Visit to United Nations University

 From March 27th to 28th, as the preparation for the next SG course research, 41 newly-elected students visited United Nations University and other cooperative institutions in Tokyo.

The purpose of this visit was to get some advice as to what to research and which problems to study by taking some lectures about global problems.

On the first day, at United Nations University, the students had lectures from the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the United Nations Information Center.  They learned the activities of the United Nations, which aimed at Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and made a tour of the United Nations University.  On the second day, during the training course separated with each group, they visited the Earth Park of JICA, Plan International, and Tokyo University of Foreign Studies.  They took some lectures, made a tour and interacted with the students there.

   Based on what they learned from this training, they will then prepare to research.

[the participants’ comments]

＊What I was most surprised about is that the number of people who live in developing countries is 5.6 billion.  I also learned that it was not easy to support them because of the differences of religions and cultures.  I thought that it was important for us to find what we can do now and put them into action for international cooperation in the future. 

 

＊I was surprised that children also mine rare metals for cell phones with their bare hands.  Although I know there are some reasons for cheap clothes, I think it is difficult to change lives quickly.  I want to find out what I can do. The common ideas of UNDP and Plan International and JICA are that we should not give temporary help, but give them something that will last indefinitely.  I want to consider ideas that have long insight in mind.