The 2010 UNU International Courses — 10 May to 18 June
Brochure and application forms now online
New Adventures
UNU and Dentsu Inc. Sign Agreement on Collaboration
UNU rector Konrad Osterwalder and Dentsu Inc. senior vice president Kotaro Sugiyama open the door to new adventures in collaboration. Photo: Curtis Christophersen/UNU
2009.11.12 • United Nations University and Dentsu Inc., one of the largest advertising and media companies in the world, today signed an agreement of collaboration on joint projects to "garner the wisdom of humankind from around the world" in the search for new values for the 21st century.
At the signing ceremony held at UNU Headquarters in Tokyo, Rector Osterwalder called the agreement "a door-opener for entirely new adventures, new ideas, and new perspectives."
Kotaro Sugiyama, Dentsu Inc. senior vice president, spoke of the importance of communications in changing the world and the need to spread good ideas globally. "The agreement will encourage young people in Dentsu to do bigger and better things," he said.
The newly established UNU Cultural Association, which advises the rector on cultural and creative matters, will coordinate the collaborative process, which includes the dispatching of Dentsu project producers to UNU to work closely with the association.
Global Seminar Series
UNU Holds Global Seminars in Namibia and Ghana
Participants at the UNU Global Seminar in Windheok, Namibia, October 2009. Photo: Simon Wilkie Photography.
2009.11.10 • The United Nations University recently held two global seminars in two African countries — Namibia and Ghana. The seminar in Windhoek, Namibia was hosted by the University of Namibia, from October 12 to 14 on the theme “Africa’s Natural Resources: From Conflict to Sustainable Development”. The seminar was attended by 40 students. The vice-chancellor of the University of Namibia, Professor Lazarus Hangula, delivered a keynote speech, and five other lectures were delivered by selected African scholars: Ben Okolo (South Africa); Victor Ojakorotu (South Africa); Martin Rupiya (Zimbabwe); Pempelani Mufune (Namibia); and Martha Mwandingi (UNDP, Namibia).
The seminar in Ghana was hosted by the University of Ghana, Legon, from October 20 to 22 on the theme “Strategies for Sustainable Development and the pressures of Globalization: Policy Challenges in Africa”. Fifty students attended the seminar. The dean of engineering sciences at the University of Ghana, Professor S. Sefa-Dedeh, delivered the keynote speech and 5 other lectures where delivered by invited African scholars: Kwame A. Domfeh (Ghana); A. Essuman-Johnson (Ghana); Kofi Quashigah (Ghana); Florence Adjei (Ghana); and Okey Ilofulunwa (Nigeria).
Both seminars were facilitated by Dr. Obijiofor Aginam, Academic Programme Officer, UNU Institute for Sustainability and Peace (UNU-ISP) who gave a presentation on the objectives of the UNU global seminars, and supervised the group discussion and presentation by the students.
UNU Rector Konrad Osterwalder Receives the 2009 Matteo Ricci Award
Konrad Osterwalder
2009.10.27 • UNU rector Prof. Dr. Konrad Osterwalder is the recipient of the 2009 Matteo Ricci International Award. Established in 1998 by the Faculty of Political Science of the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan, the award recognizes the unique contributions of individuals to bridge cultural and intellectual divides for the betterment of mankind.
Today's award ceremony marks the fourth time the Matteo Ricci International Award has been bestowed. The previous recipients are Archbishop Giuseppe Pittau (former rector of Sophia University), Fra’ Andew Bertie (Grand Master of the Soverign Military Order of Malta), and Father Gianpaolo Salvini (economist and editor of La Civiltà Cattolica).
Rector Osterwalder delivered a Lectio Magistralis at the award ceremony, continuing a tradition that began in 1989 with the institution of a Cathedra Magistralis (Professorial Chair) in the university’s Faculty of Political Science. Other eminent figures who have delivered a Lectio Magistralis include Jacques Delors (president of the Commission European Community, 1985–1994), Javier Pérez de Cuéllar (secretary-general of the United Nations, 1982–1991), Helmut Kohl (chancellor of the German Federal Republic, 1982–1998), and Romano Prodi (president of the European Union Commission 1999–2004).
The rector’s Lectio Magistralis, delivered in Italian, was entitled The United Nations University: For a Dialogue Between Cultures (L’Università delle Nazioni Unite per il dialogo tra le culture). The speech recognized the role of dialogue, justice, dignity, risk and responsibility as defining features of humanity. In this spirit, he pointed to the United Nations University’s founding charter which has among its objectives a focus on the “coexistence between peoples having different cultures, languages and social systems” and those “universal values related to the improvement of the quality of life.” Rector Osterwalder affirmed that the United Nations University is uniquely placed to encourage a dialogue of trust among cultures, necessary to arrive at viable responses to sustainable global development.
Speech:
The United Nations University: For a Dialogue Between Cultures (300 KB PDF)
L’Università delle Nazioni Unite per il dialogo tra le culture (304 KB PDF)
Presentation
The United Nations University: For a Dialogue Between Cultures (2.9 MB PDF)
Fiducia, sfida del mondo globale (Fabrizio Aurilia, Cattolica News)
UN Week 2009
United Nations Day (UN Day) is observed annually worldwide on 24 October to commemorate the founding of the United Nations in October 1945. To celebrate UN Day 2009, UNU presents a symposium on Friday, October 23 on the theme of Human Security and, along with UN agencies in Japan, welcomes everyone to outdoor activities, exhibitions and performances at United Nations University Headquarters in Shibuya.
Outdoor events will be held in the courtyard of UNU Headquarters from the morning and will include a farmers’ market selling local produce, an open café, a mini-theatre showing films from the UNU Media Studio, as well as exhibitions, workshops and performances.
Registration for this event has closed, however, there may be seats available on the day. Please be sure to bring photo ID with you if you attend.
African Perspectives
Hassan and Malo Deliver UNU Special Lectures on Science and Technology
2009.10.06 • As part of UNU’s continued focus on Africa, Professor Mohamed H.A. Hassan and Professor Joseph O. Malo delivered lectures on “Science and Technology: The African Perspectives” at UNU today.
Mohamed H.A. Hassan
Professor Hassan spoke on the theme of “Promoting Excellence in Scientific Research and Education for Sustainable Development in Africa,” emphasising the challenges, opportunities and action needed for scientific research and education in Africa. Professor Hassan is the executive director of the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS) and president of the African Academy of Sciences.
Joseph O. Malo
Professor Malo’s lecture was entitled “The Path to Sustainable Well Being: The African Perspective” and in it he focused on citizen engagement, capacity building and the role of universities and traditional and indigenous knowledge in improving science and technology in Africa. Professor Malo, based at the University of Nairobi, is chair of both the Kenya National Academy of Sciences and the Kenya National Association of Physicists. UNU vice-rector Professor Kazuhiko Takeuchi delivered opening and closing remarks.
Good Chemistry
UNU Rector Visits Shimadzu Headquarters
From left: UNU vice-rector Kazuhiko Takeuchi, chair of the Shimadzu Board of Directors Shigehiko Hattori, and UNU rector Konrad Osterwalder at Shimadzu headquarters, Kyoto, Japan. Photo: Fukuya Iino/UNU.
2009.10.05 • On Monday 5 October 2009, UNU rector Konrad Osterwalder and vice-rector Kazuhiko Takeuchi were warmly welcomed by Mr Shigehiko Hattori, chair of the Board of Directors, at the headquarters of Shimadzu Corporation in Kyoto, Japan. They were treated to a tour of the company’s manufacturing facilities which produces some of the world’s leading chemical analysis equipment.
As one of UNU’s longest-standing corporate partners, the Shimadzu Corporation has been a vital supporter of a UNU project to enhance environmental monitoring of water and air pollution in developing countries throughout Asia. The project, “Environmental Monitoring and Governance in the Asian Coastal Hydrosphere“ has been active since 1996 in eleven countries. More than 80 trainees have acquired chemical analysis and research capacities using equipment provided by Shimadzu. The fifth phase of the project runs from 2009 to 2011.
A Call for Proposals by UNU-MERIT
Research and Training Support to Build African Capacity in Science, Technology, and Innovation Indicators
2009.10.02 • The immediate objective of this Call for Proposals is to support the development of case studies of innovation processes in Mozambique, Rwanda and South Africa. Project teams of successful applications, once they have made progress with their case studies, will engage in training to learn techniques, approaches, and uses of science, technology and innovation indicators as part of the policy process.
This training will support the measurement and evaluation of domestic science, technology, and innovation capabilities in these countries, and more specifically build a critical mass of graduate students, researchers, and junior-to-mid-level policymakers with a strong understanding of the importance of linking various science and technology (S&T) capabilities in the country.
The deadline for applications is 30 October 2009.
2009 UNU/UNESCO International Conference
Africa and Globalization
Conference participants at the conclusion of the 2009 UNU/UNESCO international conference. Photo: Jeremy Hedley/UNU.
2009.09.30 • Monday, September 28 saw the opening of the 2009 UNU/UNESCO international conference at UNU Headquarters in Tokyo. The annual conferences examine aspects of globalization, and this year’s theme was Africa and globalization. Tetsuro Fukuyama, state secretary for foreign affairs of the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Masaharu Nakagawa, senior vice-minister of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, offered opening remarks, highlighting Japan’s continued engagement throughout the continent. UNESCO director-general Koïchiro Matsuura and UNU rector Konrad Osterwalder followed, setting a constructive tone for the sessions, held over two days, which followed.
Conference participants included experts from academia, civil society and the private sector as well as five former heads of state: António Ramalho Eanes (Portugual); Alpha Oumar Konaré (Mali); John Agyekum Kufuor (Ghana); Sam Nujoma (Namibia); and Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria).
A more detailed report, as well as participant presentations, texts and video, will be posted to the conference website shortly.
Global Challenges and East Asian Responses
Shonan Global Seminar Turns 25
Mr. Muto, director of the Kanagawa International Foundation, and Rector Osterwalder and Vice-Rector Takeuchi of UNU cut cakes celebrating 25 years of the Shonan Global Seminar. Photo: DNP Services/UNU
2009.08.31 • A celebration honouring the 25th Anniversary yesterday of the Shonan Global Seminar was held today at UNU in Tokyo.
The theme of this year’s session — “Global Challenges and East Asian Responses” — addresses the impacts of globalization on the region and the initiatives being taken by various actors in response to the challenges. The seminar programme includes sessions on geopolitical and economic issues, historical and cultural perceptions and on the roles played by the media and NGOs to foster a shared identity in East Asia.
The opening session was followed by two keynote lectures from professors William Tow and Kinhide Mushakoji (Former Vice Rector of UNU) respectively on “The pressing global issues in the 21st century and their impacts on the East Asian countries,” and “East Asia’s responses to the challenges of globalization.”
The seminar examines the issues identified by these lectures in the ensuing sessions to be hosted by the Kanagawa International Foundation at the Shonan International Village in Hayama. The session runs until 4 September.
New from UNU Press
HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa: Understanding the Implications of Culture & Context
Edited by Jean Baxen and Anders Breidlid
Popular understanding of the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Sub-Saharan Africa is riddled with contradiction and speculation. This is revealed in HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa, which explores the various contexts in which debate about HIV/AIDS takes place and examines how the pandemic is perceived by scholars, religious leaders and traditional healers, among others – in communities in and around South Africa. Using a social theory lens, the book focuses on not only the cultural and contextual practices, but also the methodological and epistemological orientations around HIV/AIDS in education that shape community and individual interpretations of this disease. Read more…
Download our 2009-2010 catalogue
(12 MB PDF)
UNU Lectures
U Thant Lecture Series
The U Thant Distinguished Lecture Series is a forum through which eminent thinkers and world leaders speak on the role of the United Nations in addressing the challenges facing the world’s peoples and nations in the twenty-first century.
Nansen Lectures
The Fridtjof Nansen Memorial Lecture is held annually in a number of capitals around the world to commemorate the birth of the Norwegian explorer, scientist, humanist and Nobel laureate, Fridtjof Nansen (1861–1930).
Fridtjof Nansen Lecture Series
Nagai Lectures
Named in honour of the late Dr. Michio Nagai, minister of education, science, and culture of Japan, these lectures provide a forum for eminent members of the international community to speak on issues related to education.
Sixth Michio Nagai Lecture (Video portal)
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Page last modified 2009.11.19.
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