41st UNU Global Seminar
Living with the Climate Crisis: Learning Resilience and Innovation from Noto, Kanazawa and Hakusan
Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) requires a renewed focus on balancing the needs of human society with the health of the global environment. In the face of climate change, it is increasingly important to enhance disaster preparedness and resilience, promote sustainable use of local resources and strengthen collaboration with local communities. Participants will develop the skills to address complex global challenges such as climate justice, disaster response and public health, and gain in-depth understanding of the relationship between cities and nature, and the relevance of traditional knowledge in contemporary society.
The 41st session will focus on disaster resilience and sustainable community development based on lessons learned in the aftermath of the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake and torrential rain disasters. Participants will explore the interconnectedness of urban nature and culture in Kanazawa City, and learn about creative reconstruction, biocultural diversity and the use of local resources at the Mount Hakusan UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and the Hakusan Tedorigawa UNESCO Global Geopark, as well as through the experiences of guest lecturers from the disaster-affected areas of Noto Peninsula. The seminar will include lectures, field visits and group work, and provide networking opportunities with students from other universities and academic backgrounds.
- Eligibility
- Modality
- Programme
- Applications
- Notification of Selection
- Fee
- Contact
- Background
- History of the Global Seminars
Eligibility
The seminar is open to university students (both undergraduate and postgraduate) residing in Japan, irrespective of their major. Young professionals who are interested in the theme of the seminar are also welcome, although those working in the subject area are not admissible.
Participants are required to have a good command of English, as lectures will be delivered in English with no interpretation provided. The maximum number of participants is 40. [Top]
Modality
The 41st Global Seminar will be conducted in person only. [Top]
Programme
Day 1 (Sunday, 10 August)
- Opening ceremony
- Lectures
- Urban field visits (Kanazawa City)
Day 2 (Monday, 11 August)
- Morning: Lectures (Kanazawa City)
- Afternoon: Transfer to the Hakusan area; briefing and lectures
Day 3 (Tuesday, 12 August)
- Lectures in Hakusan, group work, final presentation
Day 4 (Wednesday, 13 August)
- Field visit to the Hakusan National Park, closing session, transfer to Kanazawa City (end of programme around 17:30) [Top]
Applications
The application deadline is 6 July 2025 (23:59 JST).*
Please apply using the online application form.
*Applications may close before the deadline if the number of applications reaches the maximum. [Top]
Notification of Selection
Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by email around the end of July 2025. The participation fee of JPY 50,000 must be deposited to the designated bank account by the due date. Details will be sent directly to participants. [Top]
Fee
The programme fee is JPY 50,000 and covers the following:
- Seminar participation
- Transportation within Ishikawa Prefecture (as detailed in the programme above)
- Two-night accommodation in Hakusan City (11–13 August; shared rooms).
- Meals:
11 August: lunch and dinner
12 August: breakfast, lunch and dinner
13 August: breakfast and lunch
The following are not included (participants must cover these costs separately):
- Transportation to and from the designated site in Kanazawa City
- One-night accommodation and dinner in Kanazawa City (10 August)
- Other individual expenses [Top]
Contact
Please send your inquiries to ias.pdt.event@unu.edu [Top]
Background
The aim of the UNU Global Seminars is to enhance awareness about contemporary global issues and the role of the United Nations in addressing those issues. Students and young professionals are given the opportunity to interact with distinguished scholars and practitioners from Japan and abroad, and to explore a specific issue in depth through lectures and group discussions. [Top]
History of the UNU Global Seminars
The UNU Global Seminars began in Japan in the Kanto area in 1985 with the first Shonan Session, and in the Kansai area in 1995 with the Kobe Session. In Japan, additional UNU Global Seminars are held in Tohoku, Shimane-Yamaguchi, Hokkaido, Kobe-Awaji, Kanazawa, and Okinawa. The expansion of the UNU Global Seminars abroad began with the Seoul (South Korea) Session in 2003. [Top]