TOPICS

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/

“---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 Wednesday, November 6, School of International Relations held a lunch session with College and Graduate School of International Relations students and faculty/staff members to exchange ideas for establishing better support for students from different cultural backgrounds.

For this time, the discussion focused on the Meditation Space located in the Koshinkan building.  School of International Relations set the Meditation Space in 2011 when College of International Relations started Japan’s first English based undergraduate program, “Global Studies Major” and expects to improve its international learning environment for future students.

In the session, participants shared various beneficial ideas on making the most of the space. Furthermore, the discussion extended to general topics such as Haral food, Ritsumeikan Co-op Cafeteria just started to provide it. 

School of International Relations hopes to improve the study environment for not only Muslim students but also other students from different cultural backgrounds. This kind of session is not only good opportunity to consider the learning environment but also the great learning opportunity for students to develop multicultural competence.


Global Studies Major: https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/eng/ir/
College of International Relations: https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/ir/
Graduate School of International Relations:  https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/gsir/

On Monday, September 23, the Ritsumeikan University Undergraduate?Graduate School Spring Graduation Ceremony 2013 was held at Suzaku Campus. There, 20 students from the College of International Relations and 20 students from the Graduate School of International Relations were awarded Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
At the University-wide graduation ceremony, Ms. Erin Chandler (U.S.A) gave a speech as the graduate student representative. Ms. Isabel Cabana Rojas (Chile) also gave a speech as graduate/undergraduate student representative 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.

The special website for Global Studies Major has been updated.  There, you can find the interviews of faculty members and current students, admission information and features of this cutting-edge English-based undergraduate program. We also have a Facebook page so please “Like” us and spread the word!

GS Major website  https://www.ritsumei.ac.jp/eng/ir/
GS Major Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/RitsIR

Global Simulation Gaming (GSG), the main event for the second-year students at the College of International Relations was held on June 29.
Global Simulation Gaming (GSG) is a type of virtual reality gaming of international relations. In GSG, all participants will put themselves into their respective actor roles (agents of international relations) and experience a simulated series of agenda-setting, policy formulation, negotiation and policy implementation processes within major trends of international politics and economics.
This year’s gaming theme is “food security.”  In preparation for the gaming event, students conducted preliminary studies in both single and joint class sessions.
At the GSG event which took place over a　whole day, students playing various international actors signed treaties on agricultural assistance and trade, reported about such issues via the media and newspapers, and actively engaged in negotiations. Despite the clash of interests among actors, students carried forward with negotiations and ended the day with feelings of accomplishment.