[PBSG] Former Ambassador Ishikawa Speaks About the Complexity of Peacbuilding in Egypt (23 November 2013)

 Mr Kaoru Ishikawa, former Ambassador to Egypt and currently Senior Executive Director/ Director of Research of the Japan Forum on International Relations, made a stimulating speech on the situation in Egypt as seen in various perspectives and understandings of its historical developments. The lecture delivered under the theme of “A Nation Building in the Globalized World,” focused on the causes and implications of the current political crisis of Egypt. He attached a high value to the independent way of observing and thinking about what has been happening, noting the importance of thinking always about the ‘other side of the coin’ of what we hear or learn. He pointed that ignorance on Egyptian multi-layered societies intertwined with historical facts and traditions might have led to some missteps by foreign powers in dealing with the crisis. Following his lecture, two commentators, Professor Takaaki Mizuno of the Kanda University of International Studies and Professor Miki Honda of the Waseda University made remarks on the aforementioned topic. Joined by other participants, extensive and lively discussions followed over such issues as national sovereignty, the Westphalia system’s non-universal reality, and election. (Ikeda)

2013-11-23
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[Kurosawa Seminar] Visiting ADB office in Tokyo (Mr. Tomomi Tamaki) (14 November 2013)

 On 14 November 2013, Kurosawa seminar students visited ADB (Asia Development Bank) office in Tokyo, which was located in Kasumigaseki building, to report back results of a study trip to Cambodia. Kurosawa seminar students met Mr. Tomomi Tamaki, Representative of Tokyo Office. Each of governance team, human rights team and education team explained respectively what they learned in Cambodia. After that Mr. Tamaki made comments about their reports. He told that governance and education are very sensitive. ADB tackles with governance issues by project base. For education, ADB provides secondary education support. (Yuko Honda)

2013-11-14
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[Kurosawa Seminar] The Overview of PKO activities in Somalia and the DRC (Professor Kurosawa) (7 November 2013)

 On 7 November 2013, two seminar students gave presentations on current situation in African countries: Somalia and the Congo. Yuko Honda explained the process of civil war in Somalia and UNSOMⅠ/Ⅱ (United Nations Operation in SomaliaⅠ/Ⅱ). Yuhi Kawase talked about conflicts in DRC and MONUC (Mission of the United Nations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo). After questions and answers among seminar students, Professor Kurosawa mentioned changes in a role of PKO and problems related to armed soldiers in refugee camps. (Sayaka Yatabe)

2013-11-08
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Michael Emery on UN Staff Competency and Career Management (23 October 2013)

 Mr. Michael Emery, Director of UNFPA Human Resources, met with Professor Hasegawa on 23 October and briefed him on two presentations he had made about UN staff competency interviewing and holistic career management. The following two websites show Mr. Emery’s presentations. The YouTube file on competency interviewing can be accessed through http://youtu.be/E3-WKWpNl3I. The YouTube file on holistic career development is http://youtu.be/y7XmgJplfqA. Professor Hasegawa recommends these presentations for people who consider their careers with the United Nations system. (Shogo Yoshida)

2013-10-23
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[Kurosawa seminar] The theme of seminar essays (Professor Kurosawa) (17 October 2013)

 On 17 October, eight seminar students gave presentations about the themes and outlines of their seminar reports. After each presentation, many students asked questions actively and discussed various issues. Then at the end of 5th period, Professor Kurosawa described his impression about the joint session of the study tours which was held on 12 October 2013. He pointed out some points which should be improved. Students learned appropriate manners and behaviors for working in the society. (Yuhi Kawase)

2013-10-18
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[Kurosawa seminar] 5 Seminars Jointly Reported Their Annual Study Tour Together (12 October 2013)

 On 12 October 2013, there was seminar presentation in which 5 (Mori, Suzuki, Okada, Kurosawa, Goto) seminars reported their study tours. Firstly, Mori seminar presented about policy of America regarding Asia rebalance.
 Secondly, Suzuki seminar presented about relationship between Japan and Vietnam.
 Thirdly, Okada seminar presented about Hong Kong.
 Fourthly, Kurosawa seminar presented about Cambodia.
 Finally, Goto seminar presented about Indonesia and Myanmar.
 After their presentations, four professors commented about presentation of five seminars.
Goto professor: It is dangerous to believe 100% of what staff of JICA and other institutions explained, because they said only good things.
Okada professor: it is important to meet local people.
Suzuki professor: it is important to make a plan by students.
Kurosawa professor; it is important to think about oneself objectively and to think about various issues from global perspectives. (Yoon Junho)

2013-10-13
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Professor Hasegawa Delivers Public Lecture at Raoul Wallenberg Institute in Lund, Sweden on 30 September 2013

 As one of three speakers at the public debate held as part of the International Humanitarian and Human Rights in Armed Conflicts organized the Raoul Wallenberg Institute (RWI) in Lund, Sweden, on 30 September and 1 October 2013, Professor Sukehiro Hasegawa spoke about two approaches taken by Japan and Korea on the one hand and Indonesia and Timor-Leste on the other hand with regard to sexual misconducts of soldiers during war and armed conflict. Two other speakers, Margot Wallstrom, former UN Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Almiro Rodriques, Judge at the Constitutional Court of Kosovo spoke respectively about “Another kind of war – on conflict-related sexual violence” and “Massive violations character and its implications as a challenge for international human rights and international humanitarian law.”

2013-10-02
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[Kurosawa seminar] Kurosawa Seminar’s first class of the Fall Semester was held (Professor Kurosawa) (26 September 2013)

 Kurosawa Seminar’s first class of fall semester was held on September 26 of 2013. During 4th period, Yasuki Uchiyama gave the orientation about the fall semester. He explained about a plan of lecture. After this orientation, we saw a video of the study tour in Cambodia which was created by Professor Kurosawa.
 During 5th period, we discussed the reports of Cambodian study tour. All of the seminar students checked the reports of the meetings of organizations which we visited, such as UNICEF, CJCC, World Bank, Japanese Embassy. Finally, Professor Kurosawa provides his comments on the reports. (Yuhi Kawase)

2013-09-27
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“Primordial Leadership” Photo Gallery

 This is a collection of photos and pictures of people and events mentioned in Primordial Leadership: Peacebuilding and National Leadership in Timor-Leste”published by the United Nations Press in September 2013 (ISBN: 9789280812244). The book covers the period from July 2002 to September 2006 when I served in Timor-Leste as the special representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations (SRSG) and deputy SRSG as well as the resident co-ordinator of the UN system’s operational activities for development. Post-conflict peacebuilding was successful in Timor-Leste for the Timorese leaders’ commitment to national interest and unity, and their willingness to change their mindset and mentality, harmonize the universal ideals and principles of governance with local community values and customs, and to pursue the future rather than the past. I have endeavored to identify the photographers of photos as many as possible and wish to invite any photographers to inform me if any of their photos are shown without indication of their names. (Sukehiro Hasegawa)

2013-09-26
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[PBSG] Applicability of Rule of Law for International Disputes (14 September 2013)

 The Peacebuilding Study Group held on 14 September a seminar on the applicability of rule of law in settling international disputes. It centered on the presentations made by two guest speakers, Professors Yozo Yokota and Yasushi Higashizawa and comments by Professor Hideaki Shinoda and Mr. Shinpei Yamamoto. Introduced in the presentations were the relationship between domestic and international laws as explained in “Rule of Law – A Guide for politicians” by Professor Higashizawa of Meiji Gakuin University, and the legal issues arising out of the territorial disputes of the Senkaku Islands between Japan and China by President Yokota of the Japan Association on United Nations Studies. (Drafted by Jason Pratt)

2013-09-14
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[Kurosawa seminar] Visiting ADB office in Tokyo (Mr. Tomomi Tamaki) (22 August 2013)

 On 22 August 2013, Kurosawa seminar visited ADB (Asian Development Bank) office in Tokyo, which was located in Kasumigaseki building.
 Mr. Tomomi Tamaki, Representative of Tokyo Office, explained us about outline of ADB.
 The main salient points are as follows:
– ADB was founded by 1966, headquarter was located in Manila, Philippines.
– The member countriesof ADB are 57.
– Main purpose is to help developing countries in Asia.
– Main investment countries are Japan and America.
– The number of professional staff from Japan in ADB is 149, while the number of total professional staff is 1076.
– The share of Japanese staff is about 15.3%.
– There are two types of financing in ADB; one is OCR (Ordinary Capital Resources), the other is ADF (Asian Development Fund).

 Comparatively developed country in Asia such as India can receive OCR. OCR is concessional loan, so country which accepts OCR should repay back.
 On the other hand, a poverty-stricken country such as Bangladesh can receive ADF. ADF has a low interest rate, but country which accepts ADF has responsibility of explaining how they use money for their country. ADF is usually used for project such as education, social security. More a poverty-stricken country receive grant. Also some countries receive both OCR and ADF.
– The share of Japanese and American contribution to OCR is same percentage, but Japanese contribution to ADF is much higher than America.
– ADB has long-term strategy for 2020.
 There are three development agendas for Asia and the Pacific;
1. Inclusive Economic Growth
2. Environmentally Sustainable Growth
3. Regional Integration.
5 core areas of operations:
 (1) Infrastructure
 (2) Environment
 (3) Regional cooperation and Integration
 (4) Finance Sector development
 (5) Education
(Yoon Junho)

2013-08-23
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In Memory of Atsuhito Nakata

 United Nations Volunteers, Bonn, Germany: On 8 April 1993, exactly 20 years ago today, Atsuhito Nakata (Atsu), a Japanese UN Volunteer working as a District Electoral Supervisor with the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC), was killed in a tragic ambush along with his Khmer interpreter, Lek Sophiep, in the province of Kampong Thom. He was 25 years old.

2013-08-20
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20th Anniversary of UN-organized Cambodian Elections (18 August 2013)

 Former UN Volunteer electoral supervisors and their families along with retired UN officials, colleagues and friends celebrated on 16 and 17 August 2013 the 20th anniversary of the Cambodian elections held under the auspices of the United Nations Transitional Authority in Cambodia (UNTAC) in 1993. The anniversary event, organized by former UN Volunteer electoral supervisor and now Head of UNDP Sub-Office in Hargeisa, Somalia, Stephen Kinloch-Pichat, took place in Rabillière, Saint-Laurent-d’Oingt, France.

2013-08-20
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Transfer of Sovereign Power on Swiss News

 The longest-running English language monthly magazine in Switzerland, Swiss News, carried a story about the transfer of sovereign power from the United Nations to the newly independent nation of Timor-Leste. The photo shows Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations Sukehiro Hasegawa handing over the flag of the United Nations to President of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste Xanana Gusmao on 19 May 2005. Since 1982, Swiss News has brought Swiss culture, business, and news to increasingly diverse, international readership of 60,000 in Switzerland. Swiss News is distributed to premier hotels in the country and is one of the few magazines to be circulated within the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos.

2013-07-31
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[Kurosawa seminar] The all-inclusive lecture (Professor Kurosawa) (25 July 2013)

 On 25 July 2013, two seminar students: Keiki Takemasa and Kohei Yokota made presentations about Arab spring in Syria and Egypt. Both students explained progress of demonstration against their political power and revolution. After their presentations, Professor Kurosawa lectured outline of JICA as wrap-up lecture of the spring semester. He explained Japanese ODA system and operations of JICA. There are two aid approaches in JICA, i.e. regional/country approach and issue-based approach. In addition, JICA has two systems of operations, such as direct management and consignment of business activities. (Yuko Honda)

2013-07-25
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[PBSG] Captain Hideki Hayashi Explains “Collateral Damage” (13th July 2013)

 At the fourth seminar of peacebuilding research group, Captain Hideki Hayashi of the Ministry of Defense explained the nature of “collateral damage” and how it happens by citing three examples. When the Nation State exercises its state military based on its sovereign right to “use of Force” , the aforementioned “use of Force” “jus in bello” shall be applied and covered by the “Law of war”; such as “law of Armed conflicts”, “rules of war” and “international humanitarian laws”. (Jason Pratt and Asami Ikeda)

2013-07-13
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[Kurosawa semiar] Overview of Arab Spring and the situation in Tunisia and Libya (Professor Kurosawa) (11 July 2013)

 On 11 July 2013, Professor Kurosawa gave his lecture on Arab Spring in the 4th period. In his lecture, the seminar students learned the national structural factor and the cause which triggered the spread of Arab Spring from Tunisia to Arab countries. They understood the movement for democratization up to the present in Egypt. In the 5th period, two seminar students Mai Uchida and Yasuki Uchiyama made presentation about the situation of Arab Spring in Tunisia and Libya. (Sayaka Yatabe)

2013-07-11
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Identity as Source of Problems and Solutions (5 to 6 July 2013)

 A two day international symposium entitled, “Transforming Conflict and Building Cohesion through Identity,” was held at Doshisha University in the historic scenic city, Kyoto in the first week of July, on 5 and 6 July 2013. The symposium brought together anthropologists, sociologists and political scientists from around the world. (Guneshwor Ojha)

2013-07-06
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[Kurosawa Seminar] A joint seminar with Kyoritsu Women’s University and Toyo Eiwa University (Ms. Sachiko Furuya) (27 June 2013)

 On 27 June 2013, during 4th period class, Minako Ishikawa made a presentation about an armed conflict of Cambodia in 1997. Then, Lisa Kato talked about current situation of Cambodia. During 5th period class, a joint seminar was held with Kyoritsu Women’s University and Toyo Eiwa University students. Ms. Sachiko Furuya explained history and current situation of Afghanistan, as well as Japanese assistance toward to Afghanistan. Professor Kurosawa made some comments about her speech. Then Mr. Ikeda, professor of Toyo Eiwa University, commented that corruption is different meaning with perspective of country. After that Mr. Tateyama, ex-professor of National Defense Academy of Japan, explained the reason Japan has supported Afghanistan. (Yoon Junho)

2013-06-27
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ACUNS 2013 Annual Conference Held at Lund University, Sweden

 The annual conference of the Academic Council on the United Nations System (ACUNS) was held at Lund University in Sweden from 17 to 19 June 2013. The theme of this year`s conference was “Leadership in Global Governance.” More than 200 scholars and researchers from all over the world participated in the conference. (The photo shows, Former President of the Republic of Slovenia Danilo Türk speaking at the last plenary session along with David Malone, Rector of UN University.) (Hillel Loew)

2013-06-25
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