School Lectures by Diplomats

Learning to respect different ethnicities, faiths, traditions and customs is an essential part of creating unity in diversity. Collaborating with over 100 foreign embassies in Japan, the Goi Peace Foundation coordinates lectures by diplomats in schools and universities as a program for Global Citizenship Education.

Global Learning Program for School Children

In elementary and secondary schools, lectures by diplomats offer students a global learning experience. Through direct interaction with a nation’s representative, children broaden their perspective to appreciate different cultures, traditions and customs, and at the same time, deepen their understanding of their own country from a comparative viewpoint.

“Cultural Diversity in a Globalized World”
Lecture Series by Ambassadors at the Gumna Prefectural Women’s University

Respecting and understanding other cultures is an essential precondition for any constructive dialogue between peoples. Since 2005, the Foundation has been co-sponsoring a course at the Faculty of International Communication at Gunma Prefectural Women’s University, inviting ambassadors of different countries as guest lecturers to address topics such as effective communication in diplomacy and approaches to peace-building in the globalized world.

In addition to the ambassadors, NGO representatives and experts in peace-building are also invited as lecturers.

While this course is a part of the formal curriculum, the general public is also welcome to attend the lectures free of charge. Each class is 90 minutes including time for Q&A.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the entire 2022 Lecture Series was cancelled. Thank you for your understanding.  

2019 Lecture Schedule

Date Lecturer Theme
May 14 Mr. Hiroo Saionji
President of the Goi Peace Foundation
Introduction: “Dawn of the Era of REIWA and Creating Peace”
May 21 H.E. Mr. Manlio Cadelo
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of San Marino
The Republic of San Marino and Japan
June 4 Ms. Sayoko Terada
Chairperson, Kokkyo naki Kodomotachi (Children without Borders) Japan
Children Whom I Have Encountered
June 11 H.E. Mr. Ayman Aly Kamel
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Arab Republic of Egypt
Current Situation in Egypt and Expectations for Japan
June 18 H.E. Mr. Jacek Izydorczyk
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Poland
100 Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Poland and Japan
July 2 Ms. Govher Berdiyeva
Attaché of the Embassy of Turkmenistan
Turkmenistan as a permanently neutral state
July 16 Ms. Natsuki Yasuda
Photo journalist
Work to Convey through Photos:
From Disaster and Conflict Scenes
July 23 Ms. Megumi Nakamura
Special Assignment (External Relations), Japan Association for UNHCR
The Role of UNHCR: What We Can Do for Refugees
July 30 H.E. Dr. Grant R. Pogosyan
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Armenia
Discover Armenia
October 1 Dr. Yasushi Akashi
Former Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations
Surviving in Multi-cultural World
October 29 H.E. Mr. Harold W. Forsyth
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Peru
Peru – Japan Facing global challenges
November 5 Ms. Rumiko Seya
President, Japan Center for Conflict Prevention
How We Should Tackle Conflicts and Terrorism: Works for Conflict Prevention and Peace Building
December 3 H.E. Mrs. Faalavaau Perina Jacqueline Sila-Tualaulelei
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Independent State of Samoa
Peace and Security in the Globalized World
December 10 Mr. Masaharu Kono
Government Representative of Japan
TOKYO 2020: Ideal and Reality of Peace
January 14 Mrs. Randrianjafy Tsilavo Maherizo
Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Republic of Madagascar
Madagascar: Asian Culture in Africa

Contact information for Gunma Prefectural Women’s University