UNITAR Youth Ambassadors open their eyes to the world
Aug. 1, 2012
The Hiroshima Office of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) launched its Youth Ambassador program in 2010 with the aim of broadening the perspective of high school students when it comes to diplomacy. The Youth Ambassadors interact with trainees from Afghanistan in Hiroshima, travel to Tokyo to visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nations University as well as the embassies of several nations where they meet foreign ambassadors.
Each year two students in Hiroshima, one boy and one girl, are selected. Applicants are asked to write an essay in English because UNITAR expects those interested in the program to use English to convey their motivation for applying. Forty-six applications were received the first year, and 48 the second year. Yuri Takeuchi, 18, who has an interest in international relations, served as a Youth Ambassador in the first year. She was inspired by the encouragement she received from a diplomat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who told her, “I wish you all the best for the future.”
Almost every month the UNITAR Hiroshima Office holds public talks on such topics as the reconstruction of areas that have suffered damage and the preservation of World Heritage sites. The talks are free of charge and are open to all, including junior high and high school students. Advance registration is required. (Ren Nonaka, 17, and Naho Shigeta, 13)
(Originally published on March 12, 2012)
Each year two students in Hiroshima, one boy and one girl, are selected. Applicants are asked to write an essay in English because UNITAR expects those interested in the program to use English to convey their motivation for applying. Forty-six applications were received the first year, and 48 the second year. Yuri Takeuchi, 18, who has an interest in international relations, served as a Youth Ambassador in the first year. She was inspired by the encouragement she received from a diplomat at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who told her, “I wish you all the best for the future.”
Almost every month the UNITAR Hiroshima Office holds public talks on such topics as the reconstruction of areas that have suffered damage and the preservation of World Heritage sites. The talks are free of charge and are open to all, including junior high and high school students. Advance registration is required. (Ren Nonaka, 17, and Naho Shigeta, 13)
(Originally published on March 12, 2012)
