Global Leaders・Internationally-Minded Students
In order to become global leaders, students must learn well from the wisdom and experiences of those who have gone before them. We’ve witnessed the emergence of brilliant and important global leaders in a rich variety of fields. They have made vital contributions in the fields of policymaking and business, sports, culture, service organizations and so forth. We endeavor to connect with and learn from some of these leaders in the course of implementing our SGH Associate social action projects.
Internationally Minded NIHS Students Interact Regularly with Global Leaders
【Global Leaders ⑦】
17th Lecture for International Understanding
On June 30th (Sat) at the 17th Lecture for International Understanding, Mr. Chris Glen, a Radio DJ and Advisor for Tourism in Japan gave a lecture on “Foreigners’ Perspectives on Japan.” Mr. Glen was able to grasp immediately the students’ hearts with his pop style and emotion. He mentioned that since he was little, his dream was to be a DJ, and he was also an exchange student in Japan, and that was when he really fell in love with the country. He told students the importance of being an international-minded person and the necessity of having a dream to pursue. In the Q&A, many students asked “how can we have a dream?” and “how can we become a respectful international person?” Finally, the president of the Junior High School student council, Kimura Grace Marika, thanked Mr. Chris for his speech on the importance of having a dream.
【Global Leaders ⑥】
16th Lecture for International Understanding
On June 23rd (Sat) at the 16th Lecture for International Understanding, Mr. Hitoshi Matsubara, Vice-President of Future University in Hakodate gave a lecture on “how should humans associate with the advancing artificial intelligence.” Mr. Matsubara is a pioneer in AI research, and he told that his dream as a child was to create a robot like Astro Boy. He talked about cutting-edge technologies and his own IA research. During the Q&A, students asked him “What kind of place do you think an AI need?” or “Who should take responsibility if an AI caused a crime or accident?”
At the end of the lecture, the Junior and High School council president, Kito Kitami, said “I had read a book written by Mr. Matsubara but now I finally got the chance to meet him.”
【Global Leaders ⑤】 JICA Technical and Vocational Education and Training
Opening of “Students and Global Leaders: Talking about Sustainable Development” 2015.11.5
As part of the JICA Industrial Technology Education Research program, a group of leaders from developing nations NIHS to talk with students about sustainable development issues. Our students introduced our social action projects to our distinguished visitors. It was an ideal opportunity for our students to learn the lessons they will need when they shoulder the responsibility for ensuring sustainable development in the near future. Professor Hiroshi Ito from Nagoya University of Business and Commerce, our partner university, joined the event in order to share his comments and to give our young students some good advice about acquiring a broad and international perspective in order to thrive on the international stage.
Activity 1: “Discuss the social problems that most interest or concern you.”
Activity 2: “Draw a picture of an “Ideal World” in which social problems have been solved.”
Activity 3: “Explain to the whole group what young people can do to make such a world possible.”
[Example: Message from a JICA Participant]
“We should help people living in developing countries and do our best to bridge the gaps.”
Countries Represented: Brazil, Cambodia, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Mexico, Myanmar, Peru, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tanzania, Zimbabwe
【Global Leaders ④】 Athens Olympics Athlete Kana OYAMA ･ NIHS Hockey Club 2015.8.14
The NIHS Hockey Club qualified for the national championship tournament in 2015. Team members were able to meet former Athens (2004) Olympic athlete Kana OYAMA in Niigata Prefecture, host of this year’s tournament. Oyama gave a motivational speech outlining the dispositions required for young people to flourish on the international stage. She emphasized the need to cultivate self-confidence and encouraged students not to be afraid of failing.
Note: Kana OYAMA was, from 2002 until 2009, Japan’s premier women’s volleyball athlete. She participated in the Athens Olympics in 2004. Japan’s women’s volleyball team placed 5th in those Olympics. She participated in world and Asian games as well and was long a recognizable figure on the world sports stage. She has since made contributions to the sports world as a commentator and ambassador at large whose efforts help to popularize her sport.
【Global Leaders ③】Kiyoshi AMEMIYA, President, Nikken, Inc. ･ Extramural Study 2015.7.21
Mr. Kiyoshi AMEMIYA, distressed by witnessing so many victims of anti-personnel landmines when he took a business trip to Cambodia in 1994, developed and patented much-needed demining equipment and promoted a “Peaceful World without Landmines”. He now conducts extensive peace education and lecture activities at schools and other venues. He has won many awards for his humanitarian work, including awards from Soroptimist Japan Foundation, a special UNMAPA award for contributions of technology and material in the effort to demine areas of Afghanistan, a UNIVERSAL Design Award, an Inspiration of the Year Award, a (UNDP) DEVENT Award and, most recently, a special Foreign Minister’s Award (2015).
1. Prior Research: Students did research on current conditions in Cambodia, paying particular attention to the landmine issues.
2. Discussion and Fieldwork: Students traveled off campus to meet with Mr. Amemiya. Students had a chance to ask him many questions about conditions in Cambodia, the children in Cambodia and the Cambodian economy. It was unique privilege for NIHS students to have the opportunity to meet with such an important source of insight into this major world issue. After the discussion, students were able to view some of the special heavy-duty demining equipment that Mr. Amemiya and his company have developed. It is of tremendous value to get a taste of the people and equipment being used on the front lines. It allows students to flesh out the lessons that they are learning at their desks and to give more meaningful answers to questions like: “What must be done?” “What dispositions should one cultivate to be effective?” From Mr. Amemiya, students heard these words: “Go out into the world. If you don’t, it will be invisible to you.” These words certainly struck chords in the hearts of our students. The torch will be passed to those now young. They will determine what social action the world requires. Learning this valuable lesson from one of the world’s great humanitarian leaders was a truly memorable and valuable experience for our students.
【Global Leaders ②】Aoyagi Coffee Factory Representative Director Shinya AOYAGI ･ KFC Activities 2015.4.1
Aoyagi Coffee Factory, located in Nisshin City in Aichi Prefecture, processes and sells Fairtrade, organic and otherwise sustainable coffees for use by businesses and individual consumers. It has developed strong links with other businesses and organizations and is committed to spreading the fair trade message. Mr. Aoyagi has worked closely with our students to develop an original NIHS fair trade coffee brand.
【Global Leaders ①】 Special Advisor for the New Partnership for African Development of the African Union Mieko IKEGAME ･ Lecture for International Understanding 2015.6.20
Ms. Mieko IKEGAME joined the United Nations system in 1980 and has held a number of important positions in the UN Secretariat, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Food Programme (WFP). In her latter role, she was responsible for WFP efforts in Pakistan and Bhutan. She introduced food lunches in schools in those countries. During her tenure, primary school attendance doubled for males and tripled for females. She made important contributions to the spread of education in those countries and received special awards from the governments of both. In 1995, she oversaw cooperation initiatives between Asia and Africa under the guidance of the UNDP. In 2002, she served in the Office of the Special Advisor on Africa (OSAA) and dealt with many issues, including conflict resolution. Recently, she has become a Special Advisor for the New Partnership for African Development of the African Union (AU-NEPAD). She is a visiting Professor at Yokohama University and also serves as a representative in New York of the Japan-United Nations Friendship Association.