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For the Fall Semester of 2025, we have invited Professor Michael Reiterer as a visiting professor.

Dr. Reiterer is Distinguished Professor at the Center for Security, Diplomacy and Strategy, Brussels School of Governance. He is also a former ambassador of the European Union to South Korea and Switzerland (ret).

In his undergraduate course titled "Special Lecture 【The Indo-Pacific Theatre – a European Perspective】", Dr. Reiterer offers insightful lectures on security issues in the Indo-Pacific region from a European viewpoint.

In addition to this undergraduate course, Dr. Reiterer is also teaching a graduate-level course titled "EU Foreign Policy in Times of Fragmentation and Contestation". Dr. Reiterer is scheduled to continue teaching both courses through the end of the Fall Semester in early January.

The Bangkok International Organization Training Program in Thailand was held from September 14 to September 20, 2025.

This unique overseas program of College of International Relations is coordinated by Prof. Sachiko Ishikawa, and the program aims to maintain and improve students’ motivation to work for international organizations while learning about the roles and work of international organizations, and importance of being in the field.

During this year’s program, students visited several key institutions in Bangkok, including UNHCR, UNICEF, UNESCAP, UNESCO, the Microsoft Thailand Office, and Chulalongkorn University.

At UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees), students learned about the current challenges faced in refugee support and the initiatives being undertaken to address them. The students exchanged their opinions on solutions to these problems.

At UNICEF (United Nations Children's Fund), representatives provided insights into their daily work and shared valuable advice about the competencies required to work in international organizations.

The session also featured a talk by Ms. Yui Walsh, an alumna of the College of International Relations and current UNICEF staff member working as a JPO (Junior Professional Officer). Hearing directly from a graduate working in the field gave students a rare and meaningful perspective.

At UNESCAP (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific), students learned about the missions and activities of various divisions through interactive quizzes and exchanged ideas with the staff.

During the lunchtime session, students heard about the staff members’ career paths and university experiences, gaining valuable advice and perspectives that are rarely accessible through regular coursework.

At UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), students joined a session with students from Chulalongkorn University to learn about UNESCO's work on the SDGs and issues related to World Heritage.

The session covered a wide range of topics including environmental issues, education, and gender equality.

At the Microsoft Thailand Office, students learned about real-world applications of AI and the essential skills needed to succeed in a fast-changing, technology-driven society.

At Chulalongkorn University, following mutual introductions of each university's efforts related to the SDGs, students were divided into groups for a collaborative group presentation. Each group proposed solutions to pressing SDG-related issues that both universities should address in the future.

The visit also served as a meaningful reunion, as students from Chulalongkorn University had previously visited Ritsumeikan University's Kinugasa Campus in July.

This wonderful training program was made possible by the network that Prof. Sachiko Ishikawa established during her time at UNHCR and JICA. It was very meaningful with a diverse range of students regardless of nationality, major, or class.

From Tuesday, August 5, to Friday, August 8, 2025, a training program was held in Hiroshima as part of the Peace Studies Seminar course. The objective of this domestic training program was to learn about the history of the Pacific War and the Atomic Bombing through fieldwork and to explore ways to contribute to peacebuilding. This year, Professor Kazushige Kobayashi coordinated the program, which included a variety of activities in Hiroshima City. 

A total of 14 students, regardless of their major or nationality, participated in this program. During the field trip, we visited the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, attended the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony for Atomic Bomb Victims, and participated in a symposium hosted by UNITAR. 

Additionally, students engaged in a discussion session with Associate Professor Toshihiro Higuchi of Georgetown University. Through these experiences, the students were reminded of the threat posed by nuclear weapons and deepened their understanding of peace.  

Moreover, through interactions with UNITAR staff, the program provided a valuable opportunity for students to gain firsthand experience in the field of peacebuilding activities within international organizations and to reflect on their future careers after graduation. The symposium, which focused on the theme "Youth Messages from Hiroshima to the World - Roadmaps toward a World without Nuclear Weapons and Sustainable Peace," offered participants a chance to think seriously about future international security. 

At the Lantern Floating Ceremony for the Atomic Bomb victims, all participants prayed for a peaceful future and vowed that such a tragedy would never be repeated. 

For the participating students, it must have been a memorable experience, as it provided an opportunity to learn from the tragic history of the past and to deeply reflect on peace, something that cannot be fully experienced in a classroom setting. Through such programs, the faculty will continue to focus on fostering students who are mindful of the future while deeply engaging with the lessons of the past.