UNU Global Seminar

Applications for the 2024 programme are now open. The application deadline is 31 July 2024.

40th UNU Global Seminar

Towards a Sustainable Planet and Society: Learning Resilience and Innovation from Noto, Kanazawa and Hakusan

To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and build a sustainable planet and society, we need to understand issues being addressed at the global scale and international frameworks, as well as creative approaches to these challenges using nature and culture in local communities. In particular, protecting ecosystems and building resilience are key for a sustainable future.

The 40th UNU Global Seminar will provide an opportunity to learn about the international framework for the SDGs and explore local initiatives in three areas of Ishikawa Prefecture (Noto, Kanazawa and Hakusan). These include creative disaster recovery and prevention, conservation, restoration and sustainable utilization of urban nature. Participants will also learn about biodiversity conservation and sustainable development through activities at the Mount Hakusan UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Hakusan Tedorigawa UNESCO Global Geopark.

The seminar enables participants to interact with leaders in diverse fields of expertise, raising awareness of the global challenges facing contemporary society. Participants will develop the ability to respond to global issues that have multiple dimensions. Through group discussions and presentations using the World Café method (small-group, interchangeable dialogue), the seminar will also expand the network of participating students from other universities and those who specialize in different fields.

Modality
Programme
Applications
Notification of Selection
Requirements
Fee
Contact
Background
History of the Global Seminars

Modality

In-person participation only

Programme

Day 1: 21 August (Wed), Kanazawa city

13:00 – 17:00

Opening remarks by Shinobu Shinobu Yamaguchi (Director, UNU-IAS)
Keynote speech by Tshilidzi Marwala (Rector, UNU)
Lecture by researchers from UNU-IAS Operating Unit Ishikawa/Kanazawa (OUIK)
Field visits (Japanese gardens in Kanazawa, tea ceremony, etc.)

Please note that participants must arrange their own accommodation.

Day 2: 22 August (Thu), Kanazawa city and Hakusan city

Morning, starting from 9:30

Lecture by Sayako Koyama (Research Associate, UNU-IAS)
Lecture by Yukihiko Oikawa (Associate Professor, Nara University of Education)

Lunch taken by participants individually

Move to Hakusan city (by chartered bus)

Afternoon

Orientation at Shiramine town, Hakusan city
Lecture by Yasushi Katsuma (Academic Advisor, UNU-IAS)

Day 3: 23 August (Fri), Shiramine, Hakusan city

Morning, starting from 9:30

Lecture by Tsunao Watanabe (Senior Programme Coordinator, UNU-IAS)
Lecture by Susan May (International Relations Coordinator, Hakusan Tedorigawa Geopark Promotion Council)
Lecture by Dr. Mamadova Aida (Associate Professor, Kanazawa University)

Afternoon

Group discussion and presentation

Day 4: 24 August (Sat), Hakusan city and Kanazawa city

Fields visit in Hakusan UNESCO BR and Hakusan Tedorigawa UNESCO Global Geopark
Ceremony of certificate award

Note: Programme and lecturers are subject to change.

Applications

The application deadline is 31 July 2024, 17:30 (JST).*

Please apply using the online registration form.

*Applications may be closed before the deadline if the number of applications reaches the maximum.

Notification of Selection

Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application at the beginning of August, by email. The participation fee of JPY 50,000 must be deposited to the designated bank account by the due date. Details will be sent to the selected participants directly.

Requirements

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.

Further details will be sent to the selected participants directly.

Fee

JPY 50,000

The fee covers the following costs:

Seminar participation
Transportation in Ishikawa Prefecture (as detailed in the programme above)
Accommodation in Hakusan city (two nights: 22–24 August). Accommodation in Hakusan is group stay with other participants.
Meals:
22 August: dinner
23 August: breakfast, lunch and dinner
24 August: breakfast and lunch

The following are not included (participants must cover these costs separately):

Transportation to and from the site designated in Kanazawa
Accommodation in Kanazawa city (one night: 21 August)
Some meals (dinner on 21 August and lunch on 22 August)

Contact

Please send your inquiries to pdt.event@unu.edu (to the attention of: Araki, Tajima).

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.

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.

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.