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.

Programme Committee Members Isao NAMIHIRA President, Okinawa International University (Chair) Masaaki GABE Professor, University of the Ryukyus Janet M. D. HIGGINS Professor, Okinawa University Kazuhito MOTOYAMA Professor, Okinawa Women's Junior College Kiyoshi NAKACHI Professor, Meio University Masaru NAKAMOTO Assistant Professor, Okinawa Prefectural University of Arts Shigeru NOZAKI Professor, Okinawa Christian Junior College Masaki SHINJO Professor, Okinawa Prefectural College of Nursing Makiko SHO Assistant Professor, Okinawa International University Makoto TSUCHIYA Professor, University of the Ryukyus Yoshiyuki UEHARA Director, Scientific & Academic Affairs Office, Okinawa Prefectural Government Birgit PONIATOWSKI Academic Programme Officer, United Nations University

Steering Committee Members Yoritaka HANASHIRO Director General, Department of Planning & Development, Okinawa Prefectural Government Yoshiyuki UEHARA Director, Scientific & Academic Affairs Office, Okinawa Prefectural Government Birgit PONIATOWSKI Academic Programme Officer, United Nations University

Requirements for participation: The seminar is open to Japanese and foreign students enrolled at Japanese universities (undergraduate and graduate students), irrespective of their major. Young professionals interested in the seminar theme are also welcome, although those working in the subject area are not admissible. Participants are required to understand both English and Japanese, as lectures will be delivered in either language. Simultaneous interpretation will be provided only for the public keynote lectures. Date: 18th (Thursday) - 21st (Sunday) December 2003. The seminar starts on 18th December at 1:00 p.m. and ends on 21st December after lunch. Further details will be communicated to the participants directly. All participants are expected to stay for the entire duration of the seminar. Venue: Keynote Speeches: Okinawa Women’s Comprehensive Center "TIRURU" (11-1, 3-chome, Nishi, Naha-city, Okinawa) Reception: Loisir Hotel Okinawa (2-1, 3-chome, Nishi, Naha-city, Okinawa) Seminar: Wel Sunpia Okinawa (1688 Shinzato, Sashiki-cho, Shimajiri-gun, Okinawa) Number of participants: 70 Fee: The participation fee of Yen 30,000 covers accommodation, meals, and seminar documentation, but does not include travel expenses to and from the seminar site. Foreign students who do not receive a full scholarship for their study in Japan may apply for a waiver of the participation fee. Certificate: Each participant will receive a UNU certificate upon successful completion of the seminar. Application: Please complete the application form, writing a brief essay explaining your reasons to apply for the seminar on its reverse, and send it to the following address by post, fax or e-mail. The form [MS WORD/PDF] can also be downloaded from the UNU website shown below. Secretariat: UNU Global Seminar Okinawa Session United Nations University53-70, Jingumae 5-chome, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-8925 Tel.: 03-3499-2811 Fax: 03(3499)2828 E-mail: gsokinawa@hq.unu.edu Homepage: http://www.unu.edu/globseminar/ Office hours: Mon.〜Fri. 9:30−13:00/14:00−17:30 Deadline for application: Wednesday, 15 October 2003 Notification of Selection: Applications will be reviewed by the Programme Committee. Successful candidates will be notified at the beginning of November.

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