Start of the Pilot Program for Human Resource Development in Asia for Peacebuilding

September 18, 2007

On September 15 (Sat), the Pilot Program for Human Resource Development in Asia for Peacebuilding (commissioned by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, secretariat located in the Hiroshima Peacebuilders Center), started in Hiroshima. Those who are concerned with the program including Japanese and other Asian trainees attended the commencement ceremony. Mr. MACHIMURA Nobutaka, Minister for Foreign Affairs, conveyed a message to the event. Mr. Kenzo Oshima, Former Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Japan to the United Nations and Ms. Carolyn McAskie, Assistant Secretary-General for Peacebuilding Support Office (PBSO), delivered keynote speeches.
The coursework, mostly to be held in Hiroshima, includes special training sessions with element lectures from both Japan and overseas, and joint workshops with five different organizations*, after which joint diploma are to be issued. There will also be symposia in Hiroshima on September 29 (Sat) and in Tokyo on October 31 (Wed). After the coursework, an overseas on-the-job training program will take place in field offices of international and other organizations in various parts of the world from November to March next year.

* Folke Bernadotte Academy (Sweden), Pearson Peacekeeping Centre (Canada), UNHCR, Regional Centre for Emergency Training in International Humanitarian Response, United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), International Center for Transitional Justice (ICTJ)

(END)