Oku-Inoue Commemorative Youth UN Visit
2019/3/27
On March 26th and 27th, eight Japanese junior and senior high school student winners of a national speech and essay contest visited the Permanent Mission of Japan through the “Oku-Inoue Commemorative Youth UN Visit Program”.
This program was originally developed by Ambassador Katsuhiko Oku in 2001 during his tenure as director of the UN Policy Division in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Tragically, Ambassador Oku and his colleague, First Secretary Mr. Inoue, later fell victim to a terrorist attack in Iraq in 2003. In their memory, and to commemorate their striving for peace and the reconstruction of Iraq, this program took their names beginning in 2005.
On March 26th, Ambassador Hoshino provided the students with an overview of the United Nations and other international organizations, explained the foreign policy of Japan at the UN, and outlined efforts to increase the number Japanese staff working at the UN. Students on the program raised questions on a number of issues, such as whether the change in Japan’s ranking among contributors to the UN budget had impacted the mission’s work.
On March 27th, Ambassador Kawamura shared his personal experiences serving as a diplomat and described the nature of his work at his current post, the Japanese Mission to the United Nations. He also answered questions posed by the students on various topics, including Japan’s evaluation from United Nations member states, and refugee programs.
During the program, students visited the US Mission, Iraq Mission and UNHCR where they were briefed by officers about their unique roles and the work of their respective organizations. Students also enjoyed a luncheon with Japanese UN staff and participated in a Q&A session, asking how best to achieve their future ambitions and what the staff themselves were like when they were students.
3/26 lecture given by Ambassador Hoshino
3/26 Students visit UNHCR office in NY
3/27 Students visit Iraq Mission
3/27 lecture given by Ambassador Kawamura
This program was originally developed by Ambassador Katsuhiko Oku in 2001 during his tenure as director of the UN Policy Division in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Tragically, Ambassador Oku and his colleague, First Secretary Mr. Inoue, later fell victim to a terrorist attack in Iraq in 2003. In their memory, and to commemorate their striving for peace and the reconstruction of Iraq, this program took their names beginning in 2005.
On March 26th, Ambassador Hoshino provided the students with an overview of the United Nations and other international organizations, explained the foreign policy of Japan at the UN, and outlined efforts to increase the number Japanese staff working at the UN. Students on the program raised questions on a number of issues, such as whether the change in Japan’s ranking among contributors to the UN budget had impacted the mission’s work.
On March 27th, Ambassador Kawamura shared his personal experiences serving as a diplomat and described the nature of his work at his current post, the Japanese Mission to the United Nations. He also answered questions posed by the students on various topics, including Japan’s evaluation from United Nations member states, and refugee programs.
During the program, students visited the US Mission, Iraq Mission and UNHCR where they were briefed by officers about their unique roles and the work of their respective organizations. Students also enjoyed a luncheon with Japanese UN staff and participated in a Q&A session, asking how best to achieve their future ambitions and what the staff themselves were like when they were students.
3/26 lecture given by Ambassador Hoshino
3/26 Students visit UNHCR office in NY
3/27 Students visit Iraq Mission
3/27 lecture given by Ambassador Kawamura