2021.03.30

UNAI MEMBER ACTIVITY REPORT 2020/2021

During the 2020/2021 reporting period, Kobe City University of Foreign Studies (KCUFS) undertook a number of activities that underscore its commitment to UNAI and its principles. The following examples stand out as particularly noteworthy:

1. Sustainability / Global Citizenship

1. Model United Nations

Kobe City University of Foreign Studies offered 3 Model United Nations (MUN) courses where students participated in 2 Model United Nations Conferences led by  Professor Lori Zenuk-Nishide, Associate-Professor Michael Hollenback and Professor Donna Tatsuki.

1.1 Though the National Model United Nations (NMUN) New York March 29-April 2, 2020 conference where the KCUFS delegation was to represent the Republic of Argentina co-partnering with Westfälische Hochschule in Germany in GA1, GA2, CPD, NPT, WFP was cancelled in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NPT delegates, Miu Kabayama and Rina Nakagawa; and WFP delegates Honoka Iwabe and Keisha Hikita received Outstanding  Position Paper Awards.

1.2 Though the National Model United Nations (NMUN) Japan 2020 that KCUFS was to host was postponed to 2022 due to Covid-19 pandemic, Secretary-General Miu Kabayama and Assistant-Secretary-General Takaaki Nagao who had been preparing since 2016 were commended by Izumi Nakamitsu Under-Secretary-General High Representative for Disarmament Affairs for being agents of change, planning and preparing  to lead NMUN 2020 which encompasses global citizenship and their focus on peace and disarmament. Kabayama and Nagao chose "Peace" as the overall NMUN conference theme in 2020  celebrating the 75th year of the United Nations and they  believed  reconsidering nuclear security in this conference was a priority, as 2020 was the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombings in Japan.  With their commitment to peace and disarmament, Kabayama and Nagao’s choice for the  4th committee for the NMUN conference was the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) Review Conference and the topics they chose were:

1) Practical Measures to Implement Article VI
2) Strengthening Measures for Nuclear Security

1.3. The 11th Annual Japan University English Model United Nations (JUEMUN) hosted online using many platforms by KCUFS and Kyoto University of Foreign Studies   May 24-June 28, 2020 for 136 students from 14 universities in Japan and Malaysia to mark the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations. 29 graduate, undergraduate and alumni students from Kobe City University of Foreign Studies participated as Under-Secretary-Generals, Chairs, Substantive Assistants, and Delegates. The 2020 Japan University English Model United Nations (JUEMUN) simulated 3 meetings on the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) on the Agenda: The Empowerment of Women. There were 12 draft resolutions focusing on the following topics: 1) Rural Women; 2) Domestic Workers and Migrants; 3) Low-skilled women; and 4) Executive Women (juemun.org).

1.4 The second conference was IMUNO (The International Model United Nations Online) hosted by Kobe City University of Foreign Studies on October 23-25, 2020.  Students from KCUFS and the NorthRhine-Westphalian Branch of the German United Nations Association (Deutsche Gesellschaftfürdie Vereinten Nation en–DGVNNRW) including universities in Germany, Austria and Lebanon attended online. IMUNO was  led by Secretary-General Miu Kayayama and Assistant Secretary General Takaaki Nagao along with Directors Haruka Jifuku and Yui Nakade. The Security Council Agenda was “Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict” and three draft resolutions were adopted. To commemorate the 75 anniversary of the  United Nations on October 24, IMUNO joined the UN75 initiative to “spark dialogue and action on how we can build a better world despite the  challenges we face” by sharing a video made by the participants.

2. Promoting Intercultural Dialog

2.1 On August 24th Lori Zenuk-Nishide’s NPO/NGO Studies Seminar hosted a virtual #UN 75 Youth Dialogue for students at Kobe City University of Foreign Studies for 90 minutes to discuss current global issues and a better future across the world. The recommendations and suggestions from the 6 questions given by the UN were sent to the UN to inspire future programs, initiatives, and actions on the 75th anniversary.

2.2 On November 17, 2020, Eritrean refugee Desale Tesfamariam, a doctoral candidate at Waseda University presented on “Refugees in Japan”. This was hosted virtually by Prof. Lori Zenuk-Nishide’s Seminar for students and faculty at Kobe City University of Foreign Studies

2.3 On December 12, 2020, members of Associate Prof. Naoka Maemura and Prof. Lori Zenuk-Nishide’s seminar students presented at the virtual 8th Annual SIETAR (Society for Intercultural Education and Training) Student Fair “Intercultural Experiences” hosted by SIETAR Japan Kansai Chapter. The students presented on NGO Assistance for Asylum Seekers in Kobe; Educational Support for Children Living with Disabilities; Fairtrade in Japan, Face-to-Face and online classes; and Japanese minorities.