国連大学グローバル・セミナーは、国連を取りまく地球規模の諸問題について、学生や若い社会人の方々の関心と理解を深めることを目的に全国７地域で毎年開催しております。
第５回目となる今年の沖縄セッションは、沖縄県との共催で「人権の今、そしてこれから」をテーマに、変わりゆく国際情勢における人権の理論と現実を考察します。市民の生活上や国家の政策上のみならず、経済的、社会的、文化的といった広範囲の問題において、人権は、持続可能な平和と発展、そして人間の充足感のためにも不可欠なものと考えられます。しかし異なる文化背景においては、理論と実践の両面で、その範囲と正当性について激しい議論が展開されています。
以上のことを念頭に、本セミナーは国内外の専門家が見識と経験を参加者達と分かち合う場となるでしょう。講義とともに、全体討論や、2日目に特別に組んだワークショップ、そして少人数のグループ討論において、人権についての理論上の考え方における最近の進展、および、女性、子供、障害者、少数者の人権の現状、そして人権を促進するにあたっての国連や非政府組織（NGO）の活動やメディアの役割について考えます。このようにこのセミナーでは、人権における最近の問題についての理解を深めるだけではなく、国際社会のみならず、国や地域社会における人権の今日の実態について正しい認識をもってもらうことを目的としています。
他の地域におけるグローバル・セミナーと同様、講義は英語もしくは日本語で行われますので両方の言語力が必要です。なお、初日の基調講演は一般公開で通訳がつきますので、多くの方々のご聴講を歓迎します。国際問題に関心のある方、国際社会で働きたい方には、知識を深め、分析力を高め、議論の進め方を学ぶ絶好の機会となるでしょう。
The United Nations University (UNU) Global Seminars are aimed at deepening the understanding among students and young professionals in Japan of global problems that are the concern of the United Nations, its member states and their people. Annual seminars are held at seven locations throughout Japan.
Under the theme of Human Rights: Where do we stand today?, the fifth annual UNU Okinawa Global Seminar, organized jointly with the Okinawa Prefectural Government, will explore the theory and realities of human rights in a changing global context. With their broad coverage of economic, social and cultural as well as civil and political issues, human rights can be considered essential for sustainable peace, development, and human fulfillment. However, human rights, both in theory and practice, are also at the centre of a heated debate concerning their scope and their validity in different cultural contexts.
Against this background, leading experts on human rights from Japan and abroad will share with seminar participants their insights and experience. Lectures and discussions in the plenary, during a special workshop on the second day of the seminar, and in small group settings will focus on recent developments in theoretical thinking about human rights; on the practical implementation of human rights in a number of specific areas, including women's rights, children's rights, the rights of persons with disabilities, and minority rights; on the work of the United Nations and non-governmental organizations; and on the role of the media in promoting human rights. The seminar thus aims not only to provide participants with a thorough understanding of current issues in human rights, but also to familiarize them with the immediate practical implications of human rights not only on the international, but also on the national and local levels of society.
As is the case with UNU Global Seminars held elsewhere in Japan, the lectures will be given in either English or Japanese. A profound understanding of both languages is therefore required. Interested members of the public are cordially invited to attend the keynote speeches on the first day of the seminar, during which simultaneous interpretation will be provided.
For those of you who are interested in issues of global concern or plan to pursue an international career, the seminar will serve as an excellent opportunity to deepen your knowledge and to sharpen your analytical and discourse skills.
