2020 falls on the 75th anniversary of both the atomic bombing and the founding of the United Nations. In order to commemorate this year, the United Nations is encouraging people worldwide to engage in discussions looking towards the future.

In response to this initiative, we will hold the global peace dialogue event, “UN 75 in Hiroshima”. A senior UN official and participants chosen from among the public will discuss ways to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and an agenda for disarmament announced by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.

We have closed the application procedure for the participants and audiences of UN75 in Hiroshima. Thank you very much for your interest and applications.

See the event report

See the schedule of the selection

The Webinar Audience

(Background)

In order to create a sustainable global society, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were formally adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 25 September 2015. Under the SDGs, we are tackling the world’s urgent environmental, political and economic issues, in order to realize a sustainable society by 2030. But with the increase in global military spending and the arms race intensifying, we are short of the funds necessary to put an end to poverty, promote universal healthcare and education, combat climate change, and protect the earth.

In this context, UN Secretary-General  António Guterres announced a new disarmament agenda in May 2018. This agenda emphasizes the adherence to the SDGs, of which, the following are closely related to disarmament:

Goal 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Goal 4: Quality education

Goal 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Goal 8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all

Goal 11: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies

(Reference)

・SDGs (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/)

・Address by UN Secretary-General António Guterres

 (https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/speeches/2018-05-24/launch-disarmament-agenda-remarks)

・An agenda for disarmament (full text)（https://www.un.org/disarmament/sg-agenda/en/）

In this event, we would like the participants to discuss the relationship, current and future, between the SDGs and the closely related disarmament.

In his address, UN Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the current severe situation, and his hopes that younger generation would become the most important force in changing the world.

We are looking forward to your applications.

※【UN75】

・In January 2020, the United Nations launched UN75.

・The UN75 initiative encourages all the people in the world to engage in dialogue for the future on how we can build a better world despite the many challenges we face.

・UN Secretary-General António Guterres is calling all the people in the world for participation in the process, saying “We need your opinion, your strategies and your ideas for us to be able to deliver better for the people of the world that we must serve.”  

・He will present the views and ideas that are generated to world leaders and senior UN officials at a high-level event on 21 September to mark the Organization’s 75th anniversary. 

・UN75 (https://www.un.org/en/un75)

Program Overview

Host: Hiroshima Prefecture

Cooperating bodies: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs , Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, and the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC)  

Supporting body: The United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR)

Date: 13:30-15:30 Thursday, August 6, 2020 

Venue: Hiroshima City or online

Theme: “How does disarmament contribute to the realization of the SDGs?” 

Guest speaker: Ms. Nakamitsu Izumi, UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs

Moderator: Professor AKIYAMA Nobumasa, Hitotsubashi University

Participants: Approximately 10 people who reside in Japan

･Participants will make proposals in English, to discuss “How does disarmament contribute to the realization of the SDGs?” in “UN75 in Hiroshima”.

･It is possible that the event will be changed from in person to online discussions, in order to prevent the spread of the COVID-19. In such a case, participants will be asked to join the event online at home.

･After the event, we may ask participants to report on the event through means such as submitting to us a written report, posting on SNS, holding a briefing session, etc.

･This event will be open to the public and we will choose the audience from among the public separately.

Guidelines for applicants *Closed*

The number to be accepted

Approximately 10 people

Application requirements

Applicants must meet all of the following conditions.

1. Applicants must reside in Japan on the day the event is held.
2. Applicants must have a strong interest in the realization of global peace (activities of the United Nations, nuclear abolition and the SDGs, etc.) .
3. Applicants must be able to carry on an active discussion in English.
4. Applicants must have access to a computer and the internet.

How to apply & Deadline

* We have closed the application procedure. 

1. Application

Please mail or submit the following documents by online to the Peace Promotion Project Team, of the Hiroshima Prefectural Government (see below for the address).

(1) Application form (Please download here)

Application Form

(2) Proposal:

Topic: “How does disarmament contribute to the realization of the SDGs?”

Language: English

Word count: 1500 words

Rather than requests for actions by the UN or the international community, we are looking for concrete proposals which address issues such as who should play what role in achieving the SDGs through disarmament.

(3) A copy of a certificate to prove your English proficiency (Only if you have taken tests such as the STEP, TOEIC or TOEFL, etc.)

Please mail these documents to

Peace Promotion Project Team, Hiroshima Prefectural Government

10-52 Motomachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima-city, Hiroshima Prefecture, 730-8511, JAPAN

TEL +81 (0)82-513-2366, FAX +81 (0)82-228-1614

2. Application deadline

   Friday, July 17, 2020 | 17:00 (Japan Standard Time)

（1）First screening (screening of the application documents)

We will consider your reasons for applying, your self-promotions, and your proposal on “How does disarmament contribute to the realization of the SDGs” (in English) in the application form.

All applicants will be notified of the first screening results by email by Thursday, July 23, 2020.

（2）Second screening (interview in English)

We will interview those who passed the first screening in English as follows.

 ･Date: Saturday, July 25 – Sunday, July 26, 2020.

 (Monday, July 27, 2020 is reserved)

･Interview method: Skype or other means online

 When applicants are notified they passed the first screening, more detailed information about the interview will be provided.

（3）Final screening

 We will choose the participants based on the first and second screenings

（4）Announcement of the selection results

All applicants will be notified of the selection results by email by Tuesday, July 28, 2020.  If this event ends up being conducted online, there will be a test run (during July) and a rehearsal (Tuesday, August 4, 2020), in order to ensure proper internet access. All participants will be required to participate.

（5）Cancellation of participation

Even after an applicant has been selected as a participant, if they engage in an inappropriate act or suffer a significant health issue, the host reserves the right to cancel said individual’s participation.

Participation fees

Costs covered by Hiroshima Prefecture

(1) Accommodation expenses (when deemed necessary)

 (Participants residing in Hiroshima can stay at designated accommodations on August 6^th, one night)

(Participants residing outside of Hiroshima may stay at designated accommodations August 6^th-7^th, two nights)

(2) Food expenses: On the day of the event, one breakfast, one lunch and one dinner.

(3) Travel expenses: Travel costs to the venue (calculated by Hiroshima Prefecture’s standards)

(4) Other expenses: Document fees, examination fees (admission fees etc.)

※Expenses are calculated based on Hiroshima Prefecture’s standards.

Costs covered by participants

Personally necessary expenses during the event

(Medical expenses for injuries or illness, etc.)

At this Webinar event, participants selected by public recruitment and UN Under-Secretary- General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Ms. Nakamitsu Izumi, will discuss the SDGs, which are closely related to disarmament, the relationship between them, the current situation, and the future of the future. You can apply for the audience of this online webinar.

*Simultaneous interpretation available in Japanese and English

(Simultaneous interpretation will be provided by voice. If you need hearing support, please fill in the request box when applying, or contact us at the following inquiry.)

Deadline: August 3^rd(Monday) 17:00