vast range of issues from protection from diseases to disasters. Mr. Shogo Yoshida, who serves as the group’s Secretary General, also spoke on the writings of scholars in this important field. In the second session, Mr. Hideki Hayashi of the Japan Peacekeeping Training&Research Center of the Joint Staff College, and Associate Professor Yuji Uesugi of Waseda University shared their perspectives on the protection of civilians within United Nations peacekeeping missions. Both sessions allowed for members to present questions and engage in discussion. (Jason Pratt)
[Kurosawa seminar] The Support to Mine Countermeasures in Cambodia (Professor Kurosawa) (18 April 2013)
On 18 April, Kurosawa seminar students discussed the 2013 study tour and decided to visit Cambodia this summer. Professor Kurosawa gave a lecture on the support to demining programmes in Cambodia, referring to the survey conducted by JICA in 2009. Firstly, he talked about the situation of damage caused by landmines in Cambodia. In Cambodia, there still remain landmines and UXOs dropped during the Vietnam War. In 1992, UNTAC founded Cambodia Mine Action Center (CMAC). Thanks to extensive demining activities and Mine Awareness Program, the number of victims of landmines has reduced. About 46 percent of the whole area of Cambodia, however, is still contaminated by landmines and UXOs. Secondly, he mentioned the process and various projects of demining. At the time of mine clearance, it is important to choose the area fairly. CMAC introduced a successful project of Community Based Demining Platoons (CBDP), which contributes to poverty reduction by employing many villagers from poor family. USA implements Exposing Harvest Project and reuses gunpowder from landmines. Japan has four programmes to address the landmine issues in Cambodia; i.e. support for mine clearance, support for victims, rehabilitation and vocational training, and Mine Awareness Program. (Sayaka Yatabe)
[Kurosawa seminar] Kurosawa Seminar starts its studies and activities (Professor Kurosawa) (11 April 2013)
On 11 April 2013, Kurosawa Seminar was held for the first time FY2013. Mr. Yasuki Uchiyama is leader and Ms. Minako Ishikawa is vice leader in Kurosawa Seminar.
In the fourth period, an orientation was held for new Kurosawa Seminar students. Then, students reviewed procedures for printing, an accounting report and programmes for the seminar. Later they tried to decide a country to visit as study tour in this summer. However, it was difficult to choose only one country because countries students wanted to go were deferent.
In the fifth period, Professor Kurosawa taught them how to write proper English, referring to some sentences with mistakes. (Kohei Yokota)
Professor Hasegawa Appointed Special Adviser to Prime Minister of Timor-Leste (11 April 2013)
According to the press release made by the Government of Timor-Leste, the Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, H.E. Mr. Kay Rala Xanana Gusmão, has appointed Professor Sukehiro Hasegawa, former Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General as his Special Adviser on Good Governance and Development. Please refer to the Government’s website: http://timor-leste.gov.tl/?p=7975&lang=en&n=1 for details of the announcement. (Shogo Yoshida)
Geneva Training Seminar for Graduate Students (1 to 5 April 2013)
From 1st to 5th of April, Japanese students attending graduate schools in the United Kingdom and other European universities participated in the training program on the path to become UN professional staff and the competencies required for the entry to UN organizations. This program, which was organized by the Matsumoto Kenshukai in Geneva, was assisted by many supporters and volunteers. It reflected the recognition of Japanese government and people about the need to increase Japanese staff presence in the UN and other international organizations commensurate with the share of Japanese financial contributions to the organizations. In this program, we visited several agencies such as UNCTAD, WHO, IOM, UNHCR and UNICEF and met current and former staff of the UN and other international organizations. All of the lectures were most helpful in providing us with not only relevant information but also lessons we should keep in mind for our studies and future career goals. On the first and third days of the seminar, Professor Hasegawa made informative talks on transformation of roles and policies of international organizations and the latest doctrines on norms of protection. He also advised us on the importance of knowing ourselves thoroughly in terms of our suitability to any specific career path we wish to pursue by using the Myers-Briggs personality type indicators. I am sure this training program will be a turning point for us in making decisions for our career paths. (Yuhei Shiratsuchi)
Geneva Training Seminar for Entry to International Organizations (31 March 2013)
We participated in a study trip to visit UN organizations in Geneva from March 25th to 29th. On our last day, we had a seminar by Mr. Alain Dick and Professor Hasegawa. They mainly presented about skills and knowledge necessary to work in the international organisations with their experiences in their UN careers and current attempts to develop the structure of international organisations. At the beginning, Mr. Dick explained two core important concepts to build UN career in terms of mind perspective; motivation and communication. In particularly, he strongly emphasized the importance of knowing and understanding “who I am”; in the other words, what I am eager to achieve in both short and long time periods. At the same time, he advised us to understand the aspirations of our partners and gave us examples of the impotence of communication with interviewers as they expect when we apply the international organisation and we move forward in our UN careers. (Ayaka Izu)
長谷川ゼミ5期生、7名が卒業しました(30 March 2013)
長谷川先生、式から日が経ってしまいましたが卒業式の報告をいたします。3月24日、5期生のうち7名(高橋、加藤、橋本、平田、光達、近藤、野田)が卒業いたしました。卒業式当日は、4期生の大山さん、山崎さんが式に駆けつけてくださりました。 当日、国際政治学科では学位記が、菱田先生と萩谷先生から学生に渡されました。学位記を授与される際、大学4年間のこと、長谷川ゼミでの経験が走馬灯のごとく思い出されました。大きなセレモニーとはもっと形式的なものとこのときまで思っていましたが、直接経験すると、感慨深いものがあり、過去の思い出と、学位を授与された重みを感じました。また大山さんからは、「野田君をはじめ後輩のみんなが頑張ってきたからその学位記には重みがあるんだ」といった旨の言葉を頂きました。最後になりましたが、スイスからのゼミ生へのメッセージありがとうございました。春に、先生にお会い出来るのを楽しみにしております。(野田悠将)
Full-blown Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo (29 March 2013)
Dear Professor Hasegawa (Cc. All seminar students), thank you for your nice pictures of Swiss Alps Mountains, Professor Hasegawa. They are majestic but I felt freezing cold when I saw these photos. Yesterday, I walked on streets around Hosei University and enjoyed seeing full-blown cherry blossoms that were so beautiful. They showed me spring is coming here. Cherry blossom is a symbol of meeting people and parting them. When the cherry blossom ends and the new school year starts in April, we will start our own separate lives. You will no longer be with us in class, so I wish you and all seminar students a good start of your new lives. (Shogo Yoshida)
Greetings from Top of Swiss Alps (28 March 2013)
皆さん、お元気ですか。3月23日にスイス・アルプスの標高3020mのティルスという山の頂上までケーブルカーで家族と一緒に上ってきました。一年を通して氷の中にある山頂は素晴らしかったです。3月の後半というのに、スイスでは今日も雪が降りました。自宅の周りの雪かきに1時間ほどかかりました。早く春になってもらいたいです。(長谷川祐弘)
Message from Geneva (18 March 2013)
長谷川ゼミ生、OB/OGのみなさん、今、スイスに来ております。ジュネーブでは昨夜より雪が降り、真っ白の美しい世界となりました。まもなく、国際機関人材育成セミナーが2週間あり、講義をいたします。4月には東京に戻り、20日には平和構築研究会の第1回を法政大学で開催します。土曜日ですので、参加して下さい。今後も一緒に学んでいきましょう。 (長谷川祐弘)
Norms of Protection: Difference and Interaction between R2P and POC (12 March 2013)
On 12 March 2013, the 17th interactive seminar on global issues was held at United Nations University, Tokyo. It was entitled “Civilians in Harm’s Way: A Tale of Two Protection Norms”. In this seminar, the participants discussed the two complex concepts: Responsibility to Protect (R2P) and Protection of Civilian (POC). First of all, Dr. Sampford, Professor of Law and Research Professor of Ethics at Griffith University, made a presentation about his analysis on their development of R2P and POC as international norms. Then, Dr. Popovski, Senior Academic Programme Officer of UNU-ISP, made a presentation about their difference between R2P and POC and the “myth” of R2P. He compared R2P with POC in the way of their legal sources and actors. After their presentation, three guests: His Excellency Dr. Charles Murigande, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Rwanda to Japan, Mr. Reiichiro Takahashi, Director-General, International Peace Cooperation Headquarters, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan, and Dr. Johan Cels, Representative in Japan, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), made a few comments. Finally, some audiences asked several interesting questions of the presenters and commentators. (Shogo Yoshida)
Five Hosei High School Students Emphasize Importance of Their Study at Boarding Schools in USA (9 March 2013)
On March 9th, we visited Professor Hasegawa at his residence in Hiroo, Tokyo. These students were Torai Takenawa, Takaya Furukawa and Masanobu Hayama who had studied abroad at South Kent School, Masako Ota who had spent one year at Kent School, and Misano Matsue who had gone to Marvelwood School located in Connecticut, USA. They informed Professor Hasegawa what they did in their study and sports at their schools. They felt strongly that Japanese high school students should have more opportunities to study abroad as they would benefit significantly from their experience. We enjoyed talking to not only Professor Hasegawa but also Ms. Ikeda and Mr. Tsuchiya who also participated in the reunion. (Masako Ota)
[PBSG] Lunching of Peacebuilding Study Group (2 March 2013)
The organizational meeting for the establishment of a Peacebuilding Study Group (PBSG) was held on 2nd March 2013 at Hosei University. The meeting was attended by eleven persons from Hosei University and other institutions. First, we identified the roles and functions of respective persons. The meeting asked Professor Sukehiro Hasegawa to act as Chairman and took note of Professor Yuji Suzuki`s agreement to act as an Advisor. The meeting then agreed to the following persons to perform respective roles: Mr. Shogo Yoshida, Secretary-General; Messrs. Norimasa Tochibayashi and Taichiro Fujino for planning and organization of the study meetings; Messrs. Kazuo Watanabe and Yusuke Noda for the management of general affairs; Ms. Asami Ikeda, for public relations; Ms. Masumi Asano for liaison with guest speakers; Ms. Saki Sakamoto for liaison with other universities; and Mr. Yasuki Uchiyama for contacting the Faculty of Law, the International Center and other departments within Hosei University. Second, we have conducted the hearing from each member to share their ideas and views concerning the PSG’s purposes and roles, and discussed how to make this organization as an integrated institution so that we can achieve specific outcomes and achievements. Thirdly, we also discussed the process of the forthcoming seminar which will be held on 20th April and 11th May 2013. (Asami Ikeda)
Professor Hasegawa Commends Seminar Chief Uchiyama for His Leadership (23 Feb 2013)
On 23rd February 2013, Mr. Yasuki Uchiyama held a farewell party, “oikon”, for the outgoing seminar students. He showed a memorial video which contained photos and stories of what had happened during the past year. They included memorial pictures of study tours to India/Bangladesh, Myanmar and Former Yugoslavia as well as seminars and symposia held at Hosei University including the visit of former President Ramos-Horta. After the wonderful movie, Mr. Uchiyama and his classmates gave cards to Professor Hasegawa and the third-year students who were graduating from the seminar class. Professor Hasegawa thanked Mr. Uchiyama for having organized such a memorable event and presented the certificates of appreciation and special contributions made by the seminar president and his deputies, Yui Narikawa and Minako Ishikawa. Professor Hasegawa also handed certificates of contributions and special efforts made by other members of the seminar class. (Shogo Yoshida)
Professor Hasegawa Explains Strategic Mission Leadership to HPC Trainees (29th-30th Jan 2013)
On 29th and 30th January 2013, Professor Hasegawa gave a lecture to a group of about 25 trainees of the Hiroshima Peacebuilders Center (HPC) from Asian countries and Japan on the role of the United Nations and leadership in peacebuilding. His lecture consisted of a presentation of the evolutional changes in peacekeeping operations, transition from peacekeeping into peacebuilding phases, the significance of peacebuilding in a wider context, UN’s peacebuilding architecture and lessons learned from UN experience in peacekeeping and peacebuilding operations. […] (Shogo Yoshida)
Greeting from Cost Rica! (Kyoko Hirano)
Dear Professor Hasegawa (CC Professor Hoffmann),
Happy New Year Hasegawa sensei! I hope you are keeping yourself warm in spite of hard winter in Japan this year. I safely got back to Costa Rica about a week ago and the class started as usual. When we talked at the alumni party in December, you said you met a young professor who is from Germany and is professor of the University for Peace. Immediately, I thought that was Julia Hoffmann. So I talked with Julia today on campus and she was surprised at such a miracle connection!And also she mentioned that UNU and UPeace should have more connection in future. […]
Professor Hasegawa Conducts Training Lecture and Workshop to FASID Trainees on “Delivering As One” (16 Jan 2013)
On 16th January 2013, Professor Hasegawa conducted a workshop for 14 trainees on the Delivering-As-One process held at the FASID seminar room in Azabu, Tokyo. Yuta Nakamoto, former chief of the Hasegawa seminar class, Kazuyuki Toriumi, a Hosei graduate student and Shogo Yoshida, a Hasegawa seminar student, joined in the workshop which dealt with the Rwanda case.
After an introductory presentation by Professor Hasegawa, the workshop participants constituted two groups and carried out CCA and UNDAF with a view to drawing up the key goals of One UN Program in order of priority, their time schedule of events and locations. Nakamoto acted as Minister of Foreign Affairs of Rwanda, Toriumi as a representative of NGO Human Rights and Media (CNN/BBC), and Yoshida as UN Humanitarian Coordinator.
Afterward, Ms. Sachiko Matsumoto, coordinator of the FASID training program, provided a feedback from the participants. They seemed to have found the exercise highly useful in understanding the complexity of coordinating the views and priorities attached to various development programs by host Government, UN agencies and donor countries of what should be done in a coordinated manner. (Shogo Yoshida)
[Seminar] Hasegawa Seminar Successfully Finishes Its Study and Activities (16th January 2013)
The final seminar class and events were held on 16 January 2013, first in Classroom S-307 where Professor Hasegawa conducted his last lecture on international organizations and then a group of the seminar students gathered in the special faculty meeting room to talk about what they had learned from the seminar class. Many of them pointed out that they had gained confidence and learned how to speak up and express their opinions. They recalled many events that they had successfully planned and managed such as “dialogues with ambassadors” and symposia. They also pointed out that it was challenging to read so many books by Russell on philosophy on knowledge, Joseph Nye, Jr. on history of conflicts, Michael Sandel on justice, Bellamy on peacekeeping written in English. Through lectures, presentations and discussion, they succeeded in achieving much this year. The seminar students expressed their wish to maintain their association. We thanked Professor Hasegawa for guiding us this year. (Yasuki Uchiyama)
[NEWS] Peace Mission Leadership (31st December 2012)
The world-wide Academic Council on the UN System (ACUNS) has just published Professor Hasegawa’s article entitled “Peace Mission Leadership: Achieving Unity of Efforts” in its newsletter issue No.4, 2012. In this article, Professor Hasegawa points out the importance of situational leadership that forges the relationship of trust and confidence and enhances the commitment of national leaders to communal and national interest.
[Seminar] Challenge for Water Supply and Perspectives of Liberal Democracy (18th December 2012)
On 18th December 2012, during the 4th period class, four seminar students: Misa Komine, Yuuka Hirakawa, Eri Iijima and Yuki Shozui, made presentations on global poverty issues with water resources. First, Misa Komine explained some advantages of ensuring safe water and sanitary facilities. Then, Yuuka Hirakawa took up the following causes not of establishment of water supply: (1) water shortage, (2) gaps between supply and demand, and (3) budget deficit in infrastructure improvement. Next, Eri Iijima described the background of water shortage and suggested that governments should consider the secondary damages with infrastructure development such as the violation of human rights and the destruction of the environment. Finally, Yuki Shozui concluded that all the states must not only fulfill equality and efficient of resources, but also enable coming generation to continuously enjoy the benefit of water. In the 5th period, as a review of the class of last week, all seminar students discussed the following: (1) why “Liberal Democracy” needs in post-conflict countries; (2) why the UN often failed to introduce “Liberal Democracy” to the countries; and (3) how the UN can realize internal peace and stability in the countries. After the discussion, Professor Hasegawa looked back to the seminar class of this year. He referred to some main points of the textbooks which the seminar students read intensively in this seminar. In the end, he explained essay quizzes on these books which will carry out on 8th January 2013, the final seminar class. (Shogo Yoshida)