今回、総合テーマを「国際平和協力と市民の役割」とした。今、世界において国際平和への協力が緊急にかつ広く求められているが、各国の市民が果たすべき役割は何か。この課題に取り組むのが、今回のセミナーのねらいである。初日は総合テーマに沿った「基調講演」の中で問題提起がなされ、それを基礎に２、３日目に４つに分かれたセッションで講義および総合討論が行われる。それぞれ、総合テーマをふまえ、平和学、宗教史、市民運動の実践の立場から、三人の専門家の講義を聞き、さらに三人のパネリストによるパネル・ディスカッションを聞く。これらを通して国際平和への協力にあたり、市民が果たすべき役割を深く考えてみたい。

　セミナーは３泊４日の合宿形式で行われる。基本構成として、基調講演、講義に加えてグループ討論が行われる。受講生は内外の専門家を含む講師と親しく接触できるほか、留学生を含む受講生同士、さらにはプログラム委員の諸先生との交流も深めることができる。テーマに関心のある者で国際社会・地域での活動を希望する者であれば日本全国から応募できる。なおセミナー初日の開会式と基調講演は一般公開される。

The United Nations University (UNU) Global Seminars are aimed at deepening the understanding among students and young professionals in Japan of pressing issues that are the concern of the United Nations, its Peoples and Member States. Having started since 1985 in Shonan, the UNU Global Seminars have expanded to Kobe, Hokkaido, Okinawa, Shimane, Kanazawa, Tohoku areas as well as Seoul and Hawaii. Following the Hokkaido Session held in Hokkaido University of Education last year, the fifth Hokkaido Session will be taken place at the Hokusei Gakuen University in Sapporo city in 2005.

This year’s theme is "Working together for international peace and the role of civil society."

In the world seeking for the urgent cooperation for the international peace, the objective of this seminar is to ask ourselves what kind of role citizens of each country should play to achieve that goal. The issues around the main theme will be raised in the keynote speeches on the first day, and then will be developed in lectures and panel discussions with the expertise from peace studies, religious histories and practice of civil actions on 2nd and 3rd days, in order for us to draw some suggestion in the group presentation on the last day of the seminar.

This four-day seminar brings together distinguished scholars and practitioners from both Japan and abroad who will give lectures as well as engage in an active exchange with the participants. The format will consist of keynote speeches, lectures and group discussions. We welcome applications from throughout Japan from those who are interested in issues of global concern or are pursuing international or local community service-based careers. On the first day, the opening ceremony and keynote lectures will be open to the general public.