Master’s Summer School for Global Citizenship and Peace

Master’s Summer School for Global Citizenship & Peace 2023

 

1 -10 August 2023, hosted by Hiroshima University


Program Overview

The Master’s Summer School for Global Citizenship and Peace is a unique immersion program hosted by Hiroshima University in Japan.

The summer school prepares a group of international students to live and learn as engaged global citizens, providing students with a working knowledge of global citizenship and peace with a focus on cross-disciplinary problem, solving of real-world political, economic, social, and cultural problems. Workshops are delivered by Faculty from across INU member universities, with expertise across a range of disciplines relating to the theme.

The 10-day program includes lectures, case studies and small group discussions. The program also offers field trips to local attractions and cultural learning experiences, and culminates in a United Nations role play where groups of students represent different countries, and negotiate to pass a draft resolution.

The program also includes attendance of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony on 6th August.

The Master’s Summer School coincides with the International Student Seminar for Global Citizenship and Peace program for Undergraduate students and follows a similar theme and program, however Masters’ students are asked to participate in a paper presentation in addition.

The program features:

  • Pre-readings and preparation of a paper to be discussed with the group;
  • An intensive educational program with lectures and workshops with students from across the globe;
  • Academic experts and guest speakers from around the world;
  • United Nations General Assembly Role Play;
  • An integrated cultural program that introduces a unique side of Hiroshima, which includes a visit to the Peace Memorial Museum and admission to attend the annual Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony on 6 August.

Theme for 2023

Each year, the Master’s Summer School addresses a different theme.  In 2023, the theme of the summer school is on Climate Emergency and Action.

‘Climate Emergency and Action’

Over the last year, two important factors have converged in articulating one of the most immediate global crises. On the one hand, the broader shift from a paradigm of climate change to one of climate emergency highlights the need to re-evaluate globally our engagement with alternative, sustainable energy sources. Civil society participation has seen the development and mobilisation of global networks of action at unprecedented levels. A grass-root campaign-driven Climate Emergency Declaration has already been adopted within over forty countries. Increased emphasis is being placed on shifting patterns of production and consumption towards more sustainable grounds, with sustainability education and increased regulatory practices providing important ‘carrot and stick’ incentives. The global relevance of these issues is highlighted in the way they permeate the entire UN Sustainable Development Agenda. Two of the Sustainable Development Goals focus explicitly on addressing the climate emergency: Affordable Energy (Goal 7), and Climate Action (Goal 13), while several others embed within them clear goals to pursue bio-diversity (Goals 14 and 15), sustainable technology and communities (Goals 9 and 11), etc.

On the other hand, within this broader trend, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia has exposed the volatility deriving from the reliance on traditional energy sources. As highlighted in a report by the World Economic Forum, the conflict has had seismic effects globally. Energy price and supply volatility (and their financial and economic consequences) are felt world-wide, with poorer countries bearing the brunt of these consequences. States have stepped up their engagement with energy policy changes with conflicting trends emerging: on the one hand, there is a renewed push towards renewable energy and technology, while on the other, there is regress through a return – in the short term – to coal use.

The purpose of the seminar is to explore current geo-political climate debates with a view to evaluate local, regional and global dynamics concerning energy security, sustainability and development.

You can view the full list of past International Student Seminar themes since the seminar first started in 2006 here.

Pre-course assignment

In preparation for the course, graduate students write a 4000-word paper on one of four topics related to the theme of the program, which they present during the Masters Summer School.  The themes for the paper will relate to the overall theme of the Master’ Summer School which changes each year.

Eligibility

Graduate students in the relevant field and from an INU member institution are eligible to apply.

Application and Selection Process

Each INU member universities will invite their students to apply to participate, usually in February-April.  Please do contact the INU Council Member at your University  to express your interest in participating, or contact the INU Coordinator for further information:  inu@kingston.ac.uk

Practical Information

Students will stay in the same hotel, close to the Summer School venue at Higashi Hiroshima campus.  The hotel is booked for students by Hiroshima University, however the cost of the stay is to be covered by the students themselves.

The course guide, reading lists and travel information for the participants will be shared by email with selected students.  The INU coordinator will be organising this information and will be happy to help you with any questions that you have.

Questions?

Please do contact the INU Coordinator: inu@kingston.ac.uk

Highlights

“This was my first UN Role Play experience, and it gave me a greater understanding of gobal issues, especially when focusing on food and water insecurity”

“Amazing and eye-opening”

“An incredible experience to have been able to share, learn and exchange with fellow students and teachers from all over the world and with different background”