When a group of Indonesian students at Nagoya University saw the approaching 35th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, they took advantage of the opportunity to make a difference. Despite most of the world having signed and ratified the Convention, there are still many places where children cannot exercise these rights due to war and poverty. Working through their student association, these international students organized a seminar that brought together several speakers from different backgrounds to discuss issues related to children's rights.
Dean of GSID, Professor Yuzuru Shimada, and Ms Sachiko Hiramitsu, Secretary General of the Aichi Association for UNICEF, giving opening addresses
The Graduate School of International Development (GSID) hosted the seminar. Committee members teamed up with GSID and the Aichi Association for UNICEF to invite Japanese and international speakers, including JICA representative Keiko Osaki and GSID Project Assistant Professor Alla Olifirenko from Ukraine, along with local high school students from different backgrounds.
Ms Keiko Osaki, Prof Suzuki and Prof Olifirenko delivering their presentations
The seminar provided participants the opportunity to hear several perspectives on children's rights. Sachiko Hiramitsu, Secretary General of the Aichi Association for UNICEF, spoke about how local advocacy groups can work to protect children's rights. Her group conducts educational sessions in elementary, middle and high schools in Aichi Prefecture. Sessions focus on making children aware of their rights and highlighting the difficult conditions facing children around the world. They also aim to raise awareness among children and inspire them to take action to protect the rights of themselves and their peers. Ms. Osaki from JICA discussed Japan's Maternal and Child Health system, which they have introduced in several countries, including Indonesia and the Philippines. This system was first implemented in Japan in 1940 and now serves as a model to ensure that both mother and child receive the care they need before and after a child is born. Assistant Professor Suzuki Yoshitaka from Gifu University discussed education for children with disabilities in Japan and Indonesia, emphasizing the importance of creating inclusive education environments. Meanwhile, Professor Olifirenko used the example of Ukraine to explain how war affects children's rights and the role of international and national laws.
Students from the Nagoya University affiliated high school give their thoughts on chlidren's rights
In addition to the specialists mentioned above, the event also emphasized the voices of young people by including presentations from Japanese, Egyptian, and British students from the Nagoya University Affiliated Junior and Senior High School. These students addressed contemporary issues affecting their peers, including bullying, online safety, and the pressures of academic streaming systems.
This seminar contributed to the debate on children's rights. It also highlighted how international students at Nagoya University take active roles in addressing global challenges through local action. By organizing this event, these Indonesian students exemplified the mission of GSID of nurturing globally minded leaders capable of addressing international development challenges. Their success in bringing together diverse voices and perspectives provides a model for future student-led initiatives at Nagoya University.