‘Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation’ – The International Student Seminar 2025!
In August 2025, over 50 students from 10 INU member universities around the world attended the INU’s flagship student program, the International Student Seminar for Global Citizenship and Peace. The theme, focused on “Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation”, bringing expertise from across INU member universities, with speakers and group facilitators this year from our universities in USA, Spain, Germany, Indonesia, Sweden and Japan.
Students followed a program of workshops, group work, keynote talks, peace events and excursions. The program was structured around four workshops; “Theory and Practice of Nuclear Weapons in International Relations”, “Nuclear Politics in the Contemporary World: Dilemmas, Implications, and Global Dynamics in Asia”, “Europe at a Crossroads: Nuclear Deterrence and the Future of European Security” and “The Role of Nuclear Power in the Energy System for a Sustainable Future”, as well as keynote talks.
In 2025, INU students were honoured to receive the keynote talk from the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Mr Mimaki from Nihon Hidankyo. Mr Mimaki spoke to our students about their tireless efforts to abolish nuclear weapons. Students had the privilege to see the Nobel Peace Prize medal he received in Oslo as well as hearing from Peace Ambassador, Ms Natsuki Kai, a high school student who has been campaigning alongside Nihon Hidankyo. Ms Kai advocates for increasing youth participation in politics to help young people assume more responsibility for a peaceful future.
In addition, the plenary lecture on the United Nations sets the scene for the historic complexities of such an organisation in solving international problems, including peace-keeping and conflict resolution. An integral part of the program is the United Nations Role Play. At the beginning of the program, students are allocated a country to represent and work in multicultural groups to prepare for a United Nations General Assembly Role Play at the end, practicing the art of negotiation and international diplomacy along the way.
The seminar program is designed to coincide with the 6th August commemoration of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, and participants have the privilege of attending the official Peace Memorial Ceremony in Hiroshima, which is a powerful and memorable experience. In addition, students hear the personal testimony of Ms Keiko Ogura, atomic bombing survivor, who was just 8 years old when the atomic bomb was dropped on the city in 1945. Ms Ogura’s personal story makes a huge impact on participants, and brings to life the stark realities and horrors of nuclear weapons on civilians, which last for decades. Ms Keiko’s address was followed by a talk on the work of the Radiation Effects Research Foundation (RERF) from Ms. Preetha Rajaraman.
As well as building intercultural awareness and empathy amongst students through the Japanese culture session and group work sessions, the program includes a presentation on “Cultivating Global Mindset and Promoting Global Citizenship in the VUCA Era” to highlight our cultural differences and to foster a spirit of understanding and respect between participants. Students also explored the Beliefs, Events, and Values Inventory (BEVI) with support from Professor Hajime Nishitani (Hiroshima University), and received their results at the end of the seminar.
Outside of the classroom, students undertook excursions to Miyajima Island and the Peace Memorial Museum as well as sampling local food specialities such as okonomiyaki and exploring cultural and historic sites, art museums, and of course, karaoke!
The program culminates with a United Nations General Assembly Role Play, and the draft resolution focused on ‘‘Nuclear Disarmament and Non-Proliferation’ with countries negotiating throughout the program to gain support for their proposed amendments to the resolution. After many lively debates and negotiations between the students representing their allocated country, the draft resolution was passed!
INU’s International Student Seminar for Global Citizenship and Peace continues to prove itself to be a transformational experience, where students learn not only about other cultures, but also about themselves. Participants step out of their comfort zones, thrive amongst the cultural diversity and interdisciplinary groups and have new eye-opening experiences and importantly develop friendships which will last a lifetime. With many, many thanks to our Academic Chair of the Student Seminar, Prof Dr Carmen Thiele, European University Viadrina Germany and to our colleagues at Hiroshima University for being such excellent and hospitable hosts!
“It was the most informative, moving, and exciting experience of my life”, Madison Livengood, James Madison University
“I will leave Japan transformed, enriched with new knowledge, shaped by unique experiences, connected with lifelong friends, and carrying memories I will cherish forever courtesy of INU 2025” Kevin A. Sanya, Malmö student
“The INU Seminar was an enriching experience that expanded my knowledge, built lasting connections, and deepened my understanding of global perspectives” Alejandra Martinez, Osnabrück University, Germany
“It was an incredibly enriching and life-changing experience. I had the opportunity to connect with people from diverse cultural backgrounds, gained valuable insights into nuclear weapons and the current global armament landscape from diverse perspectives, and, most importantly, deepened my understanding of Japanese culture and Hiroshima’s history.” Ariadna Vives, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Spain
“It has been an amazing experience for me, and I will never forget this seminar. I am very happy to have participated in it. This seminar has given me the opportunity to think from multiple perspectives, to understand many cultures, and to develop a more global academic mindset.” Chihiro Ikita, Hiroshima University, Japan
“I’m beyond grateful and happy to be a part of this amazing journey, it’s been such a nice experience meeting people from so many different places and learning new things! All the laughs, stories, and tears—I will never forget how precious these moments are—and I’ll always carry them in my heart wherever I go ♡” Talitha Salim, Parahyangan Catholic University, Indonesia
