ISSUE47: SEPTEMBER-DECEMBER 2007
network of research and training centres/programmes
Ceremony marks end of International Courses for 2007
The 2007 UNU International Courses concluded with a ceremony held at UN House in Tokyo June 29, a day after students attended a reception with the Emperor and Empress of Japan. Forty-seven students completed this year's courses, which examined conflict and peacebuilding, environmental change, globalization and multilateralism, and international trade and development.
IC director Professor John Clammer delivered opening remarks. Noting the wide diversity of students — selected from 35 countries, including four from Japan — he praised the students for their close work together and reminded the audience that difference is an enriching quality.
He encouraged the students to share the knowledge and experience they had gained during their six weeks in Tokyo, saying that UNU is not one of those universities that seeks to keep its knowledge secret.
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UNU Rector Hans
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On behalf of UNU, Professor Clammer thanked the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of the Environment, the National Museum of Japanese History, the students' homestay families and the UNU Women's Association for their help in organising activities and excursions during the courses. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs assisted with crucial visa support, and the Japan Foundation for UNU provided financial support.
Addressing IC students for the last time as Rector, Prof. Hans van Ginkel said that while the IC courses have always provided a period of intense study over the nine years of their existence, UNU has also tried to maintain variety in their thematic focus because "universities shouldn't repeat themselves."
After the awarding of certificates to the students, representatives from each of the four courses delivered farewell speeches and recollections of the courses, one remarking that what sets them apart is being able to immediately see how issues are perceived and interpreted through different eyes.
© 2007 United Nations University