The “International Organizations Career Forum 2016 in Tamagawa Gakuen for Junior and Senior high school students” was held, inviting instructors from international organizations such as the United Nations, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and international NGOs.
The forum was held with the purpose of give a concrete image and understanding of careers in international organizations, all 877 students from 9th to 12th grade participated in this forum. After the keynote speech in the auditorium, the students broke into subcommittees with 10 lecturers and presentations by students were given.
The lecturer for the keynote speech was Jun Kukita, Professor of Kwansei Gakuin University. He worked at the United Nations until 2015. He talked about the events he experienced that led him to pursue a career at the United Nation in a “personal history”.
“Who am I, why am I here, and what am I living for. ” These were questions he asked himself when he was 17 years old and he first became aware of the value of his own life. This moment of self-awareness was the beginning of his journey.
He made a “100-year life plan” and tried to live a life based on it. However, Mr. Kukita experienced frustration from not moving up at university due to his grades. One day, when he was looking for a new future plan having lost the original, he found the new option of becoming “United Nations Staff” in a booklet that introduced the work of international organizations. “This is what I want to do!” He was shocked to find this answer after having thought his plan was ruined.
Since then, he worked hard to become a “United Nations Staff” member and finally he was accepted. He worked with celebrities such as Aung San Suu Kyi and Jackie Chan in various countries and he put a lot of effort into solving many international issues.
“When you turn 100 years old, the world will celebrate the 22nd century. Can we make a world without poverty, and can we bring the global environment back to normal? I think we can. Let’s make a solution strategically.” Was his message. The students responded with great applause to Mr.Kusaki’s powerful message.
Subcommittees were held in various classrooms. 10 lectures were held at the same time, and the floor was filled with students rushing into the classrooms for their selected lectures.
Jiro Takeichi of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) told about his experiences in high school and college that became the origin for his current activities.
“What is cooperation and volunteering? What is JICA? – these words suddenly appeared in front of me and raised a question. That was when I first thought about working here.
Many of his stories brought empathy from the high school students, and they obtained valuable tips to help them selecting their futures.
Atsushitoshi Hagino, from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs General Foreign Policy Bureau, international organizations Human Resources Center, gave a lecture titled as “I will teach you how to build your global career in a way which teachers can’t possibly teach!”.
Students gave comments like “You can speak English”, “You are a professional in things such as education, environment, and food”, “You have a master’s degree” … He gave concrete and practical advice based on his own experience. His clear way of speaking attracted students strongly.
“What decides your fate is a choice rather than a chance.” Tomomi Sekioka of the International Monetary Fund shared her own turning points in life as examples, and encouraged students to make the future of their own
She also described her own career path and employment at the International Monetary Fund.
Tetsuo Kondo from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) talked about “Millennium Development Goals”, which Aim to eradicate poverty and hunger. He discussed “what we should do from now on”.
“Think with everyone, and let’s make a better world together. So, what are you going to do from now?” His questions clearly left a message — “Let’s change the future with our own hands” – in the students’ hearts.
Akiko Taguchi of the International Labour Organization (ILO) described the current situation of child labor in the world by showing a large number of graphs and charts.
“Why does such a thing happen, and why doesn’t it go away?”. The reality shown from the data and her gentle narrative speech combined make students understand the importance of protecting the human rights of children.
Hideki Murakami of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) talked about the value of connecting the technology of the developed countries to poverty-stricken areas,
“if you do many things even if you think you won’t like them, you will see what you want to do someday.” Suffering from the indecision and confusion, she twisted and turned on her path while continuing to try to find “the work she wanted to do”. Her words were encouraging to students who feeling lost.
Mitsuko Ito from the Japan Committee, Vaccines for the Children (JCV), introduced her own organization which works on educational activities relating to vaccines and described the various ways vaccines can be donated.
Separation of PET bottle caps, pressing the “Like” button on JCV’s SNS … even a small things like that can lead to donations. “There are things that high school students can do just now. Let’s first start with small things.” She also talked about the importance of taking small steps.
“What we have kept in mind always, was the human resource development of the locals.” Yasuyuki Fujino of Save the Children Japan.
He lectured in detail about the problems of the lives of children around the world and life in the field as an NGO staff member. Students learned about the mental attitude needed when working in an international job.
Kohei Nakagane, from the Cabinet Office International Peace Cooperation Headquarters Secretariat (PKO), spoke about what is required to work in the PKO, the Ministry of Defense, and the Self-Defense Forces, and the charm of international contributions.
His experiences supporting activities in South Sudan were impressive, and the students felt the excitement of working at the forefront as an international contributor.
From her own experience as living in Kenya in high school, “I dreamed of myself being engaged in international cooperation”- said Ayaka Matsumoto from the Japanese Red Cross Society as she spoke about her career path
“The Red Cross overcomes many things such as problems in politics and culture “. Her confidence in her career choice and pride in the work was motivating to the students who were planning their futures.
The forum was concluded with “SGH Student Presentations”
Students who visited overseas through SGH project’s like, “European Studies” and “African Studies”, gave presentations about the countries they visited and the challenges the locals face now.
“I was overwhelmed by the atmosphere at Auschwitz which I would not know about if I studied alone,” “Through interactions with the people there, I found differences but also some things in common,” “I want to do something more for this country.” Were some of the student reactions.
Presentations explaining the surprises and excitement about the difference between things they actually saw and things they researched beforehand were delivered to listeners.
After completion of all programs, a social gathering for the lecturers was held. In a congenial atmosphere, participants got to know each other better. They exchanged their opinions about the change in interest after students went overseas, and there were feelings of encouraging career development and connecting to the future of young people.
This forum gave an opportunity for lecturers and students to think together about working in the international arena. The students learned to take steps toward an international career, and received energy that helped push them toward a future in a global world.
【Lecturer profile】
Keynote Lecturer
Jun Kukita
Kwansei Gakuin University’s SGU Visiting Professor. Studied Master’s degree of Educational Psychology at Kyushu University Graduate School. Since 1985, he has worked overseas at the offices of the United Nations. Received World Bank President Award and the East Timor Medal.
Subcommittee 1
Jiro Takeichi
Belongs to JICA Finance Department Accounting Division. He joined in 1997 and worked in Sapporo, was stationed in Cambodia, and engaged in agriculture and rural development projects in developing countries. He is currently responsible for budget, financial results, and the development and operations of the accounting system.
Subcommittee 2
Atsutoshi Hagino
Graduated from Keio University Faculty of Law. Joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1994 and stayed 7 years in Romania. At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he worked as the Central and Eastern Europe Division’s Romanian official. He is now currently working for the international organization Human Resources Center.
Subcommittee 3
Tomomi Sekioka
IMF Asia Pacific Ocean Regional Office’s senior public relations manager. Through her experience as a reporter and public relations worker at Nikkei and foreign companies, she began working as IMF staff in 2010. Graduated from Waseda University Public Management Graduate School in 2012, with a Master’s in Public Management.
Subcommittee 4
Tetsuo Kondo
Delegate of the United Nations Development Organization. After completing his Master’s degree of Development Studies at university, he joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He began his activities with UNDP in 2001, and after working in Bangkok and Kosovo he took his current position from 2014. He is also a aprt-time lecturer at the University of Tokyo Graduate School.
Subcommittee 5
Akiko Taguchi
International Labour Organization Delegate. After graduating from Kyoto University Faculty of Law, she joined the Ministry of Labor (now the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare). She worked in the Women’s Bureau Women Policy Division as a planning officer and the statistical information unit as wage welfare section chief. She is in her current position after working as a public affairs research professor at Ritsumeikan University.
Subcommittee 6
Hideki Murakami
Deputy director at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization’s Investment and Technology Promotion Office in Tokyo. He was in responsible for overseas marketing of electrical manufacturing. After graduating from graduate school in the United States, he worked at a development consulting company, and now works as a UNIDO staff member.
Subcommittee 7
Mitsuko Ito
Executive Director and Secretary General of Japan Committee, Vaccines for the World’s Children (JCV).
After graduating Sophia University, she completed her degree at the University of London. In 1981, she joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She was in charge of United Nations agencies in various countries until her retirement
Subcommittee 8
Yasuyuki Fujino
Overseas division insurance and nutrition chief of Save the Children Japan. Worked at NPOs, private companies, and as a JICA staff member and worked in various countries. In his current position, he is in responsible for the overseas division Myanmar Secretariat
Subcommittee 9
Kohei Nakagane
Cabinet Office International Peace Cooperation Headquarters Secretariat Counsellor assistant. He worked for replenishment support activities in the Indian Ocean and anti-piracy off the coast of Somalia in the Gulf of Aden. Currently responsible for coordinating personnel in South Sudan as an international peace cooperation initiative.
Subcommittee 10
Ayaka Matsumoto
Training assistant manager at the Japanese Red Cross Society International Department Planning Division. After graduating from college, she joined the Japanese Red Cross Society. Experienced working in the international relief division and the public relations office following a temporary transfer to the International Committee of the Red Cross headquarters. Currently responsible for the human resource development of overseas dispatch personnel from Japan.