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/

1月24日（金）13時～14時30分、国際関係学会が主催する講演会、「今アフリカで何が起こっているのか」が開催されました。
本研究科石原直紀教授が司会を務め、京都大学アフリカ研究センター助教授のDr.パパ. S氏による南部アフリカにおける農業セクター開発と現地住民の生活状況の改善－カメルーンのSATREPS-FOSASプロジェクトを事例にーといったテーマで講義がなされました。
国際関係学部・研究科ではマダガスカルやジブチ、ウガンダなどアフリカからの学生も共に学んでいます。アフリカの現状を一人でも多くの日本人に知って欲しいという研究科クラス会の呼びかけから、テーマに興味のある学部・大学院生が集まり、熱心な議論が行われました。