This International Symposium identifying the future of International Relations (IR) invited two prominent speakers Professor Amitav Acharya (American University), the President of the International Studies Association (ISA), and Professor Hiroshi Nakanishi (Kyoto University), Vice President of Japan Association of International Relations (JAIR). This symposium held in the Kinugasa Campus – Soshikan Hall, on Sunday, May 18, 2014, co-hosted by the Graduate School of International Relations (GSIR) and the Ritsumeikan Global Innovation Research Organization (R-GIRO) research program namely "Research Core for Peace with Ritsumeikan Interdisciplinary Studies."

Professor Amitav Acharya’s presentation, titled: “Global IR and Regional Worlds Beyond Sahibs and Munshis: A New Agenda for International Studies," proposed an agenda of the future IR called the Global IR, which transcend the debates between so-called Western and Non-Western IR. Subsequently, Professor Acharya identified six dimensions and six possible research agendas as the basis of the Global IR. In principle, Global IR is either mutual learning between Non-Western and Western IR or an inclusive, an equal, and a constructive dialog between them symbolized by the relations between Sahibs and Munshis in the past.

Professor Hiroshi Nakanishi provided a very systematic presentation regarding the development of IR in Japan as well as the prospect of constructing the so-called Japan IR (J-IR). In his presentation, titled: “Discipline of IR in Japan: past, present, and future agenda," professor Nakanishi elaborated the progress of IR in Japan and offered models and researches agendas for the making the J-IR. Although the J-IR has not established yet, considering the development of IR in Japan so far, there is an expectation that the J-IR might be the center of “Asian IR dialogue” in the future.

Approximately 75 participants came from various universities in Japan attended and enjoyed both presentations that were intellectually inspiring and stimulating.

This event held in the Kinugasa Campus, on Friday, May 16, 2014, hosted by the Ritsumeikan Global Innovation Research Organization (R-GIRO) under research program namely "Research Core for Peace with Ritsumeikan Interdisciplinary Studies." The co-hosts are Ritsumeikan University's College of International Relations, the Global Civil Society Research Group at the Institute of Humanities, Human and Social Sciences. The workshop invited two speakers Dr. Juha Saunavaara (the University of Oulu, Finland) and Dr. Thomas French (Ritsumeikan University, Japan). The discussant was Professor Sugita Yoneyuki (Osaka University, Japan) and the moderator was Professor Adachi Kenki (Ritsumeikan University, Japan).

Dr. Juha Saunavaara’s paper, titled: "The Making of Postwar Hokkaido - Legacy of the Allied Occupation in Periphery," spotlights the process of recreating area in the allied occupation of Japan and figures out the extent the postwar era legacy has remained in the peripheral region namely Hokkaido. In particular, Dr. Saunavaara investigates the dynamics and the interconnectedness between the administration, the economy and the party politics in the making of postwar Hokkaido.

On the other hand, Dr. Thomas French highlights issues in the first years of postwar period in Japanese sea. Dr. French’s work, titled: “Dangerous Waters: The Mass Seizures of Japanese Fishing Vessels in Early Postwar Period," looks at the series of seizures of Japanese fishing boats by other states or governments during the allied occupation of Japan (1945-1952). As an ongoing research, his presentation provides historical significance, new interpretations, and further questions to the facts surrounding the seizures of fishing boats in the postwar years.

Both speakers and discussant shed lights on the other sides of the occupation time in the Japanese history by actualizing aspects that so far have been neglected. Undoubtedly, these two analysis have, to some extent, represented new frontiers in the studies of the allied occupation of Japan.

Approximately 20 participants attended and listened attentively to the resourceful insight and detail material of both speakers that are inspiring and intellectually stimulating. Participants asked questions one after another and enjoyed the lively discussions.

　This Talk was held in the Kinugasa Campus, on Thursday, May 8, 2014, co-hosted by the Graduate School of International Relations (GSIR) and the Ritsumeikan Global Innovation Research Organization (R-GIRO) research program namely "Research Core for Peace with Ritsumeikan Interdisciplinary Studies”. This Talk invited special speaker Professor Claire Turenne-Sjolander from University of Ottawa, Canada.

　Approximately 70 participants attended and listened attentively to Professor Turenne-Sjolander’s resourceful insight and detail material. Attendance asked questions one after another and enjoyed the lively discussions.

Graduate School of International Relations.

https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/gsir/eng

Link R-GIRO research program "Towards New PeaceStudies."

https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/research/r-giro/eng/projects/peace/peace_studies.html/

For more information, please read

https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/ir/db/student/pdf/Sumarry_of_Public_Talk.pdf

The Graduate School of International Relations, Ritsumeikan University, program was recently selected as one of “The International Priority Graduate Programs （PGP）Advanced Graduate Courses for International Students” by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT).

The Graduate School of International Relations, Ritsumeikan University, program “Global Cooperation Program for Japan and ASEAN linkage “ was recently selected as one of “The International Priority Graduate Programs （PGP）Advanced Graduate Courses for International Students” by MEXT.

PGP started in FY 2006 as one of the initiatives by MEXT to support “the globalization of Japanese universities.” The program aims for Japanese universities to implement the following policies or to have a system enabling the implementation of the following policies in the global higher education market:

Understand the exact needs of partner countries/regions and international students, make efforts to actively and effectively receive outstanding international students and offer the unique educational research services and follow-up support of Japanese universities.

 A total of 72 Japanese national, public and private universities applied for PGP. Following the screening, the programs of 37 universities out of 41 universities (including the programs of all three private universities) were selected.

On Friday, March 21, the Ritsumeikan University Undergraduate and Graduate School Fall Graduation Ceremony 2013 was held at Kinugasa Campus. There, 292 students from the College of International Relations and 23 students from the Graduate School of International Relations were awarded Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. At the University-wide graduation ceremony, Ms. SOH, HUI TING (Singapore) gave a speech as the undergraduate student representative. Mr. Tomihito Morimoto (Japan) and Mr. DERRY APLIANTA (Indonesia) also gave speeches as graduate/undergraduate student representatives at the departmental ceremony. Many family members and friends of graduates, faculty and staff members were there to celebrate. Graduates will soon start their new careers here in Japan and around the world.

This seminar was held on the Kinugasa Campus, co-hosted by the Graduate School of International Relations (GSIR) and the Ritsumeikan Global Innovation Research Organization (R-GIRO) research program namely "Research Core for Peace with Ritsumeikan Interdisciplinary Studies." This seminar titled “Xi Jinping and His Years Ahead: Is China changing the world or is it a status-quo power?" invited special speaker Professor David Arase from Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Professor Arase highlighted China rules establishing Chinese power and norms in East Asia. Professor Arase also unfolded how the rise of China has been the most spectacular process in contemporary international relations. More importantly, how has China’s Foreign Policy developed and how the continuity and change from Deng Xiaoping era, Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao, and the most current one under Xi Jinping’s administration was discussed intensively in this forum. Regarding China’s foreign policy development, not only has regional and international setting influenced China’s perception towards the world, the present domestic dynamics of China are also identified affecting significantly to the extent of China assertiveness and behavior in regional and international arena. The most interesting aspect of Professor Arase's argument is the extent of China has utilized its history to project their current foreign policy: the dream of the past has guided China’s contemporary foreign policy. The conclusion of the seminar includes some policy recommendations to handle China's growing capabilities and power, which has been elevated to a core political issue throughout East Asia and the world. More than 45 participants coming from various Universities in Kansai filled the room. Listening attentively to his resourceful insight and detail material, participants asked questions one after another and enjoyed the lively discussions.

Graduate School of International Relations https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/gsir/eng/

From Tuesday, January 21 to Saturday, January 25 for five days, Yukio Takasu, current Under-Secretary-General, United Nations and also a Visiting Professor of International Relations on Kinugasa Campus, gave a series of lectures titled “Peace-Building and Preventive Diplomacy” to international and Japanese students.

In the lectures, students learned how the role international community should be played towards major threads of international security using keywords such as “Peace Building” and “Preventive Diplomacy” from the perspective of having worked at the United Nations. Rather than passive interest, students actively exchanged their opinions and held discussions. The final lecture ended with massive applause.            

 * Professor TAKASU serves as Under-Secretary-General, United Nations.　He has been teaching at the Graduate School of International Relations,Ritsumeikan University since 2011.

“---The Future of Africa, 今、アフリカを考え直す。---“ was held on Fri,January 24 in the Koshinkan building at Ritsumeikan Kinugasa Campus.
This lecture was arranged by the International Studies Association.
Mr. Naoki Ishihara facilitated this lecture where Dr. Papa Saliou SARR Assistant Professor at the Center for African Area Studies (Kyoto University) discussed “Agricultural Research and Improvement of Local Livelihood in Sub-Saharan Africa: Case study of the SATREPS-FOSAS Project, Cameroon”.

Students from Africa (Madagascar, Uganda, Djibouti) study at our graduate school. It was a good chance for other students to learn about Africa.

This lecture aimed to increase awareness of what is happening in Africa today among Japanese students. Many undergraduate and graduate students attended this lecture and actively participated in discussions.

On Tuesday, November 19, the International Organizations Open Seminar was held titled “Introduction to JICA and Japan’s ODA －toward Inclusive and Dynamic Development－” featuring a lecture by Kyoko Kuwajima, Visiting Professor of the Graduate School of International Relations on Kinugasa Campus.  
Professor Kuwajima discussed on JICA based on her vast hands-on experiences in the international organization. Around 40 students participating actively asked questions one after another. Many students expressed their wish to have these seminars more often in the future.

On Wednesday, November 6, 2013, a special seminar titled “Changing Dynamics of Indonesia's Foreign Policy” with special speaker Dr. Rizal Sukma was held on Kinugasa Campus, co-hosted by the Graduate School of International Relations and the R-GIRO research program, "Towards New Peace Studies."

Dr. Rizal Sukma is Executive Director at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Jakarta. He has worked extensively on Southeast Asia, Security Issues, ASEAN, Indonesia Defence and Foreign Policy, Military Reform, Islam and Politics, and Domestic Political Changes in Indonesia. He was named one of 100 Global Thinkers 2009 by Foreign Policy magazine (US). He is also the first Indonesian to receive the Nakasone Award, which he did in July 2005.

Dr Sukma highlights how has Indonesian Foreign Policy has developed, its continuity and changes. Most importantly, Dr. Sukma elaborated why Jakarta places ASEAN as a corner stone of its foreign policy and how Indonesia emphasizes the importance of its strategic partnership with major powers such as Japan, South Korea, and the US.

More than 30 participants from various universities in Kyoto filled the room. Participants listened attentively to Dr.Sakuma’s first-hand information, asked questions one after another, and enjoyed the lively discussions.