Mr. Shogo Yoshida, former student of Professor Hasegawa’s seminar class (2013), is accepted by the Graduate School of the University of Tokyo (Todai) for his study in the Human Security. He will be enrolled in the international relations course with major in International Social Science. We congratulate Shogo on this accomplishment and wish him all the best in his graduate school study at the Todai.
Toyama and Yoshida Speak About Sudan and Human Secuirty (1 March 2014)
On 1 March 2014, Ms. Seiko Toyama of the International Peace Cooperation Headquarters of the Cabinet Office and Mr. Shogo Yoshida, Candidate for Tokyo University Graduate School made their presentations. Ms. Toyama mentioned UN peacekeeping missions in Africa, particularly in UNMISS in South Sudan. She also explained the role played by the Japan Self-Defense Forces personnel. Mr. Yoshida presented his bachelor thesis on the possibility for the concept of human security being reflected within the framework of existing UN peacekeeping activities, using Maslow’s hierarchy of needs and the peacekeeping operations in Timor-Leste. Moreover, he adverted to his draft of research proposal for the master’s course.
[PRAJ] Uchiyama Elected Secretary-General by General Assembly of the Peacebuilding Research Association (1 March 2014)
On 1 March 2014, the General Assembly of the Peacebuilding Research Association held at Hosei University adopted its constitution and elected Mr. Yasuki Uchiyama as its new Secretary General. The General Assembly also elected five members of the Board of Directors, Mr. Katsumi Ishizuka, Mr. Satoru Kurosawa, Ms. Chika Saito, Mr. Sukehiro Hasegawa and Mr. Takaaki Mizuno. Professor Sukehiro Hasegawa was voted to continue as the President of the Association.
Primordial Leadership Book Launched at UN Headquarters in Geneva (17 January 2014)
On 17 January 2014, a book launch was organized at the Palais des Nations in Geneva to mark the publication of Professor Hasegawa’s book, « Primordial Leadership – Peacebuilding and National Ownership in Timor-Leste ». The book launch convened a wide audience from various parts of the UN system and diplomats from Missions to the UN from the region. (Hillel Loew)
[Kurosawa seminar] Kurosawa Seminar Successfully Has Finished its Study and Activities (Professor Kurosawa) (9 January 2014)
The final Kurosawa seminar class was held on 9 January 2014. In the 4th period, Professor Kurosawa gave some important presentations to seminar students. At first, he explained about international contributions by Japanese then he referred to the structure of United Nations’ staff. After that, he showed some models to start working for the United Nations and explained some important preparations needed to work for the UN. In addition, he pointed out some fundamental skills as a member of Japanese society.
In the first half of the 5th period, Professor Kurosawa mentioned former Yugoslavia conflict, using some movies, pictures and news. He elaborated that this conflict was tripartite conflict by Croats, Muslim and Serbs. There were various opinions regarding causes of the conflict, but one of them was fear of genocide by other ethnic groups and self-protection.
Finally, all seminar students commented impressions and playbacks looking back the Kurosawa seminar’s activities of this year. Then the students presented their study reports to Professor Kurosawa.
After the seminars, seminar students and Professor Kurosawa enjoyed the last diner together. (Yasuki Uchiyama)
Hasegawa Seminar Students Hold OB/OG Reunion Dinner (7 December 2013)
On 7 December 2013, Professor Hasegawa`s former students numbering as many as 46 gathered together at Place de Nostalgie table for a reunion dinner. Many came from outside of Tokyo, including Mr. Soichiro Hirabayashi who came from the southern island of Kyushu. The reunion meeting was organized by Ms. Sayuri Maruyama and Mr. Keiki Takemasa of the 6th Year Seminar Class. Each class students spoke about what they are doing after graduation from Hosei University. Mr. Yusuke Noda who is currently studying at University of Sussex in England addressed the group by a video message. Many of the participants went to a follow-on dinner after the formal reunion. (Yasuki Uchiyama)
[Kurosawa seminar] Intensive reading and presentations of “Primordial Leadership” with Professor Hasegawa (Professor Hasegawa) (28 November 2013)
On 28 November 2013, Professor Hasegawa visited the Kurosawa seminar for the first time in almost one year. In this seminar, first, five students made presentations about the peacebuilding in Timor-Leste referring to Chapter 5 to 8 of the “Primordial Leadership” written by Professor Hasegawa. (Uchiyama)
Six Japanese participate in GPOI/SML Peacekeeping Training Course Nov 11-22, 2013
Six Japanese senior staff of the Japanese government and UN agencies participated in the training course organized by Japan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United States Pacific Command for two weeks from 11 to 22 November 2013. The training course was opened and closed by Japanese Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Hirotaka Ishihara, and assisted by Nobuharu Imanishi, Director of International Peace Cooperation and his staff Sachiko Kitahara. Japanese participants were Major General Kimihiko Iwamura and Senior Colonel Shinji Furusho of Japan Self-Defense Forces; Kaoru Magosak, Principal Deputy Director of Economic Policy Division of MOFA; Junko Kunugi, Special Representative of UNICEF in the Palestinian terrirtory; Coco Ushiyama, WFP Representative in Malawi; Shoko Arakaki, UNOCHA External and Donor Relations Chief; Mikiko Sawanishi and UNDEF Deputy Executive Chief. Three persons who attended the course as observers were Miwa Kato of UNODC, Yumiko Takashima of UNHCR and Kazuyoshi Kuroda of JICA. Professor Sukehiro Hasegawa acted as one of the principal mentors while Professor Kenji Isezaki and Ms. Ai Kihara-Hunt delivered lectures on DDS and human rights respectively.
[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)
[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)
[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)
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)
[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)
[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)
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.”
[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)
“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)
[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)
[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)
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.